EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Candidate Jamie Falco is seeking a seat on the East Brunswick School Board. A graduate of East Brunswick High School, Falco is an optometrist and business owner who raises his family in town.
In a Q&A with Patch, she talks about how her talents align with the role of a BOE member.
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Name: Jaime Falco Age: 41 Residence: East Brunswick, New Jersey Education: 2001, EBHS; 2001-2005, Pennsylvania State University, Biology, minor in Human Development and Family Studies. 2005-2009 Indiana University School of Optometry, PhD, Optometry Occupation: Optometrist, Manager, Consultant
1. Why are you seeking a seat on the BOE?
The education I received at East Brunswick prepared me for success in academics, entrepreneurship, and excellence in medicine. It is an honor to be able to give back to the district that has given me this opportunity. I care deeply that my children and the children in my neighborhood experience similar educational experiences that promote both academic and social-emotional development.
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2. What makes you different from other candidates?
I’m an ENTP, aka Trailblazer, with the Myers-Briggs(R) test. Known for being driven by vision and possibility, only an estimated 4.3% of people are this type. Due to COVID-19, I had a newborn and toddler at home while managing 11 offices in Texas and a business in New Jersey remotely. All 13 businesses have survived, thrived and grown since the pandemic. The Texas office grew so much that it was sold to private equity in one of the largest VSP Ventures transactions to date. However, I left before the sale because I didn’t fit in with the company’s culture. When CEOs use culture as a weapon or measuring stick, it creates undue stress on team members. As the CEO of my own company, I have found that the best way to lead is to inspire others through fair wages, comfortable working conditions, and professional empathy. This aligns with my patient care promise of providing thorough and compassionate medical care. That’s why I was recognized as one of Newsweek’s Top 200 Optometrists in 2023. The accolades are great, but I’m even more proud of the beautiful, comprehensive clinic we built during the pandemic, where patients of all ages and abilities can receive quality health and vision care.
3. According to you, what is the biggest problem facing the school district?
Our biggest challenge is the new organizational chart. With an operating budget of $197 million, it is the 28th largest school district in the state. It is unfair and inefficient to have only one supervisor and have business managers carry out supervisory duties. Only two people can’t be accountable in a district this big. School districts like Westfield hire directors of student services to emphasize accountability in special education departments.
I would like to see a clear hierarchy and a clear division of responsibility between central authorities to ensure accountability. Specific needs in our organizational chart include someone responsible for grant writing and proposals, and someone to act as a cultural ambassador to ensure community needs are met. Solutions to NJSBA rules and regulations regarding board member communications.
4. Are you satisfied with the way your school district has handled the state aid cuts? What are some possible approaches?
The state spends more than $13 billion annually on education. Unfortunately, the full implementation of the School Funding System has resulted in reduced funding for 140 school districts, including East Brunswick. Additionally, the school funding formula assumes that 15.7 percent of each district’s demographic has special education needs. At East Brunswick, 20% of students have an IEP or 504 plan. As a result, our district will have to make up a 22% shortfall for approximately 1,600 students.
This need will continue to grow. Solutions other than tax increases include redistricting to reduce costs (to reduce transportation costs), selling or leasing land owned by the district, applying for state or federal grants, and special education. These include investing in services and ensuring safe employment and policies. Effectively retain students who may be placed outside the district.
5. There was a debate about whether to build a new high school or renovate and expand the existing high school. What do you think about this?
Before asking a community for a bond referendum, there must be compelling evidence supporting one decision over the other. We have been considering the idea of a new high school for almost a decade, as the original building was constructed in 1957-1958. Facilities need to be modernized to reflect the comfort and needs of modern high school students. Located in East Brunswick.
I submitted an OPRA request for high school blueprints and construction bid information, including the original 1957 blueprints. We hope to find the “lost” original blueprints that were not created through this process to determine if the infrastructure can accommodate renovations.
Both sides have advantages and disadvantages. Building codes are an important consideration. Updating an existing structure can be more costly than expected because it requires an inspection and modification process to bring the equipment up to code. Even when building a new building, the cost of demolishing the old building can be expensive.
Developing a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is our only safeguard against accepting bids at the lowest price required by law. The lowest bidder is not necessarily the cheapest. If you make the wrong choice, the cost of the change order or modification could exceed the original contractor’s estimate.
The original pre-COVID-19 price tag of $100 million has been bumped up to $400 million on rumors alone, with no official blueprint or known cost yet. Now is the time to move forward with this information so that children can get out of their trailers and into buildings with proper HVAC and air conditioning.
6. What else needs improvement in the district?
In a district like ours, community trust and transparency are important considerations. East Brunswick is good in many ways, but under its current leadership it’s not always clear how and why. Providing our voting agreements in written summaries with summaries similar to court decisions helps the public understand the logic behind policy and decision-making.
7. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?
Civic orientation is a way of life in our family. We care deeply about the comfort and dignity of our neighbors and will help ensure that dignity in every conceivable way.
My wonderful husband is already a local firefighter, but I felt he could do more. He currently volunteers with OEM of Middlesex County, helping with emergency and disaster response. We hope his efforts are not needed, but take comfort in knowing that he is strong and capable in a crisis. He made the right choices for his skill set.
I chose to run for school board because my talents are well-suited for a role like this. Working as an executive and also being a business owner, I have learned a lot about effective communication, proactive budgeting, and the board’s role in policy making.
My experiences have strengthened my resolve to always abide by morals. I’m a strong believer in people-first business practices, so I paid my entire team in New Jersey out of pocket through COVID-19. Dignity and comfort. I don’t share this for validation or approval, but for you to know who I am.
I will work hard for our city and find innovative solutions to the problems we face now and in the future. Thank you for your support.
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