Marlboro Board Of Education Election 2024: Brian Cohen

MARLBORO, NJ — Marlboro’s general election on Nov. 5 has six candidates running for three open seats on the Marlboro Board of Education.

Candidate Brian Cohen is running for one of three seats on the board with Nirav Kadakia and Jenna Corraro. Opposing candidates include Danielle Bellomo, Gill Iny and Aldo Patruno.

Are you running for the Board of Education in Marlboro? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Marlboro Patch.

Brian Cohen

Age: 57
Town of residence: Marlboro
Education: BS in Computer Science from St. John’s University and JD from Touro College, Jacob D, Fuchsberg Law School
Occupation: Vice President, Center for Digital Education

What drove you to seek public office?
What drove me to seek public office is my deep commitment to public education and my belief in the importance of community involvement.

Marlboro has provided my family with exceptional educational opportunities, and I want to give back by ensuring our school district continues to thrive. Growing up with influences like my grandfather, a dedicated public servant, and my stepfather, a college instructor, instilled in me a passion for both education and service.

My career in public service, including nearly three decades in educational leadership and technology innovation, has equipped me with the skills to contribute meaningfully to the Marlboro Township Board of Education.

I want to use my experience to help address the operational and academic challenges we face, create innovative solutions, and ensure our schools excel for all children in our community.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart from the other candidates is my extensive experience in public service, technology, and education.

I have over 30 years of leadership in public education and government, including leading major technology initiatives across the City University of New York’s 25 campuses and supporting NYC through pivotal moments like Y2K and the 9-11 Recovery.

My background includes managing significant budgets and overseeing educational innovations that have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of students and educators. In my current position, I have expanded and built national partnerships to support K-12 and higher education leaders, giving me unique insights into both local and national challenges in education.

I believe that a successful school system is built on the foundation of strong leadership, accountability, and a focus on students' needs. With my proven track record of fostering partnerships, creating innovative solutions, and driving progress, I am uniquely qualified to lead our school district through both its challenges and opportunities. I don’t just talk about improving education; I have dedicated my career to it.

My experience, skills, and community focus make me a candidate with the ability and dedication to truly make a difference for Marlboro schools and our children.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Marlboro, and how will you resolve it?
The biggest issue facing Marlboro is ensuring that our schools provide the highest quality of education while managing limited resources effectively and efficiently. Marlboro’s educational opportunities have greatly benefited my family, and I understand the importance of maintaining a strong school system that meets the needs of every student.

I would focus on three key areas: accountability, transparency, and community engagement.

My extensive experience managing budgets and operations in large public institutions, such as the City University of New York, has equipped me with the tools necessary to scrutinize spending, prioritize investments, and hold the administration to the highest standards. I plan to leverage this experience to ensure that Marlboro’s $100 million annual budget is used in ways that directly enhance our children’s education and well-being.

In addition, I would emphasize the importance of transparency in decision-making processes. Our community should have a clear understanding of where resources are being allocated and the rationale behind these decisions. By fostering open communication between the school board, administration, and community members, I aim to rebuild trust and encourage collaborative problem-solving.

Finally, I believe in taking advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead for our school district.

Whether it is adopting new technologies, improving extracurricular offerings, or addressing facility upgrades, I will work diligently with other board members to identify innovative solutions that can advance the quality of our students’ education.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
My past accomplishments and experiences make me highly qualified for a position on the Marlboro Township Board of Education.

Aside from living in Marlboro for 13 years, and understanding our community, my career in public service and education has given me a broad range of experiences that I believe will serve our Board, schools, and community well.

I led New York City through significant challenges, including the Y2K transition and supporting the city’s recovery after 9/11. As Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at CUNY, I supported the needs of 225,000 students and 50,000 employees, managing an $80 million annual operating budget and a $300 million capital budget, while driving IT innovations across 25 campuses.

These experiences have provided me with the skills to navigate complex systems, implement strategic initiatives, and ensure that educational institutions function effectively and efficiently.

In my current role as Vice President for the Center for Digital Education, I collaborate with K-12 associations, superintendents, and IT leaders nationwide to expand educational programs and establish strategic partnerships.

My focus is on raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and addressing common school district challenges. By exploring new opportunities and sharing best practices, I hope to help school districts effectively tackle the most pressing issues facing K-12 education today.

My 21 years of service on the NYSERNET board of directors, including serving as an officer and chair of the finance committee, demonstrate my ongoing commitment to supporting educational organizations and enhancing technology in education.

These leadership skills, along with my experience in financial management and fostering partnerships, position me well to help Marlboro’s school district navigate its challenges and seize opportunities. I am dedicated to ensuring that we hold ourselves to high standards, address operational issues effectively, and create the best possible environment for our children to succeed.

I am committed to the success of Marlboro schools and children, and I am ready to put my experience to work to help guide our school district. I look forward to helping make a difference in our community.

Name one thing about Marlboro that always makes you smile.
I love how connected the Marlboro community is to one another.

Everywhere you go in town, you are bound to see friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, business owners, and the people who serve every day. Those expected but random meetings always bring a smile to my face.