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 Karen D’Amico 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?
- One of my goals is to audit the District financial records so we have a transparent view at exactly where money is spent and why our district is short of funds per-Covid, as well as what financial impact we can expect as a result of Covid.
- I want to increase transparency and communication to the community. I also want to provide a means, perhaps by an emailed poll, to give the community greater input. I would also like to bring back the public vote on the budget.
- Lastly, I want to revamp the Department of Special Services and ensure it provides the resources, services, and staff for a top-tier public school like Kinnelon.
What experiences/qualifications/beliefs do you have which are integral to the validity of your campaign? 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?
- As a mother of two school-age children, and a homeowner, I am very vested in maintaining and growing the quality of Kinnelon’s education system, and in being mindful of the budget.
- I am also an attorney, admitted in New Jersey and New York, as well as a business owner. I have been a student in various institutions and know what it is like to navigate from leaving high school, to graduating law school, to getting to where I am today.
- Regarding speaking to people: It was important to me to connect with as many people as possible. I walked around to about 2,500 homes giving out a pamphlet about my goals and qualifications. I talked to as many people as I could along the way. I also stood in front of Stop and Shop and a deli meeting with people and asking questions about issues that are important to them. Doing this allowed me to meet a cross-section of our community members in terms of different ages and from different economic backgrounds. I wanted to hear from a broad range of people about issues that they felt were important regarding our school district.
- Those collective experiences provide me with the ability to help achieve the goals that I have set, and to work on new ones with the rest of the Board.
How do you intend to support our faculty/staff should the pandemic continue to keep schools closed? For example: bus drivers; custodial workers, etc.
- We need to abide by the State mandates that govern what transpires with faculty and staff during Covid.That said, we should try to make sure that they are given information in a timely manner so that they know what is taking place.
How do you intend on supporting/preparing students for life past high school?
- The best way to support our students is to have current and meaningful programs and curriculum that will offer students life skills, the ability to earn a meaningful livelihood, or to be able to pursue their career through further education.
