BOE Candidates Question 4: Fulfilling Board Commitments

Glenn Elliott
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QUESTION 4: The BOE is the most demanding community position in Verona, and you all have day jobs. What in your current job roles and responsibilities might prevent you from fully carrying out your duties on the BOE?

I was first elected to the Board of Education in 2004, and have served 4 terms over 13 of the last 15 years. I can state with all confidence that my professional life has never conflicted with the role and responsibilities of a board member. In addition to my professional background, I have significant experience in other volunteer roles that have enhanced my time on the BOE.

• I’ve been Vice President of the Verona Music Parents Association for 5 years, and currently its longest serving Executive Board member.
• I was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 2 Verona for 5 years and a Cub Scout Den Leader for 5 years.

Typically there are only a few situations that create a problem; if you travel extensively for work or are teacher. Extensive travel is an issue for obvious reasons, being a teacher is a problem because of their membership in the NJEA or local bargaining unit. To put it simply, board members that are also members of the teachers union are statutorily prohibited from negotiating or voting on the contract for the district in which they serve. Currently Verona has one teacher serving on the Board of Education. It’s not too difficult having one board member as teacher and they bring a great perspective to the Board. Having another elected to the board would be problematic. It shifts a primary responsibility, negotiating the teacher’s contract of the BOE, to the only three remaining members. Also, only having three members ratify a contract is not a great, or even a good, practice. We’ve had significant turnover on the Board in the last year, adding two great new members. This is really a good thing, new ideas and perspectives are critical. But stability and continuity are just as critical and THIS is what the Verona School District needs now.

During my tenure the Board has made incredible progress in the areas of curriculum, facilities, mental health, staff development, strategic planning and technology. A few examples include:

• We’ve seen significant and sustained improvement on National and State academic performance recognitions, including:
• College Board 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll (recognized for dramatic improvement)
• America’s Most Challenging High Schools #318 in Nation (a climb from #1512 to our highest rank ever)
• NJ Monthly Magazine Top High Schools #24 in New Jersey (a climb from #94 to our highest rank ever)
• U.S. News & World Report 2019 Best High Schools (unranked in recent history to our highest rank ever)
• Delivered successful facility referendums in 2005 and 2014, on time and on budget.
• Developing the last two 5 year-strategic plans
• Enhanced school safety with facilities upgrades and implemented new procedures through planning, collaboration and coordination with our safety team and partnership with local emergency response teams and law enforcement.
• Developed and passed a second question for mental health programming.
• Expanded full-day kindergarten through approved second question.

Thank you and I ask for your support on Nov. 5th, to continue the great work and deliver even better results.