Chrissy Thomas

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I’m jumping into the BoE race as a write-in candidate because I am a longtime active resident and involved single mother who is tired of watching our elected officials let us down. It’s costing us too much. The wellbeing of our children and the affordability of our town is at stake. I know that with the community outlining clear goals, there are few limits to the accomplishments that a creative, transparent, fiscally responsible BoE that abides by the law can achieve. We have a tremendous amount of work to do, but we can get there with the kind of direct, forthright, informed leadership that I can provide. I’ve known our schools through the best of times and the worst of times. I have spent over 50 years as a Montclair resident. I attended Edgemont School, Glenfield, Mount Hebron, and graduated in 1987 from MHS. My daughter is currently a 9th grader at MHS after attending Edgemont and Buzz. I’ve seen what has made our schools a shining light in the tri-state area as well as a dysfunctional train wreck. My candidacy was a last-minute decision because I was alarmed to see that there were only two candidates who are not or have not served on the BoE during the years of extreme mismanagement. While those who have served on the BoE deserve recognition, we must have candidates who can move us past this financial disaster. Current board members running for another term haven’t shown us they won’t end up repeating the same mistakes. In order to dig ourselves out of this massive hole, we need strong new voices that will have no need to defend indefensible past votes or acts. My professional background as a lawyer, MBA, and masters in public policy will add necessary qualifications to the board. I am a professional negotiator who understands contracts and law; I know how to analyze a balance sheet. Lastly, I am a parent who is passionate about quality education for one and all.