Helen Koulikourdis: Putting Students and Fiscal Responsibility First

Helen KOULIKOURDIS is running for re-election to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education for Franklin Lakes under the banner "SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS"

Age: 51

Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pace University

Occupation: Hospital Administrator, White Plains Hospital

Volunteer service:

• Current Parish Council President, Prophet Elias Church
• Former Franklin Lakes Education Foundation Executive Board
• Former Vice President, Franklin Avenue Middle School PTA
• Volunteer coach for girls' volleyball, St. Nicholas Church

Other experience relevant to the position:

• Board of Education Member, Ramapo Indian Hills School District (since 2020)
• Finance and Facilities Chair (2022), Finance and Facilities Member (2024)
• Negotiations Committee Member (2024)

Links to social media and website:

• https://www.supportingourstudents.org/helen-koulikourdis
• https://www.facebook.com/Helen4RIHBOE
• https://www.instagram.com/helen4rihboe/

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

No.

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

I’ve lived in Franklin Lakes for 24 years. I grew up in Yonkers, NY.

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

The key issues include:

Financial responsibility: Many Franklin Lakes families are concerned about increasing taxes. I’ve consistently worked to keep spending in check while ensuring students have access to the resources they need. I opposed unnecessary expenses, and I will continue to prioritize fiscal responsibility. As Finance and Facilities Chair in 2022, I worked with the committee and administration to keep the budget balanced and ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds, even during challenging inflationary times.

Academic focus: We need to ensure that our schools remain focused on student achievement. I support rigorous academic programs and high standards to prepare students for their futures. Our curriculum should be free of distractions from political agendas.

Community trust: Many families feel disconnected from the decisions made by the Board. As a Board member, I’ve worked to improve transparency by supporting initiatives like livestreaming meetings and increasing communication with parents.

Why should someone choose you over your opponent?

I bring both experience and a proven track record of service. As a Board member, I’ve prioritized student needs while keeping taxes in check and maintaining a focus on fiscal responsibility. My roles as President of my Parish Council and Vice President of the PTA taught me the importance of consensus-building and collaboration—skills I bring to the Board, even when facing challenges from the current board majority.

In contrast, my opponent, Caryn Nash, aligns closely with outside groups promoting a divisive agenda. Her campaign is heavily supported by public figures and the majority board members pushing personal agendas over the community’s varied needs and priorities, injecting politics into our Board of Education. That’s a clear difference between us.

I believe school boards should be free of partisan politics. While I am a Republican and have supported the party in my private life, I know my role on the Board of Education is to serve all students, regardless of political affiliation. That’s why I’ve respected the Board’s nonpartisan mission—something my opponent has not, consistently blurring the line between education and politics.

Above all, I’m committed to ensuring our schools remain focused on academic excellence, financial responsibility, and community trust. With my experience, I’ll bring a solution-focused, steady approach to addressing our district’s most pressing challenges, ensuring that we move forward in a way that benefits every student and family in our community.

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?

Transparency: I will continue to support measures like livestreaming meetings and ensuring key decisions are communicated clearly to the public. This would make it easier for families to stay informed and involved.

Open forums: I will continue to advocate for community forums and board meeting livestreams where residents can more easily participate, ask questions and raise their concerns including with allowing remote participation. Inclusivity means listening to all voices, not just those who agree with you—something the current Board majority and my opponent have shown through their words and actions does not matter to them.

Nonpartisanship: One of the main ways to reduce division is to keep partisan politics out of education. I’ve always focused on student outcomes, not political ideologies, and that will continue to be my priority.

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?

There are several issues at stake in this election, which tie into broader concerns about the direction of the Board. One that stands out is the school enrollment disparity between Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools, which affects resource distribution and student opportunities. However, this is just one piece of the puzzle. As I’ll address further below, other critical issues like financial mismanagement and the lack of transparency are also putting our district, and our property values, at risk.

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?

I am a registered Republican, and I have been an active supporter of the Republican Party in my private life. However, I believe that the Board of Education should remain nonpartisan. My focus is on education, not political ideologies, and my decisions are always based on what is best for all students and families. I respect the nonpartisan nature of the Board, unlike my opponent, who has brought partisan politics into her campaign.

What else would you like people to know?

There are several urgent issues that voters should be aware of in this election. In addition to focusing on academic achievement and transparency, here are other key concerns:

Out-of-control spending on legal fees: Under the current Board leadership, legal fees have skyrocketed due to poor decision-making and increased litigation. This has diverted district resources that should have been spent on improving student outcomes.

Increased litigation: The inability of the Board majority to manage conflicts and work collaboratively has resulted in a surge in lawsuits, driving up costs and creating further division within the community.

Lack of transparency: The current Board leadership has repeatedly failed to follow transparency laws, limiting public access to important decisions. This has eroded trust in the Board and its leadership. I have consistently pushed for better communication with parents and the community to keep everyone informed about what’s happening in our schools. During the recent superintendent recruitment process, while I was not successful in swaying the Board majority, I advocated for a more transparent and collaborative process that included community feedback and focus groups. Transparency is something I’ve worked on since day one.

Overstepping their role: The Board majority’s overreach into district operations disrupts stability and undermines the professional roles of the expert educators.

These issues have directly contributed to the unprecedented turnover of key district staff, including the superintendent, business administrator, and curriculum director. Talented professionals have left the district because they can no longer work under the current Board’s micromanagement and dysfunction. This constant turnover has created instability in our schools and disrupted progress on important initiatives that affect both students and the community.

These problems don’t just impact our schools—they affect the entire community. When the Board fails, it undermines public trust and threatens to lower property values. Voters deserve leadership that prioritizes student success, fiscal responsibility, and good governance, not partisan politics and mismanagement. My experience in budget management, leadership transitions, and advocating for transparency uniquely prepares me to address the challenges ahead. As our district continues to navigate financial pressures, leadership changes, and academic challenges, I’ll bring a steady, solution-focused, data-driven approach that prioritizes students and rebuilding the community’s trust.

Final Note:

Many community members have reached out about the misinformation my opponent and her supporters are spreading. This is similar to tactics used in 2021, and I invite anyone with questions to reach out to me directly for clarity and the facts

If you have questions or concerns, please email, call, text, or contact me through my website. I’m here to provide answers and stand by the truth. This type of smear campaign discourages good people from running for and serving on our board of education, and it’s disappointing. I’m committed to integrity, transparency, and supporting our community with honesty.

Disclaimer:

Helen Koulikourdis is a member of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education (RIHBOE). Statements are made by Helen as a private citizen and have not been authorized by the RIHBOE.