An Interview with BOE Candidate, Chris Diaz
Q: How many times have you run for a position on the West Orange BOE?
A: This will be my 2nd time. I ran last year when there were two open seats and started out with 7 candidates. I ran as a newcomer to politics, and a shoe string budget with my wife. We got almost 4,000 votes. After that election, a lot of people asked if I was interested in running again.
Q: Why are you running or what inspired you to run?
A: I have a daughter in the district and the initial emphasis for me running was that we had a significant HIB situation, and I saw the roadblocks as I navigated the process, and the matter resolved. I said to myself that I really wanted to make a change and I explored the different avenues. I think what I really said resonated to voters, and people reached out and said “I hope you throw your hat in the ring again,”
Q: What are your main policies?
A: I’ve broken my campaign down in Accountability to West Orange Taxpayers, improving Children’s Programs, and enhancing Transparency (ACT). I think we need to be more accountable for our students and teachers. We need to try to reduce the burden on the taxpayer and we can do that, but we just don’t ask for it. Our town council is good. The board does not reach out. We need to learn how to better manage our superintendent and make him aware that he works for the board and not the other way around. That goes for students and student programs. Better services in guidance, live up to our need to special needs students, raise our standardized test scores by offering to tutoring and support services to those who don’t have access to. Students can tutor each other and teachers would also be open to do that, and transparency, I’ve been calling for that as well. I think when we’re voting on issues that affect the students and parents that is done in open session, the board uses executive sessions often. Mark Robinson is breaking away from the path and is someone who I admire. The votes and discussion need to be held in public, and our robocalls are good, and they could be used to invite taxpayers to go to the voting meetings.
Q: How do you plan on improving the West Orange public schools, if at all?
A: We need to change our policy when it comes to the honors program. What’s on the honors test is done in complete secret, and if you ask a board member they won’t tell you because the superintendent creates the test in secret. That’s contradictory to state law. I think the dress code is sexist and body shames our girls, and single out children in middle school. I think a common dress code should be addressed. I’m very big on HIB reform, I think our district does not effectively investigate HIB claims, we do follow the law, however the HIB law is a very poor law. What I’m proposing is a means by which we can gage about how safe children feel in their own schools. And we can do that through individual schools on the first day of school. And if we can get the information from them and create a foundation, it would be an advantage in reducing pre teen and teen suicides, and raise in grades. I believe we need to conduct regular climate surveys of our children, teachers, and parents, and those are credible sources on how we are doing.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish on the BOE?
A: The ability to listen, learn and collaborate with students and administration and board members is to make the board as good as it can be . If we assume and consume a competitive stance, we get nowhere and a two year teacher contract.
Q: What do you think needs to change the most about the district?
A: We need to do a better job of communicating with each other, and managing our responsibilities. We have a responsibility to a lot of students and taxpayers and it’s an expansive job in local government because everything we do is expanded across the town. The notion of what you do affects everyone, and managing everyone of those is a major overhaul. We need to manage our administration, and our superintendent who thinks that he runs the board and its the other way around.
Q: Why should WOHS students who can vote, parents, and taxpayers elect you to the BOE?
A: They should elect me to the BOE because I’m an advocate. I’ve been an advocate for almost 20 years, I’m highly invested in our town, I’m an active member of our community, I’m a dad, I’m a supporter of students of all walks of life. I am an independent voice and I bring an independent approach to policy and governance and this our last chance. The board is considering to extend a contract for the superintendent and if we want someone who will question this, you will need someone independent. My promise to voters is that you will always have a fair and objective view of every decision I make before I make it.
