Election 2020: Morris School Board Candidate Oliver M. Starnes

NEW JERSEY - In a few short weeks what is expected to be one of the most charged elections in modern history is set to take place and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 3 election.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the county clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Russ.Crespolini@patch.com. What you see below are their answers with mild style edits.

Name: Oliver M. Starnes

1. Why are you running for the board of education seat?

I am running to represent Morristown on the Morris School District Board of Education to “Be
the Change” I wish to see within our community, county, state, and in due time—the whole
country. I took part in a 10-week human rights advocacy campaign this summer acclaimed for its
peaceful protest marches and ‘teach-in’ race dialogues, but its most impactful takeaway went
largely unnoticed. As COVID-19 compelled most school boards to host meetings virtually (i.e.,
via Zoom) it also catalyzed attendance between Gen Zs and Millennials. While I am incredibly
grateful for MSD BOE and its positioning on the landscape of Morris County public school
districts, I believe there is a considerable amount of work yet to be accomplished.

2. What makes you qualified for the position?

I am qualified and prepared for this position thanks to a variety of life stages. As a lifelong
resident of Morris County, I graduated from a public-school district prior to leaving for Trinity
College in Hartford, CT. As a student-athlete from the 5th grade through college I have a strong
understand for the importance of teamwork, which translates directly to being one of 10 school
board members. In aspiring to emulate my mother’s 30-year career in public service with the
Department of Defense, I came home from college with degrees in Political Science and Public
Policy. From 2014 to date, I have been interning, networking, and organizing my local
community. Despite my personal and professional qualifications, I am constantly seeking to
learn and improve all aspects of serving the public.

3. What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and what will you do about
it?

COVID-19 is the most pressing issue facing the Morris School District. The first step to address
both immediate and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis would be fostering a
communication portal between students, parents, faculty, staff, and residents that provide all
stakeholders with identical information. Secondly, I would conduct a full inventory of available
resources (financial, technical, etc.) originating from the County, State, and Federal levels of
government. Lastly, I would secure a direct point of contact at each level of government
responsible for maintaining effective lines of communication to ensure regular dialogue is held
between both elected officials and public administrators.

4. What are some other issues you want to see addressed?

Outside of COVID-19, the most important challenge faced by the Morris School District Board
of Education is major population growth. On January 16, 2020, the Morris County Planning
Board presented a report on ‘Demographic and Economic Trends’, which named Morristown as
one of a half dozen municipalities that experienced major population growth from 2010 to 2018.

As of July 1, 2019, data showed Morristown’s population increased by 5% since the last Census.
If elected, I would utilize results from the 2020 Census to better inform which measures are
taken to properly meet the needs of an expanded population of school-aged residents. Achieving
curriculum coherency with the Morris Plains School District (MPSD) is another important
challenge facing the MSD. If elected, I would like to play a key role in collaborating with MPSD
Board Members on its pre-kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum to ensure students are
fully prepared to matriculate through a high school that serves three distinct communities. Lastly,
I wish to mitigate stagnant achievement gaps among students of color by fostering parent groups.

5. What do you hope to be your overall impact on the BOE if you are elected?

In the short-term, I hope to bring immediate impacts to the curriculum and policy sectors of
Morris School District. If I am elected, I hope to bring a new voice and thoughtful perspective to
the decision making process for one of the best public school districts in Morris County.

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Murphy, there have been many questions about how the process will work. Below is some further reading on the Nov. 3 election process:

• Here's How NJ's Mail-In General Election Will Work: What To Know

A primarily vote-by-mail election means a lot of changes to election day. See what you can expect this November.

• What's A NJ Provisional Ballot? How Does It Work? Patch Found Out

Those not needing an ADA compliant booth will need a provisional ballot to vote in-person. Here is what that will look like.

• Do Mail-In Ballots Force NJ Voters To Lie? Here's The Answer

There was language on the primary ballots asked voters certify they requested the ballot, even if they didn't.

• How Are Election Signatures Verified In NJ? Patch Found Out

Voters wondering how their signatures are checked before the upcoming election can see the process for themselves.

• How To Register, Track Your General Election Vote Online In NJ

Need to register for the upcoming election? Want to track your vote once you do? Read on to learn how.

• Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In New Jersey

Here is a recap of important dates to remember with upcoming election, all in one place.

• NJ: Get A Wrong Or Duplicate Ballot? It Is Probably Your Fault

Confusion and concern has reigned as ballots arrive, here Patch got some answers from a county clerk.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com
Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.