Recently, our opponents have posted a list of claims attacking the leadership and results of the current Board of Education, including our team. However, much of what they have stated is either misleading or entirely inaccurate. Our community needs to have the facts, and we want to take this opportunity to address these claims directly.
But before we dive into the details, it’s important to recognize that one of their own candidates was also serving on the board during the time they are criticizing. This begs the question: if these issues are so pressing now, why didn’t their candidate demonstrate the leadership or initiative to move these ideas forward when they had the chance?
Let’s break down some key points from their post:
1. Inaccurate and Misleading Statements
Much of the information shared by our opponents lacks context and, in some cases, is simply not true. For example, their claim about the ES test results ignores the full scope of our student performance data, which shows improvements across multiple areas, despite statewide challenges. In addition, they fail to mention the role that their candidate played in discussions about the direction of the curriculum and improvements during that period.
2. Failure to Act on Proposals
Several initiatives mentioned, such as proposals regarding building security and infrastructure improvements, were discussed extensively. However, their candidate lacked the training and expertise to effectively present these ideas in a way that could convince other board members of their merits. In fact, many of these proposals were either incomplete, lacked evidence to support their claims, or did not address the needs of the district in a comprehensive way. This is not an issue of obstruction but of poor leadership and planning on their part.
3. Lack of Collaboration and Leadership
True leadership requires the ability to collaborate and bring people together for the greater good. Unfortunately, their candidate was unable to garner support from even two other committee members on claimed key issues. This inability to work collaboratively demonstrates a clear gap in leadership. When ideas fail to move forward, it’s often because they have not been presented with a compelling case backed by data, research, and collaboration—skills that are essential for any effective leader.
4. What We’ve Achieved
Despite the misleading claims from our opponents, our team has worked diligently to lead Hardyston Schools through difficult times. Here are just a few of the tangible results we’ve delivered:
- Secured critical infrastructure improvements: From resealing the elementary school roof to upgrading boilers and ensuring safety, we’ve tackled long-term needs that ensure our schools are safe and efficient.
- Maintained balanced budgets: Even with the loss of state aid and funding challenges, we have implemented shared services and cost-saving measures that allow us to avoid cutting critical programs while keeping taxes stable.
- Supported a safe learning environment: We’ve worked alongside local law enforcement to ensure our schools have appropriate security measures in place while maintaining a positive, welcoming environment for all students.
5. Looking Forward: Leadership that Delivers
The real question our community should ask is this: Where was their candidate during all of this? While these decisions were being made, their candidate failed to push forward any meaningful initiatives, lacked the training to effectively manage these proposals, and ultimately could not rally support within the board.
In contrast, we’ve delivered consistent, results-driven leadership that has kept our schools moving forward, even in challenging times. We’ve engaged with the community, listened to feedback, and worked tirelessly to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students, teachers, and taxpayers.
Conclusion
We believe in Leadership, Integrity, and Excellence—not just as words, but as actions. Our track record speaks for itself, and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished for Hardyston Schools. Don’t be swayed by misinformation—look at the facts, the results, and the leaders who have shown up time and again for our community.
If you have questions or want to learn more about our accomplishments and vision for the future, we encourage you to reach out directly. Together, we can continue to make a difference for our students.