Meet Melissa Howard, Running For Secaucus School Board
SECAUCUS, NJ — Seven people are running for Secaucus school board this fall; voters will be asked to choose three.
Patch asked all seven candidates the same set of questions, and all seven responded. We are publishing the candidates' answers in the order they were received.
Can you give a brief bio on who you are: How long you've lived in Secaucus, your career experience, where you currently work, your age.
My name is Melissa Howard. I am 39 years old and have resided in Secaucus since I was 9. I have been married for over 10 years, am the mother of a current fourth-grade student at Clarendon School, and aunt to a junior in high school and a sister to an elementary educator in the district.
For those who do not know me, I am a graduate of the Secaucus Public School district, Felician College (where I graduated with a BS in business administration and accounting) and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I graduated with my master's in public administration.
With 18 years of professional experience in all levels of government, I currently serve as the treasurer for Bergen County and specialize in budget, grants and capital projects. I also hold Certified Municipal and County Finance Officer licenses from Rutgers University. I served as an adjunct professor, prior to the birth of my daughter, at New Jersey City University, teaching courses in advanced accounting and government and not-for-profit accounting.
Additionally, I have been actively involved in our community for eight years volunteering as a coach for both girls and boys basketball and am recently getting involved in coaching cheerleading. My professional experience gives me a unique skill set as I am familiar with financial and purchasing laws that govern both school districts and government entities.
Do you have kids or had kids in the Secaucus school system? Have you served on any prior school boards, or worked in education?
(My daughter) Bryanna is a current fourth grader at Clarendon School and my niece Avalyn is a junior in the high school.
I currently serve as an appointed member on the Secaucus Board of Education. I was appointed last September when Ms. Ruby Kish vacated her seat. (Kish moved out of Secaucus and thus could no longer hold the school board seat. The current sitting BOE members selected Howard to be her replacement.)
This will be my first time seeking a Board of Education seat via an election process.
What do you think have been the biggest mistakes or failures made in the past four years on the Secaucus school board/in the district? How would you have done things differently?
The primary challenge facing our district is its inconsistency. This inconsistency originates from the leadership role of the superintendent and extends to various areas, including communication with parents and policies regarding uniforms. To address these challenges, it is important that we appoint a long-term, committed superintendent. This individual should possess not only the professional qualifications necessary to lead our district but also a genuine commitment to fostering its growth and development. The focus should be on building the district and providing the necessary tools for success, rather than personal career advancement.
Although I am unable to vote on the superintendent appointment due to my sister's position as an educator in the district, I have my perspective regarding the qualities we should seek in our next superintendent. When interviewing candidates for positions in my office, I prioritize specific characteristics and qualities that extend beyond formal qualifications. I believe that the most qualified individuals on paper or those who are the most articulate during interviews may not always be the best fit for the role. Key human characteristics such as loyalty, integrity and honesty are critical.
On a lighter note, the number-one complaint I get from parents and students is the food services, which I feel we need to work on and improve.
If redistricting is again brought up — a proposal last year to put K-2 in Clarendon, and 3-5 in Huber — how would you vote for it? Yay or nay?
I would like to begin by expressing my support for redistricting within our district.
However, I believe it is essential to approach the redistricting process thoughtfully and recognize that it cannot be rushed; a one-year turnaround is unrealistic.
During our redistricting meetings earlier this year, I listened attentively to the concerns raised by parents, and I fully understand the frustrations that have arisen. As a parent of a child who would be directly affected by the proposed changes, I share many of these concerns. I also recognize that misinformation has circulated, exacerbating anxieties surrounding this issue.
Two concerns that I find troubling is one, how our current assignment of schools disproportionately impacts children with special needs. Our current structure for school assignments only calls for children and parents of children with special needs to be redistricted. I feel it is unfair that a child living in the Huber Street district can play with a neighbor yet cannot attend the same school. This discrepancy not only underscores the unique educational needs of these children but also affects their social and emotional well-being. Allowing children with special needs to remain in their home schools would further promote the development of inclusive educational environments. This is essential for all students, as the current challenges of accommodating diverse needs within Clarendon's capacity could lead to larger class sizes, ultimately hindering the quality of education.
My second concern was the number of parents that expressed the anxieties their children face in our school setting or moving around our school setting. This underlines a problem in our district that I feel we must address. If a child is anxious in their school setting, they are not receiving the full benefit of our educational system. I feel we as a district need to get to the bottom of what is causing these anxieties and correct that issue before we move forward with any other plans. I am hoping that my Stigma-free Mental Health and Well-being initiative will allow for us to address these issues district-wide, without families feeling their child will be labeled or treated differently because of it.
The benefit of redistricting, if planned correctly, I feel will outweigh the negatives. The need for continued redistricting discussions is critical to ensuring that all children have equitable access to education and improved educational opportunities. Redistricting would allow for us to introduce different curriculum, such as STEM or more advanced curriculum that we cannot currently offer. The ability to expand our curriculum would allow for us to meet the needs of all of our community students and keep them in district. The district does not have the ability to do this under our current structure due to the cost it takes to initiate the programs at both elementary schools.
Where are Secaucus schools doing well? Where can they be improved?
Very simple answer is educating our students. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary group of dedicated teachers and staff who consistently go above and beyond for our children. However, their efforts have been hindered by the absence of clear guidance due to the lack of a superintendent.
The quality of education in our district is not the primary issue; rather, it can be significantly enhanced by ensuring that we have the appropriate resources to support our curriculum effectively.
What do you see are the biggest issues facing the Secaucus school district in the next 2-5 years? How are you going to prepare for them?
Teacher attrition - The attrition of our teachers, coupled with the challenge of filling these positions due to higher salaries offered by other districts, is a pressing concern. It is crucial that we focus on retaining our educators and ensuring that any replacements share the same passion and dedication for our students.
Budgetary constraints – As budgets become tighter and state aid allocations shift, I am concerned that we may face difficult decisions regarding the education of our children. Recent local news reports have highlighted districts that are choosing to regionalize, close schools, or implement significant cuts to comply with budget constraints. I believe it is essential to initiate broader discussions to explore solutions that can help us address budget gaps without placing the entire burden on taxpayers.
Technology advances – I believe that education is becoming overly reliant on technology for teaching our children, which risks leaving behind a significant group of students who may not thrive in a digital learning environment. While technology is an essential tool in today's world, it is crucial to strike a balance between traditional book learning and online learning to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs.
