CRANFORD, NJ — Eight candidates are running for four open seats on Cranford's Board of Education this November.

There are three open seats on Cranford's board for three-year terms and one open seat for a two-year unexpired term. This seat is vacant due to the recent resignation of Maria Loikith from the board.

Incumbents Brett Dreyer and Patrick Lynch are running again to maintain their current seats on the board. Nicole Sherrin Kessler, whose term is also up this year, did not file to run again.

Candidates Brian Lopez, Susan Shaw, Thomas Grasso, Francis N. Riccio III, Christine Bradley and Jessica Soltys are also running for seats this year.

Brian McCarthy, who previously filed to run, withdrew from the race.

Patch asked all the candidates a series of questions ahead of the November election. (All of the candidates were given the same questions).

Here are candidate Patrick Lynch's answers below:

Facebook: Patrick Lynch for Cranford Board of Education

What office are you seeking? I am seeking a three-year term as a member of the Cranford Board of Education.

I have an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Seton Hall University and a graduate degree in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University.

I am a Vice President within the human resources organization for a top Fortune 500 financial services company with approximately 16,000+ domestic associates. From current and prior job responsibilities, I have garnered in-depth experience that I believe benefits the Board of Education: planning & compliance, defining operational procedures, financial management, recruitment, training, communication, project management and performance management.

Do you have a family? Tell us about them.

I am a nearly 23-year resident of Cranford who, along with my wife, who is a teacher, have two children (current Junior at CHS and a 2021 CHS graduate). My wife and I have always looked to give back to the community. In addition to my current tenure as a board of education member, for many years, I coached my son's baseball teams during the spring, summer and fall seasons when he played in the Cranford Baseball and Softball League. My wife coached our daughter's soccer teams when she played for the Cranford Soccer Club and she was also president of the Cranford Soccer Club for several years.

Why did you decide to run for the Board of Ed this year?

I am running for re-election to the Cranford Board of Education because I want to continue to give back to a school district that has benefited my children and I want to play a role in the ongoing effort to make the Cranford Public School District the best that it possibly can be for the children of our community.

I want to continue my efforts that put students first, support District teachers and administration and balance the needs of the taxpayers. I am proud to be a part of the Cranford Board of Education because I have been able to collaborate and achieve results with a great group of dedicated board members (past and present) and I want to continue working with them to achieve great results. To me, it is about doing what is right in a professional and meaningful manner for all of the approximately 3,700 children in our schools. It’s about continuing the conversation with the community to further explore ways to improve the District.

As anyone who has spoken to me knows, I do not have a set agenda and I always try to keep an open mind to changes as they occur.

Have you previously run for Board of Ed or served on the board before?

Yes. I have been a Cranford Board of Education member since 2016.

What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to serve on the Cranford Board of Education?

If re-elected, I will work together with the other board members and the administration on efforts that will continue to improve the District. Not one board member alone can implement change so while I do not necessarily have a set agenda and always try to keep an open mind to changes as they occur; I can say that I am interested in focusing on the following if re-elected:

What do you think is the most pressing issue for the Cranford School District?

At this point in time, the most pressing issue is maintaining fiscal responsibility while balancing the need for capital improvements with a referendum. There are capital improvements needed throughout the District which cannot be addressed through the District’s annual operating budget. Successfully addressing the District’s needs in a fiscally responsible way, with community approval, will be a win-win situation for Cranford – the students benefit, and Cranford will continue to be one of the most desirable places to live and raise families.

What will you do to ensure that students feel safe at school?

As noted in a prior response, the safety and wellness of students and staff will always be a top priority and significant improvements have already taken place. I will focus on continued improvements that include, but are not limited to, digital mapping of schools for use by safety professionals, upgrading cameras and exterior lighting, enhancing visitor entry mechanisms and continuing the partnership with Cranford Police Department for support, safety audits and training.

From a wellness perspective, it's all about providing an environment that students feel safe and can thrive. I support and push for continuous improvement of the District’s already strong school counseling program. I will also support continued training of staff through a Youth Mental Health First Aid Program and support the District’s implementation of Full Value (a behavioral commitment that inspires and encourages individuals to expect the best from themselves and their interactions with others).

What is your stance on the new sex education curriculum that has been introduced by the state?

As a parent, I naturally had questions and concerns about certain aspects of the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards adopted by the state of New Jersey in 2020. Particularly, certain sexual content that is in scope for younger students. However, my concerns have been mitigated by the way the Cranford Public School District has implemented the standards into their curriculum, along with the fact that parents can have their children opt out of all or any portion of the curriculum.

As already communicated by the District earlier this year, the standards introduced in 2020 were incorporated into the Cranford curriculum approximately two years ago, taking a commonsense approach that meets the standards, delivering suitable content at the most appropriate grade level.

There are no specific lessons required by the standards. Our teachers, under the supervision of the Health and Physical Education Supervisor, cooperatively created consistent and uniform lesson plans by grade level, which adhere to the standards and deliver age-appropriate content. Cranford has some of the best teachers around and are very attuned to what is appropriate for our children. Many of our teachers are parents, neighbors and friends who reside in Cranford which position them well to understand our community.

What is something new that you will bring to the Board in the coming year?

A focus on continuous improvement done in a manner that is achieved through strong collaboration and partnerships. The Cranford Public School District is high achieving and continuously ranks well in comparison to other school districts. However, the District cannot rely on past accomplishments and there is always room for improvement. This is why I will strongly support the District engaging the community to create a new five-year strategic plan and work to bring a referendum to the ballot for much needed capital improvements.

Anything else voters should know about you?

I did not originally pursue a seat on the Board of Education because I had a specific agenda or a narrow position regarding a policy or an issue. Instead, it has been about working with others to seek continuous improvement for the District. It is about doing what is right for all of the children and the entire community even if it is against personal preference. It is about attending countless meetings, school and other events to stay informed and help make informed decisions. It is about a team effort that extends beyond the Board of Education to the numerous township and community organizations that work together to help the District and children of the community be the safest and best that it can be!

NOTE: The statements made here are made in my capacity as a private citizen and not in my capacity as a board member. Statements made here are also not representative of the Board or its individual members and solely represent my own personal opinions.

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