Marlboro Board Of Education Election 2024: Nirav Kadakia

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

Candidate Nirav Kadakia is running for one of three seats on the board with Brian Cohen 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.

Nirav Kadakia

Age: 45
Town of residence: Morganville (Marlboro Township)
Education: Masters in Science (MS)
Occupation: Director, Engineering

What drove you to seek public office?
I never envisioned myself running for public office, but the growing challenges within our Board of Education have compelled me to take action.

In recent years, I’ve witnessed increasing negativity from the community directed toward the Board, along with concerning infighting and unprofessional behavior within the BOE itself. Unfortunately, this has shifted our focus away from what truly matters: providing our children with the best education possible and ensuring they have the tools to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.

As a father of two young daughters in elementary school, I felt we needed to make changes to ensure they along with their classmates are afforded the best education. I firmly believe that meaningful change requires proactive leadership. Instead of waiting for others to step up, I realized that my experience, passion, and deep investment in this community make me the right person to drive positive change.

I am committed to ensuring that Marlboro remains a place where every student has access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed. I am excited to be running alongside two other great candidates in Brian Cohen and Jenna Corraro as Partners Improving Education (PIE).

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
With nearly 25 years of experience in the private sector and over 15 years in leadership roles within the technology industry, I’ve honed the skills necessary to solve complex problems, manage large-scale projects and budgets, and establish clear goals through the development of effective Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

My leadership experience has been focused on mentorship, relationship building, and creating policies and procedures that drive organizational success.

What distinguishes me from other candidates is my ability to approach challenges with a data-driven, analytical mindset. I rely on thorough analysis and measurable KPIs to ensure that we are making informed, effective decisions.

These strengths allow me to assess performance objectively and ensure that our schools are continually improving throughout the academic year.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Marlboro, and how will you resolve it?
There is a significant issue within our Board of Education, where internal conflicts have hindered the ability to function cohesively and make meaningful progress. The ongoing infighting has led to a lack of productivity and focus, preventing the board from addressing the critical needs of our schools.

Our district is facing declining education standards, as evidenced by decreasing test scores and a drop in our school rankings within the state. We have lost sight of our core mission: to provide education excellence and ensure academic success for all students.

It is essential that we refocus our efforts on what truly matters, giving every child the tools they need to succeed in any path they choose.

It’s time for the board to work together, set aside personal differences, and commit to restoring academic excellence in our district.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
In my leadership role, I am responsible for guiding teams to achieve our goals within set timeframes and budgets.

Over the past 15 years, I have successfully fostered an environment where open and honest discussions are encouraged, allowing team members to collaborate without negativity. My focus has been on ensuring that, even when there are differing opinions, teams can work together respectfully to reach a common objective.

In addition to leading teams and departments, I have extensive experience managing budgets, both internally and in collaboration with vendors. This includes not only adhering to current budget constraints but also planning strategically for future financial needs.

My decision-making is based on data and analytics, ensuring that resources are allocated to the most critical programs. This approach allows us to prioritize investments that create a safe, enriching, and effective learning environment for our students.

Name one thing about Marlboro that always makes you smile.
Our community, one of the most incredible things about our community is how we come together during both times of celebration and in moments of crisis.

Despite our differing views, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with many members of the community, and it’s been encouraging to have meaningful, productive conversations. It’s a testament to the strength and unity we share, even when we may not always agree.