After sex ed, holiday disputes, Randolph seeks new leadership in school board races

Three members of the Randolph Board of Education declined to run for reelection this year, opening the door for new blood on the embattled board, which absorbed local and national criticism in recent years amid angry debates over school holidays at packed public meetings.

Seven candidates, including one former board member, threw their hats into the ring to help lead the district, which serves more than 4,300 students in four elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

The Daily Record and USA Today Network New Jersey asked candidates in select races about what's motivated them to run. Four of the candidates responded. Amanda Adams, Sheldon Epstein and Hazel Ball, running together on a self-described "Experience And Integrity" ticket, did not. Epstein previously served on the board from 2013 to 2019.

Those who did reply accused the district of "frivolous" spending, said the board needed to restore trust with parents and weighed in on the state's new health education curriculum standards, a flashpoint in board races across the state.

The standards set broad requirements which local districts then choose how to implement. They don't mandate sex education in the early grades, but call for discussions on debunking gender stereotypes by second grade. Fifth graders are expected to know “the connection between sexual intercourse and human reproduction,” whereas earlier standards discussed puberty. By eighth grade, students should understand the definitions of vaginal, oral and anal sex, the state says.

What follows are excerpts of answers from those candidates who replied.

Kelly Ann Arzberger

Arzberger is an IT project manager with a daughter in the middle school.

Arzberger's priorities: "With concern for the downturn in school rankings, along with the ever-increasing school taxes and the way the administration handled the pandemic, I began regularly attending school board meetings and witnessed a lack of focus on matters at hand and a rubber stamping, 'group-think’ mentality that have not positively impacted the ratings or the tax burden because other considerations or points of view were overlooked or ignored. We need change. Our teachers, support staff, students, and parents need to feel their voices will be embraced, not swept away by political or other agendas. Board transparency and lack of respect is a huge priority. Additionally, the BOE meeting format needs an overhaul to make it more collaborative, more approachable, and less combative. We cannot continue with the same business as usual."

Arzberger on the new sex-ed curriculum: "I am a firm believer in a parents’ right to decide what is and isn’t best for their own child when it comes to topics such as Medical Freedom, CHPE, SEL, DEI, and CRT. ... The district closed the Education Committee meetings to the public in March 2022, making the discussions about this class 'secret.' The district's new curriculum tool, Atlas, does not include resources for any class. I do not agree with the way the district has handled this new curriculum to date."

Arzberger on spending: "Over the past several years the school tax has consistently increased while the measures of the school delivering a quality education are declining. Now with the state of the country’s rate of inflation and rising costs, fiscal responsibility is more important than ever, necessitating a deep-dive review. Central office administration costs and salaries should also be reviewed to ensure they are competitive for the experience and performance an individual possesses. Frivolous spending on office renovations over school necessities needs to be stopped."

More: Sex education, district transparency fuel Randolph school board candidate forum

New blood: Randolph incumbents won't seek re-election but 7 others file for embattled school board

Layne Broyles

Broyles is a business development manager with two children in the district.

Broyles' priorities: "Providing a strong education must continue to be the main priority of our school district. Two of the items I will work towards implementing on a quarterly basis are Town Hall discussions with the community as transparency and communication are key. I would also support that our district host information hours regarding our Special Services program."

Broyles on new sex-ed curriculum: "I do not agree with the state's new sexual education curriculum prior to high school. I believe this topic is best taught by parents or caregivers. I do understand that this may not be a realistic option for every family. I believe our district would be best doing this as an opt-in curriculum versus the current opt-out format."

Broyles on spending: "It is vital to look at our finances from the top down and cut as needed given the state budget cuts. The district recently cut 35% from our elementary education STEAM budget while renewing our superintendent's contract roughly 18 months in advance with a substantial increase for the next five years. This was fiscally irresponsible and not what was best for our taxpayers and our district's future budgets."

Debby Rauch Lissaur

Rauch Lissaur is a strength-based executive coach and leadership development facilitator with one child in the district and another at the College of New Jersey.

Lissaur's priorities: "1. Bring down the temperature between the board and the community. I want our board to be respected and valued, and right now, tensions are high and parents are angry. The main reason for this is that parents do not feel heard. 2. Open a two-way dialog between the parents and the board. Right now there are only one-way public statements. Other towns have an open exchange. Why can’t we? 3. Restore trust. Right now, parents do not trust the board. This is primarily due to the board withholding crucial information. In response to parent frustration and anger, the board closed all education committee meetings from the public. This only fomented distrust."

Lissaur on new sex-ed curriculum: "I believe that below high school, much of what is in the new sexual education standards is too graphic for little ones. I do not believe anal sex is appropriate for a 10-year-old to be taught, and I believe doing so oversteps the boundaries of parent's authority."

Lissaur on spending: "The state has cut back on the funding provided to the district. Given that schools exist to educate, the maximum percentage should go towards academics and teacher support that make academic excellence possible. Administrative costs should be reduced to the extent possible."

Todd Schleifstein

Schleifstein is an attorney with one child in the district.

Schleifstein's priorities: "Provide opportunities for community members to express their views from board-driven surveys and town halls to office hours and simple opportunities for one-on-one conversations; Ensure the board always asks itself 'are we acting in the students’ best interests?' More than 100 teachers and staff left Randolph in 2021-22 and more than 20 since July. We need to reduce staff turnover. Fiscal Responsibility: Just because, we have always paid for it, it is part of a long-term plan or the district leadership recommends it, doesn’t mean the Board should approve it now. Hit the reset button on how the board communicates with the public. Stop the name-calling."

Schleifstein on new sex-ed curriculum: "Certain topics (such as gender identity), if mishandled in the classroom, can actually cause greater harm to certain children's mental health. I would like to see a comprehensive presentation to the parents on exactly what this instruction is going to look like. Unless compelling evidence to the contrary is presented to me (which I haven't seen to date), it's hard for me to see the value of introducing concepts of gender identity, anal sex or masturbation in the youngest grade levels (and perhaps in middle school as well)."

Schleifstein on spending: "The state has cut back on the funding provided to the district. Given that schools exist to educate, the maximum percentage should go towards academics and teacher support who make academic excellence possible. Administrative costs should be reduced to the extent possible."

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Who's running in Randolph Board of Education election?