School Board Candidates: Meet Todd Simmens

Welcome to East Brunswick Patch’s 2011 School Board Election Coverage. Each day this week we will present information on one of four candidates seeking a three-year seat on the school board.

School elections will be held Wednesday, April 27. On the ballot for school board will be incumbents Laurie Lachs, Todd Simmens and , who are seeking re-election, and , who is hoping to win a seat for the first time.

Voters also will get their say on the district’s$128 million spending plan that calls for eliminating 25 full time teachers.

The budget carries a $108,924,563 school tax levy and calls for a school tax rate increase of 9.88 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That means the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 can expect to pay $98.80 more in school taxes next year. For a video of recent school budget presentations, click here.  For more information on the budget, visit the school district's budget information page, here. 

Today we visit with Todd Simmens.

Simmens is an attorney and certified public accountant with with BDO USA, LLP. He received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Drexel University, a Juris Doctor degree from Penn State University Law School and his master of laws (taxation) from the Georgetown Law Center.

His wife, Michele is a graduate of East Brunswick HIgh School, and his three children, one entering Hammarskjold and another entering Central. Another daughter is in preschool. 

He is currently the school board president.

1. What are the biggest issues the school board is facing over the next three years?  How to you think the board has handled similar problems in the past?

The biggest issues facing the school board over the next three years include unprecedented budgetary and economic challenges and the imposition of new mandates from the state.  The board has been responding to the downturn in the national and local economy over the past several years by reducing spending by nearly $6 million since 2008, and by making it a priority to stabilize and flatten the school budget.  The board has been able to achieve this by undertaking significant cost-cutting measures and by identifying ways to generate revenue for the district, by, for example, offering new after school programs on a fee basis.  Cost containment, however, does not come without some impact to our programs.  For example, the district’s elementary world language program and the long-standing Summer Academy program are being eliminated due solely to decreasing resources.

2. How can the board balance decreases in revenue with maintaining a high quality education for students?

The board has balanced recent decreases in revenue with its responsibility to maintain a high quality education for all students in many ways.  First, the board has become even more efficient in the delivery of its programs.  For example, more of the district’s special education students are being taught in-district rather than attending tuition-based out-of-district schools.  While this affords the district significant savings, it allows more of our kids to be taught among their peers and participate in activities with their classmates.  Moreover, the district is very successful in applying for and receiving grants to pay for new and innovative programs at no cost to the district.  Many of these grants allow the district to participate in programs or launch new curriculum that would not otherwise be available.  The board also continues its relationships with local colleges where high school students may take courses for credit at no cost to the district, often providing students with college credit before they graduate high school.  Balancing diminishing resources with the board’s responsibility to deliver a top quality education is becoming increasingly challenging; however, the board continues to look for new ways to meet its challenge.

3. This year’s school budget calls for cutting an additional 25 teachers.  Last year’s spending plan meant a reduction of 99 school district employees.  The question is, is there a point when laying teachers off is no longer an option?  Will there be a moment when you feel “enough is enough”?

Reducing staff presents a number of challenges, such as increases to class size, elimination of programs, and decreasing staff morale – particularly when the district finds it necessary to respond to budgetary constraints through adjustments to staffing levels.  In 2010-2011, this resulted in the elimination of many positions.  The elimination of some of these positions set in motion the end to some district programs, such as world language in the elementary schools.  On a district-wide basis, class sizes have increased.  Eliminating more positions means the loss of programs and further increases to class size; if the board must continue to eliminate positions, the district will have a difficult time maintaining its core programs. 

4. On the education side, what would you like to see the district focus on to prepare students for graduation, college and careers?

The district must continue to differentiate instruction in the high school level by offering courses that appeal to and challenge every student, including those that plan to attend college, enter the workforce, or serve in the military.  While East Brunswick’s graduation rate is among the highest in the state, that, itself, does not guarantee that each graduate will be successful in their chosen path.  The district’s curriculum and extra-curricular programs must address the needs of the whole student, and a student’s high school path must be flexible enough to ensure success for students at every level and with varying post-graduate interests.

5. Tell us in your own words why you would like to run, why you think you will do a good job, and what you hope to accomplish?

 I believe board members can make significant contributions to the opportunities available in our schools.  I bring to the district my experience as a CPA and tax lawyer, as well as several years on the board of trustees of my law school.  I am seeking re-election so I can continue to have a positive impact on the future of our community and our district, to help ensure that the district is able to sustain its core programs going forward, and to help continue to make our town a great place to live.