Candidate Statement: Javier Morales | Berkeley Heights Board of Education

My name is Javier Morales, and I have proudly called Berkeley Heights home since 2021. My wife and I chose this town because of its strong school system and welcoming community. We have three daughters, two who attend Thomas P. Hughes Elementary and like so many parents, I want to ensure they, and every student, have the best possible opportunities to learn and grow.

I was raised with the values of hard work, family, and education, and those values continue to guide me today. Since 2005, I have dedicated my career to public service, becoming a Newark firefighter in 2014. Along the way, I have served as President of Local 2297 and, since 2021, Treasurer of the Newark Firefighters’ Union, where I oversee budgets and ensure accountability on behalf of our members. I am also an active member of Berkeley Heights Mount Carmel, where faith and community play an important role in my life.

I believe every child deserves access to a strong curriculum that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life. Improving test scores and delivering quality education must remain at the center of our mission. At the same time, we must ensure responsible budgeting and transparency, so every taxpayer dollar directly benefits our students and classrooms.

I am running to strengthen our schools, foster collaboration between families and educators, and give all children the chance to learn more, achieve more, and succeed.

I think the changes that have been happening in our District in support of Academic Achievement, Transparency, and Accountability have been incremental but positive and noticeable. This must continue in order for the hard-fought progress we have been seeing to continue.

I will work with the Administration and BOE Members on the following priorities:

Ensure the full budget is available to the public after the initial vote by the BOE without the need for an OPRA request.
The budget is where it all starts; it is how the District communicates its priorities and goals to students and families in hard numbers. Family input is necessary for this process to improve. Families should have the same information as the Administration and BOE members so they have an incentive to attend budget meetings and feel prepared.

Ensure that policies increase family input and transparency.
One area that we need to improve on is ensuring surveys meaningfully capture family and student input.

Ensure that the referendum is an accountable process.
Our school facilities need an upgrade, and I am in full support of a referendum that directly connects to academic priorities. It is very easy for dollars to get swallowed by unnecessary soft costs, and I will be sure that every dollar is held accountable.

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Candidate statement: Submitted directly by the candidate; content reflects their own views.

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