Election 2020: Mendham Boro School Board Candidate Robert Largman

NEW JERSEY - In a few short weeks what is expected to be one of the most charged elections in modern history is set to take place and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 3 election.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the county clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Russ.Crespolini@patch.com. What you see below are their answers with mild style edits.

• Name: Robert Largman
• Campaign Contact name, phone number (n/a if you don't have one): Robert Largman
• Previous elective office, if any: (n/a if you don't have one): N/A
• Education: Bachelor of Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Occupation: Senior Manager, Pfizer
• Fun Fact: I have visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states
• What inspires you: My children living in America. They have a bright, exciting, adventurous, and uncertain future. It is up to us to provide every child an opportunity to succeed. Our country gives them a great platform on which to excel. What are we going to do to see that they have the best education, environment, and skills to succeed?

1. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

I have two children attending the Hilltop elementary school. I anticipate that they will be educated educated in Mendham Borough and then the West Morris Regional School District. As such, I am keenly interested in the priorities, goals, and successes of our School District. Education is a cornerstone of success for all kids. I want to help ensure that the education our children receive is the best it can be. I can try to affect changes as a concerned parent, but that would limit my successes to my children. I want to be sure that our entire student population benefits by an education that is best in class. The best way I can do this is through serving the community as a Board of Education member.

2. The single most pressing issue facing our school district and what you intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is preparedness, and this is what I intend to do about it. This is a pretty all-encompassing word and I believe it touches on every issue our school District faces. This includes budgets, curriculum, training, and support for students' academic needs at all levels and needs. This list may appear to be daunting, but we need to be prepared. This is a "roll up your sleeves" type of activity and I'm ready to address it. We need to plan, we need to formalize our plans, and we need to share these plans with our community. Programs and processes need to be formalized and easily accessible so that educators have playbooks to follow and parents know what to expect. Plans are dynamic and as our District evolves, so should its plans. We want our community and prospective new community members to understand the education we offer and how we deliver it. It doesn't make sense that we do not have plans to address scenarios that we know will arise. We need to have plans and playbooks so our teachers have guidance on providing fantastic educational experiences for students. We need to have plans and playbooks on how to do school@home. We need to have plans and playbooks on how we are meeting State requirements. Far too many times it seems we are unprepared for scenarios and situations for which we should be prepared. I intend to work towards having those plans available within the District and that are implementable by teachers, staff, and administration. These plans and playbooks need to be forward looking, agile, and used towards improving education.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board? If unopposed, describe the issues that define your campaign platform.

I am sure that all four candidates vying for the open Board seats care about the education being provided to our students. The question is, where is their focus? How fervently are they willing to work to provide the best possible education? How creative can they be and bring unique perspectives to apply new solutions to help our District maintain a status that is best in class? I will do all of these things. I will encourage collaboration with the community. I will be tireless in my pursuit to ensure the District is doing everything possible to provide top notch educational experiences. I will bring a perspective that is unique and creative by applying my diversified background, my business skills, my creative problem-solving tactics, my educational experiences, my abilities to work as a team member and team leader of 4 Olympic Teams and channel them to serve our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

I have spent 21 years working with athletic teams as a coach and Team Leader from World Championships to Olympic Teams. In these roles I have had to make decisions by evaluating strengths, weaknesses, and risks to help achieve success. I have had to make decisions with limited funding and seemingly unfair constraints to find the best way to allow our athletes to succeed. I have also had to find ways to be creative, work with numerous and sometimes competing constituents, to ultimately clear a road to achieve our goals of reaching the medal podium ... and we did. I have developed processes, plans, and playbooks to address scenarios that arose which ultimately allowed the capacity to address unknown situations which we knew would eventually arise. I will use all of these skill that have served me well in that arena to help our students excel in theirs.

Recovering from COVID-19 is going to put a significant financial strain on the schools. With so much of our tax dollars going to support them. But cuts will still be needed. Where do you see room for budget improvement? What things will you go to the mat to defend?

Education. That's it, education. I will defend our children's right to a robust, uncompromised education. Extraordinary, unprecedented challenges rolled in but the clock never stopped for our children. Their need for well-rounded, well-developed education remains paramount. Their future depends on the education we provide to them now. Education includes academics, arts, athletics, music, involvement, clubs ... everything. Our responsibility is to provide education in a way that yields intelligent, resilient, well-rounded community citizens of the future. Is science more important than art? Is ecology less important than math? Is music more important than sports? Everything goes to help our children grow. These decisions are hard. Budget cuts are a ubiquitous reality. Tough decisions will need to be made. But, the quality of the education we provide is one standard that cannot falter and one that I am not willing to compromise without a fight.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put into focus the issue of mandatory vaccinations. If such a movement gains traction, where do you stand on the issue for your community?

To be straightforward ... I don't know. I believe it is premature to take a firm position at this time. To address an issue of this complexity without first applying due diligence would be a disservice to our community. I am in favor of protecting our students, faculty, administrators, and support staff. I am a proponent of science. I look forward to working with fellow Board members as we evaluate all of the valid scientific data available and consider it in concert with the needs of our Community. There is so much that is not known right now. Decisions need to be made on the best, unbiased information that is available. Any decision that I am a part of will incorporate these factors to make the best decision possible for the safety and welfare of our students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the entire community.

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Murphy, there have been many questions about how the process will work. Below is some further reading on the Nov. 3 election process:

• Here's How NJ's Mail-In General Election Will Work: What To Know

A primarily vote-by-mail election means a lot of changes to election day. See what you can expect this November.

• What's A NJ Provisional Ballot? How Does It Work? Patch Found Out

Those not needing an ADA compliant booth will need a provisional ballot to vote in-person. Here is what that will look like.

• Do Mail-In Ballots Force NJ Voters To Lie? Here's The Answer

There was language on the primary ballots asked voters certify they requested the ballot, even if they didn't.

• How Are Election Signatures Verified In NJ? Patch Found Out

Voters wondering how their signatures are checked before the upcoming election can see the process for themselves.

• How To Register, Track Your General Election Vote Online In NJ

Need to register for the upcoming election? Want to track your vote once you do? Read on to learn how.

• Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In New Jersey

Here is a recap of important dates to remember with upcoming election, all in one place.

• NJ: Get A Wrong Or Duplicate Ballot? It Is Probably Your Fault

Confusion and concern has reigned as ballots arrive, here Patch got some answers from a county clerk.

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