South Brunswick Board Of Education Election 2023: Mukesh Bhatt

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – A resident of South Brunswick, Mukesh Bhatt is seeking a seat on the Board of Education this November. He wants to focus on fiscal responsibility, capital expenditure prioritization and parental involvement.

One of Bhatt’s top priorities is to look into transportation issues by conducting dialogue with the community, transportation experts, and relevant stakeholders.

This year’s election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Early voting has already begun.

Name: Mukesh Bhatt

Age: 45

Town of residence: South Brunswick

Position sought: School Board Member

Family: Mukesh lives in South Brunswick community with his wife and two daughters who have been students in the South Brunswick School district for the last eight years.

Education: MBA

Occupation: Professional Services

Previous or current elected appointed office: No

Campaign website: http://mukeshboe.info/

Why are you seeking to run for a seat on the South Brunswick Board of Education?

I’m running for the South Brunswick School Board with the simple mandate to bring back quality decision-making since this governing body impacts every aspect of our school ecosystem.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Implement fiscal measures at the school level.
• Busing Services: Develop a detailed plan for the comprehensive restoration of busing services, outlining a clear roadmap.
• Capital Expenditure Prioritization: Establish a decision-making process for significant expenditures, considering essential needs
• Parental Involvement: Implement processes for active parental participation, fostering respectful two-way communication.
• Focus on Students: Center policies around children, curriculum, and innovative teaching methods, prioritizing students' educational needs and well-being.

What according to you is the biggest issue facing the school district right now?

I’m concerned with the budget cuts that are occurring within the school district. I believe that while fiscal responsibility is necessary, we can do a better job of prioritizing our spending on the essential services that impact thousands of families. We can offset this spending by optimizing our maintenance and capital expenditures. I realize that the budget battle will be challenging and will need to be waged both locally and in Trenton, but this battle can be won. There are always choices to be made, but we should never compromise the quality and richness of our children’s education. We also need to be mindful of the impacts these choices have on the parents.

SBSD is seeing regular cuts in state aid due to the funding formula. What plans do you have to ensure student services are not cut and there are no job losses for employees?

Addressing funding challenges in a school district requires a multifaceted approach.

• Financial Transparency: Maintain clear and open communication with the community about the financial situation. Transparency builds trust and can lead to more support from the community during challenging times.
• Budget Review and Optimization: Conduct a thorough review of the district's budget. Identify areas where cost savings can be made without compromising the quality of education. This might involve renegotiating contracts, optimizing capital expenditure, or streamlining administrative expenses.
• Advocacy: Work with local and state representatives to advocate for fair funding formulas. Collaborate with other districts facing similar challenges to strengthen the collective voice advocating for changes in the funding system.
• Efficiency Measures: Identify areas where operational efficiency can be improved.
• Diversification of Revenue Streams: Investigate alternative revenue streams, such as renting out facilities during non-school hours or offering community education programs that generate revenue.

Remember, the key is to involve all stakeholders – teachers, parents, staff, and community members – in the decision-making process. By fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility, creative solutions can often be found to address funding challenges while safeguarding student services and jobs.

How many budget meetings have you attended and have you put forth any solutions?

Five.

Transportation is a statewide issue. Do you feel transportation issues are being handled well by the district? If not, how do you propose improving it?

I believe the handling of the situation was flawed. The decision to cut buses for 250 families due to a lack of $400K seemed arbitrary, especially considering significant capital expenditure was made during the same period. A robust process, including a safety study and a comprehensive assessment of the impact on families, should have been followed. Although it might have been convenient to make the cut as the action is not legally binding. We have elected a board tasked with ensuring the administration follows proper procedures. This board should have led a rigorous process that would have informed the final decision. It's important for the district to engage in ongoing dialogue with the community, transportation experts, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that transportation services are meeting the needs of students and families effectively.

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

During the last 4-5 years, I’ve noticed a notable decline in the school board's performance quality. This decrease has had a detrimental effect on the decision-making processes, impacting both students and their families adversely.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

I am a resident of the South Brunswick community, where I live with my wife and two daughters, both of whom have been attending South Brunswick School District for the past eight years. I bring substantial administrative and governance expertise gained from advising Fortune 500 private and public organizations on their operational methods, governance, and policy matters.

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

I took the initiative in South Brunswick by leading a petition to reinstate the courtesy bus service. I engaged with numerous government representatives, advocating for the restoration of the buses. The decision to cut the buses was arbitrary and unilateral, made without regard for the significant impact it had on young parents, who were disproportionately affected.

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