Hillsborough School Board Election 2024: Jane M. Staats
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township's general election on Nov. 7 has five candidates running for three open seats for the Board of Education.
Jane M. Staats is running for one of the three, three-year seats against incumbents Elaine Jackson, Noor Jannah Hameed, Allison Laning-Beder, and newcomer Diane Braungard-Galayda.
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Jane M. Staats
Why are you seeking election for the Board of Education?
I have always felt a sense of obligation to serve others in the community. With my expertise and passion for education in particular, I have contributed as a public-school math teacher, parent, tutor, school volunteer, and school board member. I intend to use my expertise, experience, empathy, work ethic, knowledge in the field of education, and my knowledge about Hillsborough schools in particular to serve all Hillsborough students. I have been a positive influence regarding some board decisions, and I would like to continue to do so. My son has frequently expressed his appreciation for his K-12 education in Hillsborough public schools. I want to continue to help all of our students likewise benefit from their education in Hillsborough's schools.
Safety in schools remains a high priority. Enhancements were made to schools in the district with the implementation of a new security team. How do you feel about the changes and do you feel enough was done?
I strongly support all of the enhancements regarding safety and security in our schools. The new security team is focused on ensuring that our schools are as safe and secure as possible. They address issues in a proactive, preventive manner, and they also immediately respond to critical situations such as fights. Additionally, a visitor management system and a safety threat detection platform are just two of the recent improvements instituted by Superintendent Volpe.
We strive to continually improve in any area in the school district, and that includes safety and security. For example, we can explore whether or not the building monitors should be armed and/or broaden the use of panic buttons. Starting this year, following state law, high school students are no longer permitted to go outside to move from one part of the building to another. To lessen the inconvenience to the students, an indoor passageway will eventually be constructed. I have also worked behind the scenes to address security issues. We must remain vigilant to protect our students and eliminate any vulnerabilities to their safety.
The district continues to wrestle with balancing a budget due to state aid cuts. How do you propose trying to address this?
The Hillsborough school district, unlike other Somerset County school districts, has lost state aid for years due to an illogical state aid formula. Superintendent Volpe has communicated strongly to state legislators in Trenton on behalf of our district. I have spoken several times to our local state legislators about this issue, and I will continue to do so. The state needs to create a more logical state aid formula that is transparent and predictable.
The board and the administration have been diligent in finding savings where possible without harming the education of our students. Mr. Eckert, School Business Administrator, has been quite creative in this endeavor; similarly, Dr. Feltre, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, has found several grants that provide excellent resources for our students and staff.
The Board is looking into redistricting the schools in the future. Are you in favor of this? Why or why not?
I am definitely in favor of redistricting. A demographic study is currently being conducted in order to explore possible redistricting. There are currently two possible ways to redistrict: change which neighborhoods go to which elementary schools, and change the configuration of grades in the elementary schools. Both of these methods can create more equitable class sizes throughout the elementary schools. Last year, for example, classes in grade 3 in one elementary school had 26-27 students, while grade 3 classes in another school had 21-22 students. Of the two methods of redistricting, I favor changing the configuration of grades; for example, there could be three schools with grades K-2 and three with grades 3-4. With this redistricting method, because there would be more sections of each grade in the same building, equitable class sizes would be significantly more achievable and sustainable.
Both redistricting models would be a change, especially for our younger students, and change can be stressful. Admittedly, changing the grade configuration is more impactful in that it affects all staff and students in the elementary schools, and adds another transition to a new school for students.
Are you in favor of having full-day kindergarten in the school district? Why or why not?
Yes! I have supported having full-day kindergarten for several years. Fortunately, it's already in the works, so it's definitely going to happen as soon as possible. The state's kindergarten curriculum is based on a full day, so that curriculum is currently stuffed into a half day. While the teachers are providing their students with excellent instruction in the curriculum, they cannot take advantage of optimal learning opportunities. Students, especially our younger ones, profit from learning through play and hands-on activities, which are more time-consuming. Full-day kindergarten will provide the teachers and students with the time necessary to learn in the best possible way.
