Montclair School Board Candidate Profile: Holly Shaw

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair has a big choice to make in 2024: who will serve on the local school board?

There are six candidates competing for three open seats on the Montclair Board of Education. The candidates are: Eric Scherzer, Jada Roman, Sean Long, June Raegner, Andrew Gideon, and Holly Shaw.

Patch reached out to each candidate with the same set of questions. Holly Shaw’s replies follow below (learn more about her campaign here).

>> Are you a candidate seeking an elected office in Montclair? Send campaign updates to eric.kiefer@patch.com

PATCH: What are your qualifications to run for office?

HS: I am a parent to three children: one who just graduated from Montclair High School and two currently in 8th and 10th grade.

I currently serve on the board of Montclair Little League, where I am actively involved in coaching, organizing events, and leading fundraising efforts. As a dedicated member of Skate Essex, I volunteer my time to support and advocate for the development of our local skate park.

Throughout my involvement with the PTA, I have been hands-on at every level, from organizing events to fundraising and working closely with our administration.

As a parent with a child in the Montclair school system, I experience the challenges and opportunities within our schools firsthand, having navigated the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This has given me a deep understanding of the strengths, issues, and needs of our district.

I am a writer specializing in wine and spirits, holding a diploma from Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Before this, I had a career in Global Marketing, working with Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, and Citibank.

PATCH: What is your campaign platform if elected?

HS: I am a resident and parent who cares deeply about Montclair. As a dedicated community member and advocate for educational excellence, I am committed to fostering a school environment where every student, parent, and teacher feels heard, valued, and empowered. I was raised by a single parent and attended a similar public school system in terms of size, diversity, and economics which has given me a unique perspective on the issues we face here in Montclair such as opportunity gaps and equity. The lack of communication and accountability around our finances is disheartening. I would like to request an audit, be transparent, and be open to all stakeholders on bond expenses and our budget. Montclair does a great job discussing equity and identifying the need for equity but falls short of finding solutions to rectify inequality in the district. In terms of the Achievement gap –we can be CREATIVE. We need to create innovative methods for tackling this issue.

PATCH: What is one thing that always makes you smile about the Montclair school district?

HS: I love how passionate our teachers are in educating our children. They are innovative, and kind and are always working to adjust and make our education better regardless of the circumstances.

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