Election 2022: Susan M. Pedalino For Morris Board Of Education

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Candidates are set for the Morris School District Board of Education race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the candidates vying for the open seats on the Board of Education, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the local school district.

The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here are candidate Susan M. Pedalino's answers below:

• Name: Susan M. Pedalino
• Age: 48
• Town of residence: Morris Township
• Position sought: Morris School District Board of Education
• Family: I have been married to my husband, Jason for 17 year and we have three sons, ages 9, 11, and 15 who attend schools in the Morris School District.
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• Education: I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Communications from Rutgers University in 1996. I earned a K-8 Teaching Certificate from the College of Saint Elizabeth and later an Associate School Library Media Specialist Certificate from Rutgers University.
• Occupation: Teacher/School Librarian
• Previous or current elected appointed office: Currently serving on the Morris School District Board of Education
• Campaign Website: www.Pedalino4MSDBOE.com

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

Service above self has always been important to me. Being a full-time educator has not only been a rewarding career, but has also given me a true sense of fulfillment. I bring an invaluable perspective as both an educator and as a parent when setting policies and goals for the Morris School District. As an elementary school teacher and media specialist, I am immersed in nurturing a life-long love of reading and learning. I understand how District initiatives translate into real-life experiences in the classroom. I am in the “trenches” everyday and I have my finger on the pulse of what’s new in education and where it is headed. I want to use my experience to propel this district forward. Every child in our community deserves equal access to a high quality education. It is imperative that the District continually raises the bar for student success while simultaneously closing the achievement gap. A great deal of my first term on the school board has been addressing the impact the pandemic has had on our school district. I am running for re-election with fellow incumbent, Melissa Spiotta because there is more work to be done and I would like the opportunity to serve a second term with Melissa to ensure the Morris School District continues to rebound from the pandemic, stronger than ever.

As a Board, we recently hired a new Superintendent of Schools who will officially begin her new post in January 2023. Over the course of the next three years, I would like to make sure the candidate we hired continues to be the right match for the Morris School District. Additionally, over the past three years there has been a great deal of turnover with the retirement of four long-time Board members, one member unseated, and one member resigned. As of this upcoming election, the Morris School District Board of Education is mostly made up of newly elected trustees with 5 or less years of service. It is important that the Board have a representation of diverse, experienced members for stability, continuity, and to share guidance and wisdom as we work together to make informed decisions.

COVID-19 resulted in learning loss for many students. What will you do to ensure students bounce back?

If re-elected to the Morris School District Board of Education, I will work diligently towards putting more research-based and data-driven supports in place to ensure all our students succeed academically and achieve proficiency and beyond. There is no question that learning loss occurred as a result of the impact of the global health crisis. I will continue to put the needs of our students first and ensure that every child in our community has access to high quality programs. We offer a multitude of tutoring services throughout the school year and during the summer (in district, online, and with community partners) not to mention our multi-tiered systems of support to address the educational needs of our students. It is critical that we continually evaluate these programs for effectiveness by using data such as state assessments, i-Ready diagnostics and district benchmarks to make sure students are progressing and that these supports are successful. I am committed to ensuring the Morris School District continues to provide equitable and optimal learning experiences so students can reach their full potential. Despite the many challenges the Morris School District faced as a result of the pandemic, a continuity of enriching, rigorous and meaningful learning opportunities has remained a top priority. Students are always at the center of every decision I make as a current Board member and I will never stop seeking ways we can improve as a school community.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the school district?

The stresses of the pandemic coupled with learning loss has affected the mental health and well-being of students across the country. With high expectations for college acceptance, pressure to succeed academically or athletically, fear of school violence, and the ongoing stress of social media, students are feeling more anxious today than ever before. It is essential that we provide access to quality mental health support. Most recently, the Morris School District is piloting a social worker intern program. Graduate students seeking a masters and higher degree in social work from nearby universities will have an opportunity to intern at the Morris School District. This program will provide a full range of counseling services for students and their families. It will be overseen by a coordinating director and supported in the school building by a district counselor. Additionally, the District has also partnered with Teen Pride to provide free counseling services to adolescents at Frelinghuysen Middle School and Morristown High School and their families. The District also provides outreach opportunities to parents in order to help them better support their children at home such as the Routes to Resilience. Themes such as grief, emotional literacy, healthy coping skills, stress management, are just some of the topics covered. I would like to see more professional development to help teachers identify signs of depression and anxiety as well as provide wellness and mindfulness strategies so they can better assist and empower their students. It is critical that our students feel safe, connected, and supported so they are ready to be successful and therefore we must cultivate a positive educational environment for all students. Our students' mental health and well-being are a top priority for me. Although the Morris School District is making great strides in addressing this issue, there is still work to be done.

