Meet Richard Dunn, Running For Old Bridge School Board

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — Six people are running for three seats on the Old Bridge school board. Patch asked all six candidates the same set of questions. All six candidates got back to us, and these are their answers:

Provide a brief bio on yourself. Age, education, occupation.

My name is Richard J. Dunn, Jr. and I have been a resident of Old Bridge Township for 26 years, moving from Staten Island in 1998. I have been married to my wife, Kristine (1st grade teacher at Cooper Elementary School) for 32 years and have two children, Erin, 26, and Reagan, 20.

I attended the City University of New York ~ College of Staten Island and graduated with a BA in history and secondary education. I attended New York University-School of Continuing Education and received a 2-year certificate in real estate and construction management.

I am currently employed as senior vice president of a Newark-based real estate company. I have over 35 years of experience in real estate management, development and construction.

Additionally, I have been a volunteer firefighter with the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company for 21 years, attaining the position of Chief of the Department from December 2020 to December 2022.

Do you have children in the district or formerly in the district?

Both of my children are graduates of Old Bridge Public Schools, having taken the educational paths that best supported their individual educational needs. Erin currently attends Brookdale Community College and is finishing her associate degree and Reagan is a junior at Monmouth University.

What experience do you have that would make you a good BOE member?

I was elected to the Old Bridge Board of Education in April 2011 and served for 10 years. I am a two-time past president and under my leadership, we had full-day Kindergarten approved and implemented in 2013, which was a monumental achievement for our school district and community.

I was also appointed to the Old Bridge Township Planning Board as an alternate member for a one-year period in 2017.

I believe based upon my considerable experience as a business leader, first responder, and prior school board member, I am well positioned to assume the responsibilities and challenges that are required of an effective school board member.

As represented above, I am a community-minded volunteer with extensive experience in business administration and management in both private and public sectors.

For current school board members, what is some of the work you're proudest of that the Board has done?

N/A

Where do you think the Old Bridge school board needs to improve?

Currently, the Old Bridge Board of Education is lacking decorum and professionalism. I pledge to bring back experience and leadership that the board has been missing. I will champion fair and equitable opportunities for all children and will find fiscal balance while protecting the interests of the Old Bridge taxpayer.

Looking ahead, what are some of the biggest challenges facing the Old Bridge school district in the next 2 -5 years, and how do you plan to confront them?

There are many challenges forthcoming that will adversely affect our public schools in the near future, including additional sequestration of state aid; aging facilities and buildings; possible redistricting of schools; enacting a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan; providing enhanced special services for our most vulnerable and keeping political influence out of our schools.

Who's running for Old Bridge school board in 2024. Voters will be asked to choose three:

• Brooke Richards-Patterson — Transparent, Intentional, Accountable
• Jay Slade - Rational, Not Radical - current Old Bridge school board member, seeks re-election
• Kiran Venkatesan - Transforming Education Together
• Carl Von Stetten - More Student Opportunity
• Mireille Cameau-Wicks - Ensuring Education Integrity
• Richard J. Dunn - Old Bridge Education

• Salvatore DiPrima - Kids First (He dropped out of the race.)
• Kyler Dineen - Old Bridge Alum (He dropped out of the race.)

All six candidates answered our questions:

Meet Carl Von Stetten, Running For Old Bridge School Board

Meet Brooke Richards-Patterson, Running For Old Bridge School Board

Meet Kiran Venkatesan, Running For Old Bridge School Board

Meet Jay Slade, Running For Re-Election On Old Bridge School Board

Meet Mireille Cameau-Wicks, Running For Old Bridge School Board

The election will be Nov. 5, but you can vote early in person at the Old Bridge Public Library from Oct. 26 - Nov. 3. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. There is also mail-in voting.