Election 2024: Adam P. Dubeck For Mendham Township School Board

MENDHAM, NJ — Election Day is almost here, and Mendham voters will soon head to the polls to cast their votes for open seats on the local school board.

Residents in the Mendhams will see choices for their K-8 school districts on the ballot, including current members running for re-election and any challengers.

There are no borough or township candidates for the West Morris Regional High School District, as those seats are not up for re-election this year.

Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates, seeking their responses. Here is the response from candidate Adam P. Dubeck.

Adam P. Dubeck

• Age: 49
• Town of residence: Mendham Township
• Education: B.A. from the University of Maryland in Government & Politics, J.D. from Rutgers School of Law
• Occupation: Attorney at Law

What drove you to seek public office?

I originally sought a seat on the Board because I believe that education can open any door. I was the first and only member of my immediate family to graduate college, let alone law school. I have since achieved things in my life that would not have been possible without such education. I am seeking re-election to ensure that our Board continues on its current path, which includes updating our facilities, integrating new and successful teaching methods and educational technologies all while, most importantly, providing various supports for all our students so they can reach their full potential. Doing all this while maintaining a stable tax rate is an annual challenge that I am dedicated to meeting head on.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

My children attended both the elementary and middle school in Mendham township, my son, now a high school freshman, just finishing his K-8 education last year and my daughter currently in her first year at our middle school so I have the current pulse of the schools. During my first term, our Board sought certification from the NJ School Board Assoc. that required several additional hours of training. I have attended nearly 100% of our public and committee meetings and also attended the annual multi-day state School Board conference each year. I feel that level of participation and those trainings, along with my analytical and negotiation skills, make me a unique candidate.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing the school board in Mendham Township?

The balancing act of providing a great education while keeping the taxpayer burden stable is always a challenge. Costs continue to rise, especially in the areas of health insurance and special education. However, while a member of the Board I have supported expanding our transportation department, which currently brings in over $700,000 of revenue a year, entering into shared services with the Township to reduce certain labor costs and exploring energy alternatives such as solar power. There are options beyond budget cuts or raising taxes – if reelected I will continue to make exploring other options a priority.

How much does COVID learning loss and school security impact your plans?

The long-term education impact of the COVID pandemic will never truly be known; however, our students, with the assistance of our amazing teachers and administration, have made great strides to be on par with the accomplishments of the same classes pre-pandemic. As to security, part of the referendum passed by our residents included funding for structural changes to our buildings that have already been made over the summer, increasing safety for our students and staff. New innovations in safety is something that I focus on as a Board member.

What is your favorite thing about the township schools?

I believe that our schools go all out to promote a family atmosphere – that our teachers and our admin staff work hand in hand with our students’ families to obtain the best possible result for each and every child. Our motto is “Every Student, Every Day” and it rings true in virtually all of our decisions. The District is always investigating new ways to educate our students both academically and emotionally. The District does not rest on its reputation, its always looking for improvement.