Aaron Lorenz: Putting Students and Fiscal Responsibility First

Aaron LORENZ is running for re-election to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education for Oakland under the banner "SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS"

Age: 53

Education: PhD, University of Massachusetts, Amherst – Political Science; M.A., San Diego State University - Political Science; B.A., California State University, Chico- Political Science.

Occupation: Dean, School of Social Science and Human Services, Ramapo College

Past volunteer service: Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education (2021-current); Treasurer, Consortium of Undergraduate Law & Justice Programs; Student Area Coordinator, Amnesty International.

Other experience relevant to the position: With nearly 30 years in education, I know what it takes to create a positive environment for students and teachers to thrive. As a dean, I oversee a team of faculty, staff, and programs that help prepare students for their futures—a commitment I would bring to the board, where we need a focus on practical solutions and community-centered decision-making.

Links to social media and website:
https://www.supportingourstudents.org/aaron-lorenz
https://www.facebook.com/Aaron4RIHBOE/
https://www.instagram.com/aaron4rihboe

Do you have any relatives in town government or the schools now, or working on town boards or schools?

I do not have any relatives in any of those capacities.

How long have you lived in town, and where did you grow up?

I have lived in Oakland for 13 years and grew up in Manhattan Beach, California. I moved to the East Coast in nearly 30 years ago to complete my doctorate.

What do you think are the most important issues facing your constituents, and what will you do to address them?

One of the most important issues is that the board often ignores the advice of educational professionals, leading to decisions that don’t serve our students and waste taxpayer dollars. In my three years on the board, I’ve seen a loud majority prioritize politics over practical, student-centered policies, resulting in excessive legal fees and unnecessary expenses that burden taxpayers and drain resources from essential programs. This approach isn’t sustainable, and we need board members who focus on making our schools safe, supportive environments for students. As a board member, I’m committed to prioritizing responsible spending that directly benefits our students and community, ensuring that our budget supports what truly matters. In my personal and professional life, I trust experts. The board majority does not unless it suits their agenda and their attempts to weaponize the Board of Education is the issue that the public should pay attention to most.

Why should someone choose you over your opponent?

While my opponent has centered his campaign around divisive rhetoric and is aligned with those who’ve caused disruption on the board, I’m running to put the focus back on students and our community. Under my approach, the board can restore stability, refocus on student-centered policies, and improve our district’s reputation. I have a proven record of keeping politics out of our schools and creating an environment where teachers and students can thrive.

With a proven track record on the board, I’ve shown that I work to support our teachers and students, foster transparency, and keep politics out of our schools. I’ll continue to make decisions based on what’s best for our students, not any personal agenda. My opponent is backed by those responsible for the upheaval and division on the board, which should give voters pause about the direction he’ll take. While he’s aligned with the current board majority’s agenda, I’m focused on restoring a non-partisan, student-centered approach that serves the whole community, not just one faction. A good board member is one who flies under the radar and lets the students, teachers, and administration shine. Oakland should vote for me because my record as a Board member and record as a tenured professor and dean show one who is fierce to defend education.

Under my approach, we can restore stability and rebuild our district’s reputation, which has been damaged by chaotic leadership and a lack of respect for educators and staff. As someone committed to a non-partisan, collaborative approach, I’ll work to make our district one that students, families, and educators can be proud of.

Should you win, how would you get people more involved in the issues who aren't currently involved, or who supported your critics? How can town politics become more inclusive instead of divisive?

We all want our students to thrive and succeed after high school, whatever path they choose. Inclusive practices and diverse perspectives are essential to achieving that vision. Community members have told me they feel their voices aren’t being heard, and I want to change that. We need an open, respectful environment where people feel comfortable speaking up.

Restoring trust with our teachers and staff is critical, as poor morale and turnover are byproducts of recent board chaos. I’m committed to making our district a place where administrators, teachers, and students feel valued and supported, fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute to our schools’ success.

As a board member, I would encourage more accessible public comment periods via meeting livestreams, community workshops, and open forums, so that everyone has a chance to share their views. In my time as an education leader and one who teaches students how to lead, I have found that the best way to remedy division is to remind people that we agree on 99% of things. We all want our students to be well-rounded and prepared for life after high school, whatever that looks like. We cannot get there if the board majority remains in place because it is their version of what life is like after high school for our students, not allowing the teachers to bring out the passions in our students. As a board member, I would support regular town halls and community forums to ensure everyone has a voice.

What is one local issue that no one really talks about, or has spoken publicly about, that you think should be addressed while you're in office?

As a board member, I would bring the focus back to expert-driven solutions, and two key issues come to mind. The first is addressing the disparity in enrollment between Ramapo and Indian Hills. The board majority set aside the former superintendent’s strategic plan, which included measures to address this disparity, and instead hired a public relations firm. In my opinion, this decision wasted valuable time and money without tackling the root causes of the issue.

The second issue is the need to secure additional funding through grants to strengthen our district without raising taxes. Even though FLOW is an affluent area, there are real opportunities to leverage the incredible work our faculty and staff do in and out of the classroom into successful grant applications. These grants could directly benefit students by supporting programs in STEM, arts, wellness, and even infrastructure projects, all while respecting the community’s financial investment.

To what political party do you belong? Who did you vote for in the last presidential election (if you're willing to say), and do you think it should matter in terms of your candidacy?

Board of Education roles are meant to be non-partisan, and I believe we should keep it that way. I’m committed to focusing solely on what’s best for our students, not party politics. Decisions about our schools should be guided by students’ educational needs, fiscal responsibility, and community values—not by any political agenda. I believe we should keep politics out of the classroom because our students deserve an education focused on their success, not party lines. Decisions about our schools should always be guided by what benefits students, promotes fiscal responsibility, and respects our community’s varied and diverse values.

What else would you like people to know?

When voting for Board of Education members, I look for candidates with a record of supporting students and who understand the importance of integrity and transparency. In my time on the board, I’ve seen the value of listening to others and working with kindness and respect. I believe our students are best served when we have leaders who are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to the well-being of all FLOW families. I look to make sure that they understand their role is non-partisan. This can be seen in how they campaign and if they connect with local, state, or federal campaigns that are partisan and political. If they are clearly political in their campaigning, what makes us think they wouldn’t be even more so once on the board? And lastly, I believe in kindness. My wife and I are proud of our teenage boys for many reasons but their kindness is paramount. Kind people lead fulfilled lives and Ramapo Indians Hills would best be served by having kind leaders in the Board of Education.

Disclaimer:
Aaron Lorenz is a current member of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education. Statements made here are as a private citizen and have not been authorized by the RIHBOE.