Livingston resident Harsh Raju has announced his candidacy for the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education. There will be one open seat on the Board up for election this November. Board president Vineeta Khanna’s term will conclude at the end of the year, and she is not seeking reelection.
Raju and Fang Gong are the two candidates who filed petitions for the open seat prior to the July 31 deadline.
Below, Raju introduces himself, and his candidacy, in his own words.
• • • My name is Harsh Raju, and I’m thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Livingston Board of Education. My wife, son and I relocated to Livingston in 2021, drawn to the warm community atmosphere, breadth of recreational and extracurricular activities, and above all, a reputable school district with an outstanding curriculum.
My campaign stands on three pillars: leadership, passion, and service, towards students and staff of Livingston Public Schools (LPS). I have master’s degrees in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in electronics and instrumentation. Within graduate school, my varied teaching roles honed my strong leadership skills.
I have a deep passion for education that led me to pursue cutting- edge research in human- computer interaction, machine learning, and nanoscience. Passion is the fuel that powers my tireless work ethic. Icurrentlyvolunteer for several roles within my son’s Home School Association (HSA), including staff appreciation, book fair, multicultural night, and yearbook committee. My experience in wearing many hats within the HSA demonstrates my commitment to service. Having attended several of the Board of Education meetings, I have an in-depth understanding of the goals and challenges of our district. If elected, I will apply my leadership, passion, and service towards achieving LPS’s short-term and long-term goals, while taking necessary measures to counter challenges that our district currently faces.
Facilities, Budget, and Space
I will ensure that LPS continues to be fiscally sound and practices effective capital cost management, especially in light of the growing enrollment and need for space expansion. This would ensure continual addition to the capital reserve that can be used most importantly to-wards classroom instruction. Well maintained school buildings have a direct impact on student learning. I would support initiatives to fully fund the maintenance schedule of district facilities with a focus on improved ventilation and comfort.
In 2021, Livingston was voted to be among the best places to live and raise a family in NJ. According to the census data, the population in Livingston has risen over four percent in the last five years. The town is witnessing new redevelopment initiatives, and new multifamily project plans are being announced. This will continue to impact the ability of the schools in the district to cope with growth in the student population. I would endeavor to consider innovative and fiscally responsible ways to acquire classroom space.
Teacher Retention and Leadership
The profession of teaching has been revered since ancient times. Valuing pedagogy in addition to the choice of curriculum are equally important towards the educational outcomes of our students.
The recent announcement of the school district reaching a five-year agreement with the three Livingston bargaining units will help to attract new teachers and retain current staff. However, long-term evidence-based strategies need to be incorporated when considering ways to address recruitment and retention. Encouraging and supporting teachers to take leadership roles in teaching, including teachers in shared decision making, and reducing the income gap between teachers and other professionals with similar education, are some of the strategies I support to keep Livingston among the top school districts in New Jersey.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
Public education mandates that students within the district deserve individualized education that supports their learning and growth. To enhance inclusiveness, the individuality of the diverse population of students needs to be understood and embraced. To have equity within education, disadvantages need to be accounted for so that all students have the appropriate supports to reach their potential.
Providing students with equitable learning experiences ensures accessibility. I credit my wife, who is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, for having shown me an appreciation for the developmental needs of children, therapeutic supports, and Individualized Education Plans (IEP). I am committed to furthering the work that is already in progress in the district, towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Currently, an equity audit is underway. It will be crucial to best utilize the data that results from this audit. My extensive experience in data analysis using statistical techniques, would be helpful in advancing this effort. Inturn, this would drive the action plan in a solutions-oriented approach.
Striving to build a consensus within the board and with community stakeholders is necessary to propel forward. It is important that these factors be addressed early within children’s education, in order to have the best likelihood of successful long-term outcomes.
Community Outreach,Availability
I strongly support the idea that the Board of Education is a communication link between the community and the school district. Being a Board of Education member requires both a commitment to serve as well as a commitment of time. Currently, being a stay-at-home-dad to my wonderful son, a Livingston Board of Education member position would be a full-time role for me. I would seek to create a platform for engagement with the community and encourage community involvement.
If elected as a Board of Education member, I can invest my leadership skills, passion, and service, to contribute to the educational trajectory of the children in our district. I invite you to connect with me to discuss any of these topics in greater detail, share your thoughts and goals, discuss your valuable experiences, and join my campaign. Please reach out to me at [email protected].