What is your view on the sex education curriculum that Gov. Murphy put forth earlier this year?

As chair of the Morris School District Curriculum Committee, it is important to adhere to the standards mandated by the state to guide our curriculum. Complying with mandatory state learning standards is one part of the educational requirements school districts are evaluated on through NJQSAC. Scoring less than 80% in one NJQSAC category could result in the district being monitored and put on an improvement plan. I certainly do not want our district to face disciplinary action if we are not in compliance with these new standards, however as a parent of young children as well as a teenager, I understand parents’ concerns and respect their choice to remove their children from any part of the health, family life, or sex education classes if it conflicts with their beliefs. I believe it is important that the District include parents in this dialogue, making sure lessons are age appropriate, and being fully transparent. I want our students to be kind, tolerant, accepting, respecting each other's differences, to feel supported, and to grow up to be healthy and informed adults. Most importantly, I always keep the best interest of our students at the forefront.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As a parent of children ages 9, 11, and 15 that attend Sussex Avenue School and Morristown High School, I have “skin in the game” and a vested interest in the success of the school district. I am a person with a friendly disposition, am a good listener, and accessible. I feel the Board of Education would continue to benefit from my enthusiasm and ability to collaborate. Board of Education members should be transparent and we must maintain a strong partnership with the community. Stakeholders will often find me throughout Morristown and Morris Township attending community events, volunteering at my sons’ schools, attending many K-12 student performances, participating in HSA meetings, celebrating student achievements, and cheering on both our local recreational and school athletic teams at various games. It is at these events that I welcome parent and community feedback, gladly listening to their concerns and perspectives. The District will continue to succeed when we maintain a strong partnership with our stakeholders and I value their input. I promise to give a voice to all, especially those who feel underrepresented. I truly want the best for our students so they can continue to ascend and thrive. I want to continue to be instrumental in the Morris School District’s student growth and success, not only as a parent and educator, but most importantly as a member of the Board of Education. I am passionate about education, continually staying on top of best practices. I will work hard to set policies to advance excellence and equity in our students’ education and make sure the Morris School District is even better than it already is because when our children succeed our community prospers!

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Wife, mother, daughter, teacher, public servant, parishioner, volunteer are just a few of the many hats I so proudly and happily wear. As the daughter of first generation immigrants, my mother was born in Colombia and my father in Ecuador, academics, hard work and perseverance were instilled in me at a very young age. For the past 19 years I have taught in the Hanover Township Public Schools, first as a third grade teacher at Bee Meadow School and later transitioned to a media specialist at Salem Drive School. During the pandemic, I taught second grade, but returned to my media specialist post in 2021. I was elected to the Morris School District Board of Education in November 2019. Beginning in January 2020, I served on both the Curriculum and Finance committees. I currently serve on the HR committee and am Chair of the Curriculum Committee.

Public service has always been important to me and I would like to use my background in education to continue my work on the Board. My husband and I are so proud that our children are part of such a culturally diverse, academically enriching and innovative school system. It would be my privilege and pleasure to continue to serve this exceptional school district for the next three years.

Melissa Spiotta, current president of the Morris School District Board of Education and I are both incumbents seeking to keep our seats representing Morris Township. Although we are running our own campaigns, we are endorsing and supporting each other. Melissa Spiotta is an exceptional leader with a great vision for our district. She is dedicated, selfless, smart, and committed to the success of our students. She is also a fixture of public service and philanthropy in our community. I am honored to work with Melissa on the Board of Education and to run with her as we seek re-election together.

The views and opinions expressed in the above statements are my personal viewpoints and do not necessarily reflect and represent the views or positions of the Morris School District Board of Education.