Meet West Morris Regional School Board Candidate Marina Kontos

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: Marina Kontos
• Campaign Contact name, phone number (n/a if you don't have one): N/A
• Previous elective office, if any: Incumbent
• Education: Vassar College, BA, Psychology, NYU, MA, School Counseling K-12
• Occupation: Currently volunteer at The Seeing Eye, Spin Instructor
• Fun Fact: Singer for Not Enough Jeffs (local amazing band), Marina and Sam Duo ( with Sam Strum, also local performances)
• What inspires you: My sons, kindness and good people, fitness

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

I am passionate about continuing the progress we have made during my tenure on the board in ensuring our schools deliver a superior academic and co-curricular experience. West Morris Regional has also continued to maintain and update our facilities each year, so that our students can be proud of their schools. We have done this while also staying at or below the state-mandated 2% limit on annual tax increases.

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 keeping tax increases to a minimum as we did this year with a decrease in taxes for Chester Township despite cost increases for health care, transportation and, in most years, special services that far exceed 2%. This challenge has been exacerbated by COVID-19 related costs and flat state aid. We will work hard to meet these fiscal challenges while delivering a high-quality experience for our students.

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 cannot comment on my opponent as I am not that familiar with her positions. I,ß however, already have demonstrated success in the position and understand the choices that have to be made in order to improve our schools within a fiscally prudent budget in my almost 4 years on the BOE. I was initially appointed to this position in 2017 replacing Marcia Asdal who gave up her seat to become the Mayor of Chester Township in January 2017 for the last year of her BOE term. I then ran for the full term in November 2017.

I have been serving on the Education Committee since the beginning of my tenure on the Board.

Also, while serving on the Board, I was Co-President of the Mendham Music Boosters for 2 years.

I have had two of my own children go through the WMRHSD with great success and my youngest is a current senior in the district. I believe that this personal experience can only be helpful in determining and evaluating Board agenda considerations as well.

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

My track record as the current Board member—

• a tax decrease for Chester Township this year;
• a successful immediate pivot to remote learning in March 2020;
• a successful on-time return to in-person learning in August;
• the first district in NJ to offer an International Baccalaureate Career-Program in NJ with student certificate pathways in Business, Life & Health Science, Political Science & Law, STEM and Visual & Performing Arts;
• one of only 3 NJ DOE designated Model World Language Programs;
• a proactive review of student wellness concerns that resulted in a redesigned school calendar and guidance program/staffing,
• a robust facilities plan providing for upgraded sound and lighting in the auditorium, a new boiler, improved lighting throughout the building, bathroom renovations, roof repairs, a new turf field and outdoor field lights, a new media center, new visual and audio tools in all classrooms that positioned us well for the current hybrid learning model, and, planned for this year, air conditioning for the gym.

All of these improvements have been implemented on a pay as you go, under 2% tax increase model.

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?

COVID-19 is just the latest financial headwind for schools. Well-run schools such as ours are continually looking for ways to do more with less and have demonstrated success in meeting that challenge. We have repeatedly restructured administrative responsibilities, most recently this summer, to ensure increased support/evaluation of instructional staff/departments while reducing costs and providing improved building administrative oversight over curricular and extracurricular programs/activities.

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?

As a Board member, I would encourage parents/ guardians of our students to get the students vaccinated in order to protect the health of everyone in the district community and our wider community, assuming the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective. Of course, the decision to vaccinate is a personal one.

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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