Election 2024: Christopher Santarpio For Princeton Board Of Education

PRINCETON, NJ — An "engaged parent" and resident of Princeton, candidate Christopher Santarpio has decided to throw his hat in the ring and seek a seat on the Board of Election this November.

In a chat with Patch, Santarpio talks about his educational background and professional expertise and how it could help the district.

Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Patch has sent out a questionnaire to all BOE candidates. They will be published as we receive them. If you are a candidate and haven’t heard from us, please contact Sarah Salvadore at sarah.salvadore@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.

Name: Christopher Santarpio

Age: 51

Town of residence: Princeton, NJ

Education: BS from Villanova University (Finance); MBA from Rutgers (Finance and Supply Chain)

Occupation: Business owner of an industrial distribution/service provider serving the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US

1. Why are you seeking a seat on the BOE?

As a very engaged parent, an elementary school Parent Teacher Organization Co-President, and an active citizen and neighbor, I have connected with people across Princeton regarding our town’s schools and realize I have valuable skills that can help to strengthen Princeton Public Schools (PPS), for the benefit of students, staff, and taxpayers.

If elected, I do believe I can prioritize community and culture-building within the District, fostering and maintaining strong relationships, so that all students have excellent opportunities to thrive and also creating new ways to engage with the entire Princeton community, ensuring that our public schools are an important and positive part of our town’s culture. Lastly, I understand how boards operate since I have served on boards and worked with a board with my business background. I can bring this governance experience to the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education and I will be ready on day 1.

2. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I’ve served in many volunteer roles within the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) since my son started at Community Park School, ranging from class parent to chair of the annual school-wide STEAM Day event, for which I built connections with numerous individuals and organizations throughout the Princeton area to present STEAM topics to students. Most recently, I have been serving my second year as PTO co-president. Additionally, I stay actively informed about the management of Princeton Public Schools by regularly attending Board of Education meetings, BOE committee meetings, and Parent Teacher Organization Council (PTOC) meetings. Last year, all four elementary schools worked together to share ideas and insights among us. We can build upon this collaborative approach from within the district but also, we can continue to build bridges and foster collaboration with the Town and external organizations.

As a result of being a very engaged parent and citizen, I am aware of the challenges facing our District. I believe my extensive business experience, in finance, operations, and board governance would be an asset to the BOE. I hold respect to be one of the most important values I embody – respect for our students, parents, families, teachers, staff, our district, and our community. I would bring a respectful and pragmatic approach. Having served

on boards and having a board within our own family business, I have both the experience and bandwidth to be ready on Day 1 if elected. I will work collaboratively to tackle difficult tasks to find solutions that benefit students and the community. I also believe that through collaboration, we can do so much more. I would work tirelessly to collaborate within and outside PPS so that we can help build on the District’s success. As an elementary school parent, I have many years ahead of me within PPS. It is important we all work together, within the district but also within our community.

3. What, according to you, is the biggest issue facing the school district?

I see two big issues facing Princeton Public Schools at this moment in time. First, I believe the new Superintendent search is critical in finding a leader who will guide us and be invested in our district for the long haul. It was refreshing to see the focus groups and surveys inviting the community to participate in the process. I am confident that the BOE ad hoc committee is off to a good start. It is important that our new Superintendent builds trust within the district and the community. Second, I believe managing growth and capacity with our existing infrastructure in Princeton to be equally pressing, while delivering a high-quality education for all our students in a fiscally responsible way.

4. Council plans to buy Westminster College saying it could benefit the school district. Do you think it aligns with the district’s needs?

Westminster College is an exciting potential solution for all of us here in Princeton. It is important that the Town and the Board of Education, two separate governing bodies, collaborate as this could solve many of the existing infrastructure challenges the district faces today from a long-term perspective. With the recent passing of the bond referendum at the Oct. 14 Council meeting, the process is in motion. This acquisition has a direct impact on every Princeton resident. I think most residents believe it would benefit the entire town, from preserving important cultural and historic spaces to providing new community spaces. However, it is important for the Board of Education and Town Council to come together on a regular basis to fully understand the timeline of this acquisition and how this asset could potentially be leveraged for our schools.

