Meet The 2019 Jefferson Board Of Education Candidates

JEFFERSON, NJ — Three seats are open on the Jefferson Board of Education this year, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

Four candidates are running for three open three-year terms on the board. We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were asked to keep answers to a maximum of 200 words each. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted.

Not all candidates submitted photos.

Matthew Millar

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

After three (3) terms as a Jefferson Township Board of Education member, I believe that being on the school board is one of the most important responsibilities a person can have. I find this job exciting, rewarding and challenging. I enjoy working collaboratively with other board members and administrators to ensure our students are successful.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge that school districts need to address is how to be more fiscally responsible without compromising education. Fiscal responsibility is what public officials owe every taxpayer. We need to embrace and accept the challenge of losing state aid. We cannot ignore it. All spending choices must be made intelligently and always with the taxpayers in mind along with what is best for the students/athletes.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

The three words that I would use to describe myself would be passionate, optimistic and honest.

I am passionate in my beliefs and convictions. I will never compromise my principles.

In a world where there is too much negativity, being optimistic defines a true leader. In my nine years on the Jefferson Township Board of Education, I have met each challenge with a “can do” attitude. I still believe in the old saying that “Honesty is the best policy.” People want leaders who are trustworthy and honest.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My education consists of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from William Paterson University and I have a Master Degree in Education from Seton Hall University. I know and understand how important education is in our society. A leader is someone who has a strong sense of community and volunteerism. Since I moved to Jefferson Township this has been my mantra. I have served on the Little League Baseball Board and the Youth Football Board. I have also volunteered as a basketball, baseball and football coach. Donating your time to the community is not only self-rewarding but most importantly, it is helping the town thrive in more ways than you can imagine. I have been employed in law enforcement for over twenty-three years. Fourteen of them have been in a supervisor capacity. This experience and training have given me the knowledge and ability to address any situation. When you combine my educational background, love of the community and law enforcement experience you get an effective leader.

Michael Stewart

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I have been a resident of Jefferson Township since 1986. I am retired so I have the time to work to see that my community continues to educate its students at a high level. Our students are learning 21st century skills which have been incorporated into all areas of the curriculum. We have tripled the number of AP classes from eight to twenty-four since I have been on the Board; we established a concussion protocol for all JTHS athletes including the cheerleaders. We have also added STEM classes and robotics classes. The schools have been made safer and more secure. We have funds from the referendum that the Board must oversee. I want to continue to help lead Jefferson to be better and better.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

I must start with the truth that it takes the Board as a whole to address problems. Without a majority of the Board, nothing happens. The two biggest challenges the School Board cannot alleviate. The NJ Department of Education reworked the equation determining how much support they will give each school district. Unfortunately, it works out that Jefferson will lose cumulatively more than $20,000,000 over the next seven years. We have already lost $1,500,000. Additionally, Jefferson is faced with a decreasing student population and state support tends to follow the population. Possibly the Board could place ads in some media inviting people to move here. The third problem can be addressed by the Board: we are losing students to the Morris Vo Tech academies. As those students leave, the state money follows them. What we can do is show those students and their parents that they can get the same level of education if they stay in the district.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

You asked for three words, not three phrases, so I would say friendly, experienced, and objective.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I cannot point to any one experience as preparation for effective leadership. Without trying to relate my whole life, I can mention a couple of examples: my time in the Army leading men in land surveying. I and my group were always chosen for important tasks because we were the best group. We were the best because I encouraged and enabled them and they responded which made me look good. The second example is that I was a teacher (intro to computers) for two years. During that time I got students to do their work for me when they would not or would grudgingly do work for other teachers. The jobs required that goals were established along with the steps needed to reach the goals. In these positions I had to make sure that we followed guide lines properly and that we had all of the material necessary to do the job.

Adele Wildermuth*

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I am passionate about maintaining high level of standards in our schools as well as being sure our students and teachers are treated fairly.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge I see is coming together as a community to address the budget challenges

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Passionate

Creative

A leader

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I’ve been a marketing director for a major pharmaceutical company for a number of years with major responsibilities in budgeting, leader ship and strategic planning

In addition I have a degree in education and a family that is dedicated to the public school system

Dylan Terpstra

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

The district needs real representation from young people on the board. I will listen to students, teachers and faculty, and parents and act on their behalf. I do not have some kind of extensive agenda. I do not think any of the candidates really do. We all want the best for our kids. My goal is to empower other young people and inspire them to run for office, because they can! I will also be happy if I can inspire other parents to run who wouldn't do so otherwise. The transformation of a board takes more than one candidate. It takes more than an election. It can take numerous elections with slates of new empowered candidates. So I will not lie and promise you all the world. My goal is to get involved and share my perspective as a recent JTHS graduate when making decisions. I envision the beginning of a new era in civic engagement in our town. I understand the time and financial constraints a position like this can carry. Somebody needs to do it and I commit to being that catalyst. I urge you to vote for me, and only me, to increase our chance in success, because regardless of the outcome, at least 2 of the 3 incumbents will win.

I want our kids to understand the importance in the electoral process because the power is with them. The people have the power and indifference is our greatest enemy. The school board is allocated a majority of YOUR property taxes, so we need to make sure that public officials are held accountable by the involvement of people like you.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing us is budgeting. We have lost a lot of money from the state and will lose a lot more in the coming years. Cuts will be made and funds will be allocated differently, that is a fact. I think what is important is to have a voice present in these discussions that represents students and young people with the coming changes.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Empathetic, Fun, and Caring

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I graduated from JTHS in 2017 and I am currently double majoring in Political Science and Public Administration. One of my current classes is literally called Ethical Public Service. I have a ton of experience on campus from being elected the current Chief of Staff to Student Government, a former Senator and leadership roles in other clubs. I have interned with a Congressman and worked for the US Census Bureau. My experience in high school and collegiate track and field has taught me to work hard and my jobs like the internship, with the census bureau, and at Little Nicki's in town have taught me to get tasks done independently. I am and will always be a strong believer in public education and I am vehemently opposed to charter schools.
I will put the experience I have together with the experience that I hope to gain on the board to be a productive member in deliberation.