To the Editor: My name is Michelle Fenwick and I would like to take this opportunity to present myself as a candidate for the West Milford Township School Board. Qualifications that I believe are essential for a successful school board member include a basic philosophy of “an education for all students.” They must have a knowledge of school operations, and understanding of the fiscal responsibilities to its constituents, an awareness of school law that extends to school board law and special education law, an ability to interpret statewide and local assessment data, and a general sense of the federal, state, and district-wide policies, mandates, and trends that impact on our schools. Such a school board member must possess not only these skills, but also the ability to work with the team effectively in order to support quality education. I have been a township resident for approximately 15 years, and was employed by the West Milford Township Public School District for over a decade, which affords me a unique and relevant perspective as a candidate. I am currently employed by the New Jersey Department of Education as an OSEP State Monitor, focused on aspects of school programming, accountability compliance and continued improvement with state administrative code and federal law. My involvement within our West Milford community includes participation and support of community sports programs, scouting, beautification/adopt-a-road programs, and varied volunteer activities. I would support board plans that include growth in our students’ basic skill competencies, programs that advance our students’ achievements in local and statewide assessments and growth of programs that promote cost-effective community outreach to benefit the educational community, as well as the township at large. I look forward to this opportunity that I may serve among our West Milford School Board members, to work within this context with all stakeholders, for the betterment of this community. Dr. Michelle Fenwick West Milford