Necessary renovations will take place in the summer of 2025. Since the district is using existing spaces (not constructing new spaces) in the elementary buildings, I do have concerns that class sizes in grades K through 4 may increase to accommodate full-day kindergarten. Some of them are already too high. Hopefully, the aforementioned demographic study will mitigate that possibility.
What would you like to see improved in the school district?
In spite of last year's referendum, some class sizes throughout the district are still too high. Some classes in the elementary grades have 26-27 students, and some class sizes in grades 7 through 12 are 30+. As stated above, redistricting as a result of an ongoing demographic study hopefully will create a more equitable distribution of students among the elementary schools. Hiring additional teachers throughout all grades would definitely help. In two surveys available to all stakeholders, reducing class sizes was a top priority. In the strategic planning survey last fall, the priority of reduced class sizes was second only to that of a new high school. In last spring's survey, 83 percent of the respondents were willing to go beyond the 2 percent cap to address certain priorities. Of that 83 percent, 65 percent chose reducing class sizes as a priority, making it the top priority. (The second highest priority was chosen by 48percent of that 83 percent.)
The tiered system in grades K through 8 provides support for all students in those grades. However, at the high school, students are placed in either a CP course or an honors/AP course in English and mathematics. A great majority of our students are placed in CP courses, without any additional support for struggling students. Other districts have two levels of CP courses to better serve their students. Similar curricular offerings at Hillsborough High School would likewise better serve all of our students.
What other issues would you like to tackle if elected to the Board of Ed?
A new high school would better serve our students in grades 9 through 12, as long as we hire more teachers. As stated above, class sizes are too high and a new high school would better accommodate more classrooms. Hallways and other spaces are quite crowded. Building a new high school would be the opportunity to plan for a layout that truly benefits our students and staff in many ways, as opposed to the current patchwork of additions. However, I acknowledge that building a new high school would require a referendum and higher taxes.
Staff retention and morale also need to improve. Administrators can refer to exit surveys, and conduct surveys of current staff, to determine their concerns, and then act on the results of those surveys. They can also be responsive to staff when they come forward with their concerns. Retaining staff, especially teachers, is important for the sake of our students. True collaboration between the administration and staff would lead to an improved environment for the staff and better learning experiences for students.
For instance, if a decision that affects students is going to be implemented by teachers, then teachers should be part of the decision-making process. As experts in their fields, along with their current experience with students, the teachers can provide valuable input so that students can be more appropriately served.
What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?
I am an independent, open-minded thinker, and I listen to many points of view, especially opposing ones. After give-and-take of a respectful, compelling argument, I have changed my mind on issues, and I have changed others' minds.
I make decisions based on research, listening to all perspectives, my own expertise and varied experiences, empathy, and especially what is best for students. I believe that information should be gleaned from original sources, not from conjectures and rumors.
I doggedly pursue whatever I feel is a necessary goal, but always in a respectful manner. If there is a contentious issue, I will initially work behind the scenes to resolve it. If that proves unsuccessful, I may resort to more public avenues – but still respectfully so. My mantra is "Be truthful and kind to everyone." I try to follow that myself, and I encourage others to do so as well.
As a math teacher at Hillsborough High School, I have had an inside, unfiltered view of education in Hillsborough. I have stood up for the underdog, and I have pushed for policies and practices that I believed were best for the students, even when encountering resistance when I challenged the status quo.
Using my love for painting, I have volunteered as a scenic artist for the Hillsborough High School Theatre productions since 2010. As a member of Mary Mother of God Parish, I have been a volunteer with the Children's Liturgy for many years; I thoroughly enjoy the children's enthusiasm and my colleagues' passion and support. I also serve on the MMOG Liturgy Committee.
In the recent past, I volunteered for several years with the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance, the Somerset Valley Playhouse, and the Art and Environment Committee at MMOG.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?
