Election 2024: Lisa M Rodgers For South Brunswick Board Of Education

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The current president of the Board of Education, Lisa M Rodgers, is seeking another term this election.

A vocal advocate for the school district at the state level, Rodgers lays out her plans for improving schools in a Q&A with Patch.

Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Patch has sent out a questionnaire to all 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: Lisa M Rodgers

Age: 63

Town of residence: Monmouth Junction, South Brunswick

Education: Quinnipiac University – BA Business Administration and Management

Occupation: Retired/Currently Part Time Sales Consultant; Former American Express VP Strategic Planning & Management; Business Consultant – Sophisticomp; Vice President Strategic Development – CMSC Spirits and Small Business Owner – Central Jersey Catering and Events

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

Since 2010, I have been a passionate advocate for public schools, motivated by the impact of charter schools on public education. Having two children attend K-12 here in South Brunswick Schol District (SBSD), I have actively fought for the rights of public school children by testifying before the NJ Senate and Assembly Education Committees, as well as the NJ State Board of Education. As the State continues to cut funding for public schools, it is vital that a strong voice that understands the needs of our community be involved. I have engaged in several meetings with local legislative representatives to address issues affecting public education and have testified multiple times to the State Education and Budget Committees in both houses.

2. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

In 2014, I played a pivotal role in highlighting concerns regarding leadership at the SB Board of Education Central Office, exposing atypical and questionable expenditures. This effort was part of my advocacy for greater transparency and communication from district leadership and the BOE.

Involvement at the State level fighting for fair funding because while some individuals claim they will push for smaller classes or additional opportunities, costs must be considered as well as how various ideas or recommendations impact all the students, not just a few that are fortunate enough to have the means to support their child. I will continue to speak to state representatives on this issue because the school funding formula (which sets each district’s needs based on enrollment and wealth of a town) is still an inappropriate formula, as many districts are receiving too much or too little.

To further support our community, I championed initiatives such as "The Board’s Corner" to provide the community with timely information and insights, requested committee chairs to give updates during board meetings. Fully supported and worked with the district in creating full time Preschool in South Brunswick. In 2016, encouraged the Board to ensure all policies and bylaws were uploaded to the district to ensure transparency to the community and as a founding member of Save Our Schools NJ, I founded the "South Brunswick Cares About Schools" and "South Brunswick Special Ed Advocacy" Facebook pages so community members have a platform to discuss amongst themselves. I believe it is essential to understand the limitations and opportunities we face and consistently fostering a positive, healthy working relationship with the Superintendent and staff which are of utmost importance as we move forward.

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

School districts today face multiple challenges, including limitations in resources—people, time, and funding. It’s crucial that we work collaboratively to find solutions that yield maximum benefits, as maintaining consistency will help us build on our momentum and drive continued progress. My focus remains steadfast on three key priorities:

• Safety: Ensuring our schools are safe for both students and staff is paramount. We continue to work towards the prevention of violence through preparedness, education and training. Thus, I was fully supportive of the administration’s decision to hire a Safety and Compliance Officer, especially a former Chief of Police who now leads a team of school district security officers who work with him and are housed in all our secondary schools and who works in concert with the South Brunswick Police Department.
• Funding: The South Brunswick School District's aid has decreased by tens of millions of dollars in recent years. We must continue to actively seek ways to increase revenue while maintaining our status as one of the top districts in the state and nation, all while keeping our focus on student needs. When proposals for differing class sizes or stronger fiscal measures arise, we must consider the associated costs and potential loss of programming. I will continue to advocate for these issues with our state representatives.
• Stress: When students are stressed, depressed, or dealing with anxiety, which can result from a fear of failure, academic responsibilities, social pressures, bullying, and/or different economic status, they are more likely to disengage inside the classroom. This is one of the most important areas SBSD has been addressing and continues to address. As the former Curriculum Chairwoman, I had the opportunity to work with the committee on identifying areas for improvement including implementing programs that encourage empathy, tolerance, patience, compassion, kindness and self-regulation

4. Are you happy with the way the district has handled state aid cuts and budgetary constraints? What would be your approach?

South Brunswick is one of the most active districts in voicing disapproval with how the state is handling SFRA (School Funding Reform Act) which is a weighted formula that calculates adequacy for each district based on student characteristics. Compared to other states, NJ still makes a strong effort to fund public schools, however, it has not made up for the losses in school revenues over the past 10 years while expenses have and will continue to increase. Thus, more districts, including South Brunswick, are falling below their spending target.

