Kathryn Worland

I’m running for the Board of Education because I feel strongly about the importance of exceptional, comprehensive education that benefits both our students and our greater community. Having a premier school system attracts educationally-minded families and produces civically-minded young people. Instead of a collaborative environment with a shared focus on educational outcomes, Board Meetings have become a contentious experience: both with the attendees and within the Board itself. I want to work with, not against, my fellow board members and involve the community to build a partnership for everyone – those with and without children in the school system.

Francine Pfeffer

Education is a right, not a privilege, and public education serves everyone. However, the Montgomery Board of Education isn’t operating effectively, which is hurting the students, the staff, and the community. As an attendee at board meetings, I see board members argue unproductively about curriculum and the budget; I am sure there are other unresolved issues out of the public view. While it is natural for members of a board of education to have differing opinions, the disagreements I see are not indicative of a board that is working toward mutually acceptable agreements. This does not help our students or our community. I want to help the Montgomery board work in a more collaborative and productive manner, have a more unified voice, and be a body that respects the expertise of the staff, while ensuring our children get the best education for their future.

Julius Nunez

As a father of three, I have a deep, personal investment in our schools. I will work to balance investing in our students’ success, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive while continuing a commitment to fiscal responsibility. If elected, I will work tirelessly to create an environment that maximizes learning opportunities and fosters intellectual curiosity, providing the best-in-class education that Montgomery is known for.

Kathryn Worland

My educational background (graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University with a degree in economics), my professional experience teaching and tutoring high schoolers (from students struggling with Algebra to those looking for a perfect 800 on the Math SAT), and my on-going commitment to the community (Co-President of the Montgomery Elementary Schools PTA; Co-President of the Montgomery Middle School PTO; secretary of the Montgomery Basketball Association; scheduler for the Montgomery Youth Lacrosse Club; and appointed voting member from Rocky Hill for the Montgomery + Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance) all recommend me for this position. But really, I believe my most fundamental qualification for this role is my temperament. It takes dedication to sit on this Board of Education and listen to the variety of concerns from very passionate stakeholders – students, parents, community members. I am intimately familiar with the relentless time and energy commitments required to deliver a great experience for kids: interfacing with parents and the broader community, coordinating logistics to manage organizations, and quantifying details of financial stewardship and fundraising. And I am willing and able to make that commitment to this school district and to this community.

Francine Pfeffer

I am a former high school teacher and school librarian who is now an Associate Director of Government Relations at the NJEA, where I advocate for students, staff, and schools. Because of this experience, I understand how schools work. I worked in a large comprehensive school system (bigger than MTSD) and in a vocational school district. I understand student needs across the spectrum, from the least to the most able of students. I know the rules and regulations that apply to schools, as well as the limitations under which they operate. I understand the role that everyone plays in a school system: students, parents, ESPs, teachers and educational services staff, administrators, and the Board of Education members.

My employment at NJEA is an asset, not a detriment, as my work experience equips me to be an extremely effective board member, for I will arrive in the role with a comprehensive understanding of school district operations and limitations. While I would recuse myself from MTEA negotiations and deliberations, as per School Ethics Commission advisory opinions A34-14 and A130-13, on balance, my knowledge of student needs and issues facing public education will help serve the students and residents of Montgomery and Rocky Hill.

Julius Nunez

Professionally, I’ve spent over 20 years as a finance professional responsible for managing multi-million dollar budgets, establishing and executing on strategic plans, and prioritizing competing tasks effectively. I’ll bring this disciplined approach to the school board to ensure our budget is not only fiscally responsible but also strategically aligned with our educational goals.

As a dad, I see the school district’s decisions firsthand. My children attend our schools, so I understand the impact of our policies and the dedication of teachers and staff.

Ultimately, I offer a balanced perspective. I’m committed to preserving the high standards that brought my family to Montgomery while ensuring our district remains fiscally sound for years to come.

Kathryn Worland

The Board of Education has a unique role: providing a first-class experience for students while being responsive to the public who elected them. The members are stewards of public trust, trust that we will support their children and that we will be judicious with their finances. This could be interpreted as an inherent tension, but if you see education as an investment, in our children, in our future, in our community, like I do, you recognize the wisdom in spending wisely to ultimately reap the dividends.

Francine Pfeffer

Ultimately, the school board serves all residents of Montgomery and Rocky Hill, but especially the children who attend the school district. The school board is the representative of the school district’s residents to the school administration. The school board is also responsible for sharing the needs of the students and school district to the community.

The school board has to balance the needs of the district with the needs of the community, putting children’s needs first. 

Julius Nunez

I strongly believe the school board ultimately serves the Montgomery community. Our guiding principle is to provide a best in class education to the students in our community, not just today but also in the long run and for future generations.

I believe that several stakeholders contribute to achieving this goal. With the cooperation of educators, staff, taxpayers, and parents, we can collectively achieve our mission. If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure the best interests of Montgomery.

Kathryn Worland

Those are not mutually exclusive concepts: using the full tax increase and a measured approach to spending. I do not believe in throwing money about blindly and expecting it to yield results. I also do not believe that indiscriminate cuts yield efficiency. It is the responsibility of the Board of Education to work with administration to ensure the budgets are being utilized in the most cost effective way, while still providing flexible funding for innovative programs and academic opportunities. If a measured evaluation of the budget reveals the need to take the full tax increase, then that is the appropriate approach.

Francine Pfeffer

People move to Montgomery because of the excellence of the school system. The board’s job is to ensure that our schools have the funding to provide the best education for students in the most efficient manner. If we don’t adequately fund our schools, they will be unable to maintain their excellence, as staffing cuts will result in rising class sizes and the loss of programs. Ultimately, this will hurt our property values. 

When there are budget challenges, transparency is important so that all stakeholders understand the rationale behind decisions that affect staffing and programming. Collaboration between the community and the board can ensure that decisions have the least harmful impact, and sharing this information with the public can help reduce the feeling that the school district operates in secrecy. 

I believe the board should use its authority to secure the maximum amount of funding available under the tax cap, as this ensures future funding. Otherwise, we are risking our schools’ quality, especially as state and federal funding is not assured. Budgets are a statement of priorities, and I prioritize children.

Julius Nunez

As a Finance Director with over 20 years of financial planning & analysis experience, I believe the question of a tax increase for a school district is a strategic one, not merely tactical.

The conversation starts by looking at our school district’s goals and guiding principle of continuing to provide a best in class education while upholding the fiscal responsibility entrusted to the board.

My belief is that a board should never automatically take the full tax increase permitted each year. A tax increase must be a direct result of a strategic plan that is clearly communicated to all stakeholders. The needs of the school district are not singular; they are a complex balance between the aspirations of students, the needs of educators and staff, the expectations of parents, and the economic realities faced by taxpayers and the wider community. Our budget should be a direct reflection of our shared vision for Montgomery’s schools both short and long term. At the same time, paying educators fairly and competitively is essential. Cutting costs for the sake of cutting is not only detrimental but also harmful to students.

A measured approach is best. My goal is to create a multi-year financial forecast that smooths expenses and avoids sudden, large increases. By making smaller, consistent adjustments, we can fund priorities, build reserves, and provide stability. Demonstrating fiscal discipline and efficiency ensures well-funded schools without burdening residents. Finding the strategic balance benefits everyone.