Election 2021: Maysee Jacobs For Eatowntown Board Of Education

EATONTOWN, NJ – Current Eatontown Board of Education member Maysee Jacobs is running for re-election this Tuesday. Learn more about the candidate below.

Name: Maysee Y. Jacobs

Town: Eatontown, New Jersey

Occupation: Public Policy Administration

Education: Chapman University, Orange, CA. Degree: B.A. Social Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Degree: Master of Public Administration

Family: My family and I have lived in Eatontown for 15 years. My husband grew up here, and we are raising our children here. Our youngest child attends Vetter School, and our oldest is a graduate of Eatontown Schools and now attends Biotechnology High School.

Why are you running?
As a parent, I am active in the PTA and have volunteered at many events throughout the years. Being on the Board of Education has allowed me to have a role in the policies that benefit all our students. I want to continue ensuring that our students have the finest educational experience possible and that they are well prepared for the future.

As a current School Board Member, I am on three committees: Finance, Educational Resources, and Social, Emotional Wellness, and Equity. All three committees have been very active and have made improvements to the district. Right now, maintaining continuity is very important because we are facing unprecedented challenges. I would like another term to help our students and district emerge from this pandemic and state aid reductions without additional harm.

What is your platform?
1) Enhance student achievement across curriculum. Equity should be at the center of our schools, and we must support all our learners, i.e., special education, honors program, English Language Learners, and Gifted & Talented students. Each group has its own unique needs and learning level, which deserves our full investment.

2) To have an efficient, balanced budget ensuring that all students have equitable access to educational resources;

3) Social, Emotional Wellness, and Equity to support our students, teachers, and staff, especially during this pandemic environment.

Do you have previous experience in the world of politics and government?
I have worked at all levels of government. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Federated States of Micronesia, representing the U.S. and developing educational programs for schools. For over 18 years, I have worked and held many roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. My current position allows me to provide technical assistance to states, ensuring that federal rules and regulations are interpreted and implemented appropriately.

What are the most important issues facing your constituency, and how do you plan to deal with it?
I think the most important issues right now are school aid reductions and the pandemic.

Our district has creatively balanced the school budget each year since state aid reductions went into effect. As the Finance Committee Chairperson, I plan to work collaboratively with our school administrative staff and leverage their expertise to continue balancing the budget for the rest of the expected years of state aid reductions.

This pandemic is an unprecedented challenge, and our district has taken appropriate actions to resolve the ever-changing issues. I plan to work with the rest of the Board Members and school administrative staff to ensure that we continue to stay current and informed. We can do this by being transparent and inclusive because this pandemic affects all of us; our children, parents, teachers, school staff, and community.

Why should voters vote for you?
1) Public service experience. I’ve worked at the local, county, state, and now the federal level. I understand how government functions and the importance of working collaboratively to serve our community. My Master of Public Administration program taught me to manage complex organizations and serve the public good. In addition, to be an effective Board Member, I made sure to timely complete all required New Jersey School Boards Association trainings to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do my job successfully.

2) Current Eatontown Board Member. Right now, maintaining continuity is very important because we are facing unprecedented challenges. Our students need someone who has the experience and background knowledge of issues facing our schools. The candidate should also understand the expectations and functions of the Board in handling these issues. I have been a Board Member for the last three years and can meet these expectations. I am asking for your vote to have another term to help our students and district emerge from this pandemic and state aid reductions without additional harm.