NJ has gone backward in school funding over the past decade and NJ’s effort to fund schools is tied directly to its taxation system, thus taxes are often the debate. Our district fought for funding and pushed for the passage of A4161, which provided $14.2 million directly to South Brunswick allowing the district to eliminate many cuts to staffing. We now are actively involved in working with the state on redefining SFRA because SBSD as well as other districts cannot continue down the path of figuring out what to cut vs. what we can do strategically to improve our student’s learning Board members have a crucial responsibility to ensure the district operates effectively, adhering to policies and laws while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

When it comes to the school budget, we must consider multiple factors, including how increases or decreases will impact student outcomes. This involves targeting specific student populations, such as low-income, low-achieving, or absentee students, as well as addressing the labor market for educators or focusing on essential capital improvements like roofing, sidewalks, etc. A critical aspect of budgeting in public school districts is the need for a comprehensive view that considers the long-term impacts of investments. For example, by implementing a dedicated health center for staff, the district not only addresses rising healthcare costs but also reallocates funds to enhance other essential services. Similarly, the investment in solar panels demonstrates a proactive approach to sustainability and cost-efficiency, showcasing how thoughtful financial decisions can yield significant returns.

The board also has and continues to work diligently in identifying revenue-generating initiatives such as increasing the rental fees for our facilities, encouraging sponsorships of our facilities, (ex. issuing an RFP to local businesses to sponsor the football field), as well as requiring all vendors to reassess their contracts. One such contract led the district to contract with a new food vendor which resulted in lower costs, better food for the students, improved efficiencies and an opportunity to generate revenue by having other school districts purchase their lunches from SBSD. Overall, it is being strategic in resource allocation, whether through innovative programs like staff health centers or investments in renewable energy that balance immediate needs with future benefits. Multiple factors must be considered to ensure that we meet the needs of all our students while maintaining the integrity and sustainability of our district.

5. Despite budgetary challenges, SBSD is consistently ranked among the top school districts in NJ. What do you think the district is doing right?

Our district is ranked 11th in New Jersey and #1 in Middlesex County—a significant achievement. However, consider, for example, the following from US News & World Report: College Readiness (AP scores), College Curriculum Breadth (AP scores), State Assessment Proficiency (NJ DOE), Underserved Student Performance (NJ DOE), and Graduation Rate (NJ DOE). For US News & World Report, 40 percent is based on AP tests and the NJ state standardized test. This may be an objective ranking but doesn’t speak to or for the entire student body. An essential part of public-school responsibility is that we also focus on supporting students who may not have the opportunity to take honors or AP classes, including those with IEPs, for those students who choose not to attend college immediately after HS Graduation or for those who choose a military career. These students are vital members of our community, and we must strive to meet their needs alongside those of all our students. It’s not just about being the best district or achieving high test scores; it’s about fostering an inclusive environment that supports every child and respects their decision for their future.

During my term, I have prioritized two key areas and will continue to:

1. Review Prerequisite Requirements: We examined whether certain prerequisite requirements were excluding students from advanced classes. By opening access to these courses without negatively impacting pass rates, we have enabled more students to participate, resulting in very positive outcomes that continue to influence our curriculum reviews.
2. Create a Pathway for Students: We developed a structured "pathway" for students to follow throughout their high school years, which families can access on the district website. This initiative helps families better understand the available offerings and their potential outcomes, ensuring that 100% of our students meet or exceed New Jersey State Standards.

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

The Board of Education meets every two weeks to discuss essential matters such as the budget, facilities, curriculum, etc., via updates from the committee chairs while ensuring that all discussions are conducted with the framework of ethics and privacy laws, as well, the implementation of a monthly newsletter to improve communication. Despite these efforts, there remains a gap in the community's understanding of the board’s responsibilities.

To bridge the gap, I along with the members of the board, continue to focus on improving communications strategies.

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

Having been involved in public education since 2010, I have a deep understanding of the issues affecting our district and those throughout the state and South Brunswick is fortunate to have dedicated parents who care about their children’s education and want the Board to prioritize their best interests.

As someone who has taken an Oath of Office, I believe it’s vital for Board Members to adhere to both the United States Constitution and the Constitution of New Jersey. While local Boards can develop their own policies and procedures, they must remain compliant with state and federal laws. I have and will continue to be committed to enhancing communication with the public regarding the laws and processes that govern us. When issues arise related to the school budget, policies, curriculum, student engagement, athletics, and more, it is essential that the public understands that the Board collectively reviews and considers these matters when presented by the Superintendent.

It’s important to clarify that individual board members do not have the authority to make unilateral decisions or hold private meetings with community members, as this could lead to ethical violations. I encourage everyone to follow the communication plan outlined on the district website, including the “Chain of Command” procedure established in SBSD, as many issues can be resolved effectively when this protocol is followed.

With my long-standing commitment as a public education advocate and the positive changes I’ve helped implement, I ask for your support on November 5. Together, we can continue to enhance the educational experience for all our students.

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