Princeton School Board Election 2023: Beth Behrend

PRINCETON, NJ – Incumbent Beth Behrend is seeking another term on the Princeton School District Board of Education.

A Princeton resident for 22-years, Behrend is a product of public schools and has a passion for improving public education.

This year's general elections will be held on Nov. 7. Patch will publish a detailed interview with each candidate in the coming days.

Name: Beth Behrend

Age: 55

Town of residence: Princeton

Position sought: Board of Education - Princeton Public Schools

Family: A 22-year Princeton resident, I live in the Riverside neighborhood of Princeton with my husband, Robert, and youngest son, who is a senior at PHS. My middle son is a freshman at Middlebury College, and my daughter (PHS 2020) is a senior at Princeton University, majoring in electrical engineering and computing. My children have attended Riverside School, Princeton Middle School, The Pennington School, and PHS.

Education: I am a product of public schools, originally from Hartland, Wisconsin, with degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD &LLM in Public International Law).

Occupation: I worked in NY and abroad as a corporate attorney advising Fortune 500 companies on global financing, joint ventures, acquisitions, governance, and regulatory matters, and then in Princeton as corporate counsel for a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company. I’ve spent the past 6 years as an elected member of the Princeton Board of Education, serving as its president from 2019 to 2021. I also serve on the executive board of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, an advocacy group for all NJ public school students. Prior to election to the BOE, I served as a community volunteer and trustee of local non-profit organizations including the Riverside PTO (past president), the PTO Council, the Watershed Institute, the Princeton School Garden Cooperative, the NJ League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Princeton Board of Education (2018-present)(past president 2019-21, current co-chair of Long Term Planning and Policy Committees)

Campaign website: NA

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

I am passionate about public education, and I am running to ensure that all of our children continue to enjoy the benefits and opportunities offered by one of the best public school systems in the nation for years to come. I’ve been privileged to serve for six years on the BOE, successfully navigating COVID-19, initiating free Pre-K, supporting vulnerable learners, strengthening the budget, improving school facilities, and planning for the future – while promoting academic excellence and opportunity for all students. I’d like to build on this positive momentum to make our schools even better, for all of our kids.

What according to you is the biggest issue facing the school district currently? How do you plan to tackle it?

We are navigating a pivotal time of challenge and opportunity for the public schools, with over 1100 new housing units planned (and more anticipated), rising student needs, and aging facilities – within the constraints of a 2% budget cap the need for taxpayer affordability. Over the past few years, I have joined my colleagues on the BOE Operations Committee in finding budget savings and new sources of revenue while building reserves and transparency. We’ve also maintained, updated, and expanded existing facilities through two successful referendums. At the same time, I’ve led the BOE Long Term Facilities Planning Committee’s efforts to develop a prudent and data-informed plan, grounded in our shared values, to address capacity challenges. Over the next year, the BOE and then the wider community will have the opportunity to weigh in on next steps as we plan for appropriate learning spaces to support our growing student body in a manner taxpayers can afford. I look forward to seeing this process through, with an eye on meeting student needs in a fiscally responsible manner and to ensuring that our public schools continue to be a crown jewel of this community.

The BOE referendum will go up for a vote in November. Are you in favor of this? Why or why not?

I personally support the November referendum as a prudent way of bringing $5 million in State taxes back home to pay for necessary safety and security projects, upgrades, and maintenance. This is the most fiscally responsible, cost-effective way to fund necessary projects like PHS vestibules, doors and locks recommended by law enforcement, end-of-life athletic field and track resurfacing, playground drainage work, and PHS cafeteria flow improvements that will allow more students to access lunch while making the space more functional for flexible use.

The last school year saw controversies that left many students disappointed. What will you do to ensure the district avoids such public controversies and gives students a smooth school year?

If this question is referring to the dismissal of the PHS principal earlier this year, I am confident that PHS students are off to a smooth and positive school year under the capable and caring leadership of Principal Cecilia Birge and her excellent team of administrators. I hope that the public comes out to tour the building on Oct. 26 (7 p.m.) or 28 (10 a.m.) or to attend an upcoming concert, play, or athletic event to see our amazing students and dedicated staff in action and to feel the joy and excitement that keeps the building buzzing at all hours of the day and night. The safety, well-being and best interest of students is the North Star of all board work and central to our decision-making. Can communication be better? Yes, absolutely. Our primary responsibility, however, remains with the students – we must make appropriate decisions, in a timely manner, that, given the information we have, are in the best interest of all children.

What issues do you feel are not being adequately tackled in the district?

The recommendations of the 2021 Special Education Report need to be specifically addressed as elements of goals under the new Strategic Plan and we need to stay focused on ensuring all students have equitable access to educational opportunities. We need to focus more on inclusion (including access to electives at PHS), support for differentiated learning (although the early childhood Orton Gillingham efforts are exciting steps forward), support basic executive function skills, and avoid over-classification of students of color. Each of these efforts benefits all students, including our general education population. Our kids need to be able to navigate collaboratively in a diverse world, with people of all abilities, backgrounds, and cultures. I look forward to seeing how recommendations of the math review are implemented to improve middle school math pathways for all students. We also need to evaluate and understand the impact of the 1:1 technology switch on our students – what have we learned, what can be done better, and do all students have access to the resources they need?

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Stewarding a public entity responsible for educating 3700+ students, with 700+ employees, and a $100+ million budget is complex work, and it takes time to learn the ropes. I offer a unique combination of professional skills as a lawyer, proven experience in the role, and the perspective as a mom of three and active community member – and I’d like to continue with the important work of ensuring we have the budget, space, and educational program to meet the needs of all of our kids in the years to come. I offer experienced, proven, and steady leadership. I have served on the board for six years, spearheading long-term budget and facilities planning and serving as president for three years across the pandemic. During this time, the district had two successful referendums that funded new classrooms, high-efficiency HVAC, and long-overdue building repairs and upgrades. Moreover, as a member of the executive board of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, I understand broader state-wide issues that will impact PPS sooner or later.

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

During my time on the BOE, PPS has consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey, with a rich curriculum, award-winning fine arts, athletics and extracurricular programs, top SAT/ACT scores and college placements, cultural diversity (over 50 languages spoken; 6 taught; dual language immersion), and passionate community support. We strengthened student health and safety prior to and beyond the pandemic through high-efficiency HVAC and safety measures, ensured equal access to learning through a 1:1 device initiative, launched a student-focused strategic plan, jump-started early literacy through free Pre-K (grown from 0-9 classes) and early intervention, added academic offerings, stabilized district finances, built strong and stable labor relations, and improved school facilities by implementing two successful referendums. I want to make the experience of our students even better, and to ensure our children’s continued ability to learn and thrive through the timely completion of crucial facilities planning, the unwavering pursuit of improved student learning and experience, and exercising financial prudence to ensure that every education dollar is spent most effectively. I would be honored to continue to serve our community on the BOE.

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