5. The district is set to grow over the next few years. What will be your budget/spending priorities?

The following components of the school budget should be protected (and perhaps increased) as these areas help to maintain the quality of education while supporting our students and teachers:

• Instructional Costs: Funding for teachers' salaries, classroom supplies, and curriculum material.
• Student Support Services: Programs that fall within special education, counseling and social-emotional learning are essential for student achievement and well-being.
• Safety and Security: Investments in student safety, such as security vestibules, emergency preparedness, and building security systems, are non-negotiable to provide a safe learning environment for our students.
• Technology and Infrastructure: In today’s educational environment, maintaining up-to-date technology and safe, well-maintained facilities is crucial.
• Professional Development: Ensuring teachers and staff receive ongoing training and professional growth opportunities helps maintain high teaching standards. In addition to this, I would like to examine whether training opportunities can be shared with Princeton Charter School or other educational institutions, which could decrease this line item for PPS.
• Subcontractor Costs: Subcontractor costs could be reduced by optimizing project planning. For example, playground improvements paid for by the fall 2023 referendum were recently planned at all the elementary schools and middle school, and some of that work was slated to start this past summer. Work began just days before the first day of school and over Labor Day weekend at Community Park. As a result, some of the work needed to be done on weekends, likely resulting in unnecessarily increased labor costs.
• Risk Exposure / Litigation Costs: To use the CP playground as an example again, heavy machinery (a backhoe, dump truck and trailers) and large piles of dirt and mulch had been parked on the playground for weeks. Students quickly tried to adopt them as new play items. As a PTO representative, parent and business experience in risk management, I reached out to the District to have orange fencing placed around them to minimize exposure. Such situations present a liability to the District and could be better avoided.
• Consulting Fees: There may be cost savings by being more selective about the consultants we hire and seeking out appropriate cost-sharing of consultants with similar districts in the areas where we wish to lead. Last year, a consulting agreement was made with another school district to share a communications person. This consultant also shared with at least 10 other NJ districts (dissimilar geographies and profiles) and was not a good fit for PPS.

All these recommendations are, of course, suggestions and driven by lessons learned. It is important as a leader that one grows from lessons learned so they do not occur again.

6. What other aspects need to be improved in the school district?

As a result of my active engagement with the Princeton Public Schools over the past four years, I believe I can help in a multitude of ways. If elected, one of my preferred choices for a committee assignment would be the Operations Committee. I can have an immediate and direct impact with my skill set and background. I recognize the critical importance of managing budgets and making data-driven decisions to achieve operational excellence. I will ensure the data the district relies on for decision-making is accurate and reliable. I would emphasize the importance of optimization techniques, drawing on my business leadership and supply chain background, to ensure both efficient management and operations across PPS. An example is implementing supply chain optimization techniques for the design and management of our transportation routes. While I am confident that our District makes every effort to ensure the transportation routes are efficient, I believe an optimization exercise using technology may find immediate results to help reduce costs. I also think it’s important that the district performs a risk assessment of critical 3rd party providers (i.e., food services, aftercare, etc.). It would be helpful if the district mitigates risks that could disrupt the Princeton Public Schools with the critical providers. I will further aim to establish a continuous cycle of communication, progress monitoring, and status updates between PPS and outsourced 3rd party providers, ensuring that expectations are mutually understood and consistently met. Ultimately, this will help our District be less reactive and more proactive to focus on meeting strategic goals.

7. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

My husband and I chose Princeton because of its vibrant and diverse community. I immediately became involved in the PTO as our son entered Kindergarten at Community Park Elementary. I am eager to continue my engagement and investment in the Princeton Public Schools if elected. By serving on PTO and attending Board of Education meetings, Committee Meetings and PTO Council meetings I am aware of the nuanced challenges facing the BOE and realized I could bring my skills to help PPS. You may have seen my yellow lawn signs pop up around town. I chose yellow because to me that is a color of positive energy, optimism and sparking creativity. If elected, I will bring these qualities to the BOE. In closing, if elected, I will be ready on day 1 with my sleeves rolled up. If you would like to learn more about my background or about my candidacy or join my mailing list, please visit www.ChrisSantarpio.com or visit Santarpio for PPS Board of Education on Facebook.

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