East Brunswick Candidate Profile: Curt Philipczak

Four candidates will face off for three, three-year terms on the East Brunswick Board of Education during the general election on Nov. 5. Candidates Holly Howard, Brad Cohen, Curt Philipczak and Erum Shakir are vying for three open seats on the East Brunswick Board of Education.

Candidates were asked to answer the same questions about themselves and their stances for East Brunswick Patch. Patch will be presenting the candidates in their own words with profiles running up until the election. 

CURT PHILIPCZAK CANDIDATE PROFILE

Age: 50

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background and why you should be elected.

I was born and raised in New Jersey my whole life. My wife and I have made East Brunswick our home for nearly 13 years. My wife and I are happy to raise our two children in this community who attend our East Brunswick Elementary Schools.

I graduated college with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting. I’m a Certified Public Accountant [CPA] licensed in New Jersey, practicing public accounting, for my own firm. In addition, I hold the public school auditing license of a Public School Accountant [PSA] in New Jersey and the global designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant [CGMA] from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. [AICPA]

Community service is very important to me. I enjoy being a Cub Scout Den Leader and a CCD teacher at St. Bartholomew’s Church. My wife and I are PTA Members and I’m on the Board of Directors [Treasurer] for my home Owners Property Association. [Windsong]

I believe I should be elected because I have a passion for being an advocate for our community. I’m proud of our school district. As a parent and business professional I value highly, having the opportunity to bring my perspective and point of view to the Board of Education.

2. What do you think distinguishes you from other candidates? What do you bring to the table?

I believe I work well with people in financial matters. I have worked on, planned and reviewed a wide range of financial solutions for my clients. The school budget will always be a part of the Board of Education’s focus and its ability to deliver the best for our students.

I want to contribute my time and expertise to the Board of Education, for the benefit of all. I believe it is prudent to be looking and planning for the financial future. I would like to be a part of the Board of Education budgetary process moving forward, working and looking for solutions, and to insure the best for our students and being respectful to the property taxpayers of East Brunswick. 

3. What are the most pressing issues facing the East Brunswick School District today? How would you approach and resolve these issues?

Currently, the Board of Education in East Brunswick is involved in a superintendent search. I believe this to be important issue because finding the right fit of goals and objectives with a person who may lead the district, in the future, is the most important directive a Board of Education member can ever be involved with. I look forward to working together with the other Board of Education members in finding the right candidate.

Another challenge that is important is school districts were mandated by the state of New Jersey to introduce teacher evaluations. I am proud of the great teachers we have in East Brunswick. I look forward to working with the school administration, in monitoring our compliance with the state mandate as it relates to the fairness of those evaluations.

There are no easy solutions to the formulation of a 133+ million dollar budget. It takes hard work by a number of dedicated district personnel, working together with the Board of Education.

I want the public to know, I’ll do my best to help deliver a fair, clear, comprehensive budgets with transparency, to all the taxpayers of East Brunswick, with the focus to always to be on the education of our children.