Meet The 2019 Kinnelon Board Of Education Candidates

KINNELON, NJ — Three seats are open on the Kinnelon Board of Education this year, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

David Gigante, Megan Fischbeck, Michelle Donus, Susan Nogaj Matteson, Ciro J. Giue, and Marcy Pryor are running for three open three-year terms on the board. We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were asked to keep answers to a maximum of 200 words each. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted.

David Gigante did not respond to Patch's requests for comment.

Megan Fischbeck

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

Committed to being the voice of the community, I am running for the Kinnelon Board of Education because I believe the Board of Education must vote with integrity and in the best interest of all of our students and our community. It is imperative that we stop losing our best in class teachers to other districts and improve teacher satisfaction, support, and recruitment, that we strengthen our relationship with the town council and residents, and that we work to meet the needs and support the success of all Kinnelon students and improve our special education resources.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

As I started to evaluate running for the board, I spoke to a number of people across the town of Kinnelon and found that a large part of the community has lost faith in the Board of Education's integrity. Many of our teachers do not feel safe and supported, and it is increasingly difficult to recruit and retain excellent teachers. Excellent teachers are essential to the development of an exceptional school district. I commit to working with the community, faculty, administration, and town council to increase communication and transparency and to diligently consider all sides of an issue before casting my vote for what I believe will be in the best interest of all our students and our town.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Integrity, Experience, Results

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

After graduating from Georgetown University, I joined Teach for America and taught kindergarten and third grade. I went on to become the head of Special Education at TEAM Academy Middle School in Newark, NJ and most recently have been proud to teach preschool at the Growing Place in Kinnelon. I am dedicated to serving our community and am currently Girl Scout leader to two Kinnelon troops and Team Manager of a Destination Imagination team that placed first in the state two years in a row. As an educator for the past 20 years, I know what it takes to attract the best teachers and build a district that the community can be proud of. I am the mother of three children in the district attending PRM, Stonybrook and Kiel Schools, as well as a fourth child who will attend Stonybrook in 2024, so I am deeply invested in the long term success of our schools.

Michelle Donus

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I love where I live and want to help ensure Kinnelon and our school's growth.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

There seems to be a perceived notion that Kinnelon is on the decline. I want to help make sure residents of Kinnelon, and other towns know that we are not. Our schools seem to be losing great teachers to other schools. I would like to help recruit and retain the best teachers, because our kids' futures depend on it.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Driven, persistent, motivated.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

Everything thing takes time and scheduling, research and action, learning to keep on track. Everything in my life has brought me to this point. Working my way up to an art director position in NYC, then as a broker/owner for a RE/MAX, field hockey coach, Destination Imagination Coach, Girl Scout leader, Mom, Event Planning.

Susan Nogaj Matteson

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

Like many, I am running for the BOE to help our school district and community provide the best education for our children.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

Similar to many districts in NJ, funding is becoming more of a challenge than ever. The amount of unfunded mandates by the NJDOE does not help and almost every time it impedes the district in adding any new programs like a full-day Kindergarten program.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

I’m friendly, steadfast and resourceful

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have been in Education for over 20 years. I have held teaching, counseling, and administrative positions. Given my diverse background and specialized skills set I have been able to help successfully implement new programs.

Marcy Pryor

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I am a taxpayer, a parent, and a career public educator for 27 years. I passionately want the best education for all of the children in the community of Kinnelon.

I received my Doctoral Degree in Special Education Administration from Columbia University, Masters in Educational Supervision from Columbia University, Master of Science in Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology, and Bachelor of Science as a triple major in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education from Temple University.

Since 2011, I have been a proud and effective leader on the Kinnelon Board of Education. I was twice elected BOE President and twice elected BOE Vice President by my peers.

I know how to get things done and done well, for all of the students in the District. There is important work to do, and I am committed to continuing to contribute my time and experience in enhancing student advancement, increasing District excellence, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing schools in our town is staying within the 2% budget cap while continuously modernizing our District for optimal student achievement. I rely on my fiscal conservatism, my experience in education, and my academic studies and research.

I am relentless in finding the best balance between the District’s budget and the students’ and District’s needs. During my 2-year tenure on the Finance committee, I carefully examined every line item in the budget and identified cost savings and redirection opportunities. For example, the BOE was able to use cap reserve money to purchase a host of technological resources, including iMacs, laptop carts, and projectors. The District’s budget has seen its lowest percent increase on record these past two years.

Furthermore, when additional social and emotional support for students was needed, I researched all of the options provided and supported bringing in the not-for-profit CarePlus. This program proved to be a beacon of support to students all at an economical price tag by providing the District with both a social worker and an intern. Due to this success, this program now doubled in size within the District.

I have and will continue to make tough choices to ensure tax dollars are maximized and spent on the best outcomes for the students and District. Due to my career and prior Board experience, plus my passion and work ethic, I will always continue to have ideas and insights to offer the Board. I want to continue to contribute to developing this District to its highest potential in the coming years.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Experience- 27 years teaching in public schools, including five years teaching at the university level, eight years on the Kinnelon Board of Education serving as Chair on both the Education and Personnel Committees. Education- Education is my passion. I believe in public education. I teach for my career and have a doctoral degree in education administration. Excellence- I strive for excellence for our schools, our community, and, most importantly, our children.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

One of the most significant examples of leadership is when I championed collaborative Strategic Planning for the District to be done with the community because it demonstrates my focus on the importance of communication with the community. Strategic Planning is an inclusive process that welcomed all community members (taxpayers, parents, staff, and students) to participate in determining the District and Board goals for five years. This collaborative process ensures that the District’s plan is directed by the vision and needs of the community. These goals continue to be used today.

Also, I promoted Sustainable Jersey for Schools Initiative. Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program to help schools go green, conserve resources, and take steps to a brighter future. This initiative provides tools, training, and financial incentives to reward schools as they pursue sustainability programs.

Separate from Board experience, I have served as President of my homeowner association and was chosen as the Bergen County Representative for NJEA’s Exceptional Children Committee. I have received many awards in the field of education, such as the New Jersey School Boards School Leader Award, Innovations in Special Education Award, ABC-7 Above and Beyond Inspiring Teacher Award, Governor’s Teacher of the Year, National Schools of Character Promising Practice Award, and others. I have been featured on multiple websites, newspapers, and television shows for a program I developed while working with students with special needs.

Ciro J. Giue

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

My wife Jaikish and I feel blessed that we found this wonderful community, Kinnelon, to start and raise our family. Since we've moved here this community has been overwhelming welcoming and warm to us and has been a great place to raise our children - Matt and Amelia. My overwhelming reason for running for the Office of Board of Education is give something back to this wonderful community. Our children deserve the best possible education experience we can give them - and its obligation to provide them with that

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge the Kinnelon School District is facing today is one that many public and private entities are facing - being asked to do more with less financial resources. Today, entities across the board are asked to do more with less. I would address this challenge by analyzing the current fiscal budget for any areas where funds could be re purposed to critical areas of education that will contribute to our children education. I would also look to implement other areas of revenue for the district beyond the tax funding that is provided.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Dedicated, Passionate, and Committed.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have over 25 years of solid practical business experience that will benefit me as a Kinnelon Board of Education member and will help bring a different perspective to the Board of Education. This experience has included running my own business and having fiscal/budget responsibilities at corporations.