Watch These 4 Takeaways From Chester Board Of Education Candidates

CHESTER, NJ — Five candidates vying for three seats on Chester’s Board of Education recently participated in a virtual forum hosted by the Warren and West Morris Counties League of Women Voters.

The livestreamed forum gave viewers a chance to get to know incumbent Sara Kalashian, as well as candidates Dana Levens, Sarah Schultz, Simone Campbell and Thomas G. Murphy.

There were other candidates on the ballot for the three-year seats, who didn't participate in the forum, including John Barounis, who was unable to attend but provided an opening statement. Candidate Matthew Downs didn't respond to the league's invitation, according to the Warren and West Morris Counties League Spokesperson, Megan Davis.

Additionally, though Carolina Rodriguez remains on the Morris County Clerk's list of candidates, the County Clerk's Office told Davis that Rodriguez is no longer participating in the race. Patch is awaiting a response from Rodriguez to confirm her candidacy.

RELATED: Meet Chester's Board Of Ed Candidates In Virtual Forum: Watch

What were some of the takeaways from the forum?

1. The candidates explained some of their qualifications that they felt would make them ideal candidates for the Board of Education. Among the responses:

• Schultz described herself as a “collaborative team player,” with an ability to listen objectively. She also said she has experience with working in business and ability to adapt.
• Murphy said his background in medicine was an asset to the board, to understand pandemic issues, as well as developmental issues that may impact children. He honed in on his leadership and team-building skills.
• Levens said her background as a community outreach coordinator in a non-profit has taught her to collaborate with partners and work within the community. That combined with her background in early childhood education, as both a teacher and director, as well as building relationships with parents, she said are important qualities.
• Kalashian said as a current member of the board, she understands how to serve well. She described her professional background in architecture as one that brings many beneficial skill sets that help within the school district. She additionally said she has a caring spirit and willingness to serve.
• Campbell called herself a dedicated volunteer, who likes to create positive change and works well with others of diverse backgrounds. She likes to help solve problems and has a longtime background in working with children, Campbell said.

2. The candidates were asked how they’d respond to public comments and opinions that conflict with their own. Their responses are below:

• Murphy said he would ensure open dialogue exists, especially with his past military service in having taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and First Amendment. He said that people need to be open-minded; and the best ideas he’s heard have come from others.
• Levens agreed with Murphy in that all viewpoints should be heard, to help find a path forward. She described school board members as being among a collective.
• Kalashian said as a board member, there are times with some back and forth among members, but said her personal opinions don’t apply to a non-political, non-partisan board; and that’s “as simple as it gets.”
• Campbell said her personal viewpoint won’t get in the way, with the goal to give the children a “world class education. She described the board as a solutions-geared group.
• Schultz explained the role of a board member is to be an advocate for all members of the community, to listen first and find a commonality to develop solutions for the community’s students.

3. The candidates weighed in on mask-wearing in schools, all agreeing to it.
Levens said she supports it as a state mandate, though she hopes at some time there will be a time when they don’t need to be worn in school in the future.
Kalashian also indicated that she supported mask-wearing, in following “the current guidance of the state and that’s what we’re doing,” though like Levens, she said she’s hopeful masks won’t be required in the near future.
Campbell said she supports it but “not forever,” hoping that it ends soon. Campbell added that she was glad there was not one-recorded transmission district-wide in the schools in the previous school year. She feels that masks played a role in keeping children from having to resort back to virtual learning, once the district was able to reopen for in-person learning.
Schultz said the transmission rate appears to be moderate at the current time and at times with higher rates and surges “we do need to practice these measures.” Until the mask mandate is repealed in schools, Schultz said it is “out of our hands.”
Murphy said people quote data and studies for nearly everything and the key isn’t using Google to “find a paper to support your opinion.” He said if there’s something out of his expertise, he speaks to people with that background. He said that COVID impacts children, they can spread it, some can get very sick. He said vaccines and masks work. For now, he called masks a reality and said he looks forward to when they’re “a thing of the past.”

4. The candidates were asked if they support inclusion and diversity classes within the district, which they all said they do.
Schultz said she “wholeheartedly” supports inclusion and diversity classes in the district; and all should be embraced regardless of race, sexuality and gender. She cited research that children are expected to be more successful in their futures if versed in inclusion curriculums.
Levens said she also supports diversity and inclusion education, as a community that continues to become more diverse. She said children can gain understanding if things are presented to them “in an age-appropriate way.” She complimented the district for its efforts in diversity and inclusion lessons so far; and feels that the district can incorporate more in the future.
Campbell said there are benefits with this education, helping children to experience other perspectives. Among benefits, children become more creative and able to navigate “in the outside world,” she said. The internet and travel have brought the world closer and made different cultures more accessible. She said that children may lead or be led by people of different backgrounds, “whether ethnic or socioeconomic,” with this type of education preparing them for life outside of Chester.
Murphy said he supports this type of education as it teaches children they are diverse and “part of a global community.” It teaches them to become the best citizens as possible, he added. He did acknowledge these types of classes can, however become “code” for other ideas in education, such as these words being synonymous with “unconscious bias training.” He said he’s not aware of any study that’s been shown that unconscious bias training is beneficial for young children or any plan to bring that type of program to the school district. He called inclusion a “fundamental right” and said diversity is something “that makes our country great.”
Kalashian said she too supports these type of classes and wants all students encouraged and supported. “The world is so much bigger than our cute community,” she said. These classes will additionally benefit children in high school, college and when they enter the workforce.

Watch the forum in its entirety, to hear the candidates answers to all of the questions, here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.