Schools

Continuing First Class Education Number One Goal, Wenik Says

Patch sat down with recently elected Millburn Board of Education vice president.

The Millburn Board of Education elected the three-year board member Rona Wenik vice president at the beginning of January for a one-year term with Jeffrey Waters as president

Patch sat down with Wenik this week to discuss her goals for the board this year and in the future for the Millburn school district. Here's what she said:

Patch: What are some of your goals for the year?

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Wenik: This year, my most important goal is for the BOE to provide our schools and our teachers with the resources necessary to continue to provide a first class education for all of our students. I am also determined to work with the Administration and my fellow board members to maintain and, when necessary, upgrade our facilities, so that our kids are learning and playing in buildings that are safe, comfortable and modern. Finally, I would like to see our board work together collaboratively, with efficient and informative public meetings.

Patch: How will you accomplish these goals? 

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Wenik: As I have done in all of my years on the BOE I will work with my fellow board members to pass a budget that provides the financial support which will enable us to continue the excellence in education that has been the hallmark of the Millburn schools for so many years. As chair of the program committee, and as a member of the property committee, I am pleased to work together with my fellow BOE members and the administration, all of whom share my commitment to continue to improve the education which we provide for our students, as well as the environment in which they learn. Under the leadership of our new board president, I am optimistic that the work which we do in public will be conducted effectively and professionally.

Patch: What do you think will be the most difficult task to accomplish this year?

Wenik: Maintaining and improving our aging facilities, while at the same time preserving and expanding the top-notch educational opportunities for our students, all in an environment of reasonable class sizes, is the most difficult job that we face every year, given the budgetary constraints imposed upon us by the state.

Patch: Are there any long-term goals which you would like to set in motion?

Wenik: My long term goal, is, I believe, shared by the administration and the majority of the board, that is, to provide for a future in which our facilities are modern and provide sufficient space for our student population, with reasonable class sizes and a challenging and broad curriculum. I am also extremely proud of the excellence of our faculty, which is one of the best things about Millburn schools, and would like us to focus long-term on retaining our teachers and continuing to attract outstanding teachers, by providing them with the resources and professional development necessary to deliver a first-class education to our students. 

Patch: Why did you want to be board vice president?

Wenik: When I realized that Jeff Waters would likely be the next board president, I knew that he would be an excellent president, and wanted to offer him whatever guidance, advice or help that I could. I am pleased to say that Jeff has hit the ground running, and stepped into Michael's shoes without a hitch. He has already had to tackle some novel issues, and is doing a great job, both in public and behind the scenes. We are lucky to have someone of Jeff's caliber leading our BOE. I am confident that his term will be a successful one for both the BOE and the Millburn Schools, and I am happy to help him in whatever way that I can.


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