With elections coming up for both our nation and our local BOE, political involvement is something that we all have to partake in. However, true information about each of our candidates is paramount in order to form wise, informed decisions. Below is the transcript of an interview conducted with BOE candidate Sydney Johnson in which she discusses her planned campaign policies and proven qualifications.

Who/What inspired you to run for our local BOE? What are a few campaign goals you hope to accomplish if elected?

• After my BLM march got a lot of traction and press coverage, I decided that I wanted to be more of a leader and make even more change. I went to Kinnelon High School– I saw the policies that the BOE implemented first hand. In addition to this, I have spoken at a multitude of BOE meetings about issues I have seen and/or experienced. Also, my family still lives in Kinnelon and my little sisters are in PRM. I care a lot about their education and all of the children’s education. 
• I firmly believe that children are the future and want to ensure they are receiving the best schooling possible. I think the most important issue our schools are facing is COVID-19. 
• My goal is to increase safety for as many faculty and students as possible whilst maintaining budget mindfulness. I think in-person schooling can make a big impact on early education, but legally we must still follow the state guidelines and I believe faculty and student safety comes first. 
• My other goals include budget mindfulness, diversity and inclusion (for LGBT students, people of all cultures, disabled students, etc.) and ensuring proper wages for faculty and staff.

What experiences/qualifications/beliefs do you have that are integral to your campaign’s validity? How have you attempted to reach out and connect to all members of our community, from the elderly to working adults to teens in high school?

• I serve on the Rutgers’ University Senate which is equivalent to the Rutgers’ School Board. From my hard work, I have become head of the Curriculum Committee and also am the only student selected and nominated for the Commencement Nomination Committee. I have spoken and passed motions for the Senate a multitude of times, so I have lots of experience in school administration. 
• I also work directly with high schools for my internship, Project 555, which is a youth voter initiative. I work with high schools and their administration to encourage and engage students into voting. In addition, I have a ton of leadership experience from doing the following: serving on the Rutgers’ Student Government as Secretary, Vice President of Art Students’ League, Treasurer of Writer’s League, and PR rep of the Political Science Honor Society. I am in two additional honor societies but regardless of my work, BOE would serve as my primary focus. 
• I have reached out personally to various alumni and current students to campaign. I also have reached out to the working adults through Facebook groups and social media. For the elderly, I have plans to do phone banking and also have signs around town. 
• I am a firm believer of a diverse and well rounded education. I don’t believe in swaying children to think a certain way- but giving them every possible (and valid) resource we can. In college, I wish I had more of a well rounded education that I can assist our current children in school in achieving.

How do you intend to support our faculty/staff should the pandemic continue to keep schools closed? For example, bus drivers, custodial workers, etc.

• Our faculty and staff have an important task (one of the most important in the world!) in educating our students. As someone whose workplace has closed due to COVID-19- I understand it is an extremely challenging time. 
• I personally do not think it’s right to charge our teachers with the strenuous task of educating our future, and leaving them in the dust once schools close. As mentioned previously- it is one of my campaign goals to ensure faculty and staff wages. I also think it’s important to intake our faculty and staff’s opinions when it comes to COVID-19.

How do you intend to support/prepare students for life past high school?

• Like I mentioned previously, by introducing a more diverse curriculum (and this can also include more sports and clubs with budget mindfulness) in order to create well rounded students prepared for the real world.