Name Deanna Nye

Age 

Town of residence  Bridgewater

Position sought: Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education 

Family:  Married with 3 children 

Education: I am a graduate of Woodbridge High School, where I am a proud Lady Barron and a State Champion Bowler throughout my high school career. While my path did not follow the traditional college route, I entered the workforce at 16 and gained valuable real-world experience that has shaped my perspective as a parent, advocate, and community leader.

Occupation  501c3 President, Mother, Advocate

Previous or current elected appointed office  None

Campaign website Li-Maxwell-Nye.org

• Why are you seeking election for Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education?

I am running for the Board of Education because I believe every child, regardless of ability, background, or learning style, deserves a safe, supported, and high-quality education. As the parent of children with rare diseases and disabilities, I understand the challenges families face in securing the resources their children need to thrive. My years of advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and hands-on work supporting families navigating the education system have given me insight into how policies affect students and how we can create more effective learning environments. I want to bring both my experience and leadership skills to ensure all students in Bridgewater-Raritan have opportunities to succeed.

• School finances have been continuously discussed in the district. The district recently approved a budget where 33 staff positions were cut and a 2.46 percent tax increase. Do you have any comments or suggestions on how the district could handle its budget?   

It is important that the reduction in resources does not directly impact students’ access to the learning resources and services they need. It has been well referenced that the declining enrollment is expected, and thus reduction in staff through attrition would be a way to follow enrollment numbers. Care needs to be taken that per-student resources and services are not weakened.

School budgets should never be balanced on the backs of students or staff. We need to carefully examine administrative overhead, vendor contracts, and other large expenditures before cutting programs and positions that support students and teachers. While I recognize the financial pressures districts face, we must increase transparency in how funds are allocated and explore efficiencies that do not diminish student services. Involving parents and community members earlier in the budget process can create more trust and shared solutions.

It is essential that the district honor the community’s investment by ensuring that the expansion of services does not come at the expense of existing programs and staff.

• The district is looking at adjusting its school start times, possibly later for high school students, and transportation options. What do you think about this?  

There is research that shows that later start times can benefit high school students’ academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. I support exploring later start times, but these changes must be realistic for families. Parents’ jobs are essential to household survival, and many families cannot afford before- or after-care, even when offered at a reduced cost. In our community, the median household income is above the threshold for most assistance programs, meaning very few families qualify for help.

At the most recent board meeting, out of the proposed scenarios, Option I has primary students starting at 8:55 a.m., and Option II has them starting at 9:25 a.m., and this raises serious concerns. If we are truly going to prioritize sleep needs for our high school students, who are more independent and able to manage themselves, they should be scheduled later and not at the expense of younger children whose families rely on earlier schedules to get to work. Any shift in start times must balance student health with family realities, and transportation planning must keep safety and accessibility at the forefront.

• What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the school district? 

I believe the district must focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency. Budgets should be aligned with student needs, ensuring resources go directly into classrooms rather than being absorbed by high administrative salaries or underused contracts. Open and clear communication is essential. Families should easily understand how funds are spent and the real impact of decisions like referendums. Transparency isn’t just a goal; it’s a responsibility, and it must be proactive.

Another critical issue is understanding and supporting student attendance. Not all absences indicate truancy; many students face legitimate challenges such as medical conditions, special needs, mental health needs. The district should ensure policies differentiate between unexcused truancy and justified absences, so students and families are supported rather than burdened. Clear communication and a compassionate approach can help address attendance issues without unnecessarily labeling students or creating additional barriers to learning. It could help if the district establishes a committee on complex medical needs and special education, a volunteer panel with no cost burden, to ensure their unique circumstances are considered in policy, planning, and support services.

Additionally it is important to have full transparency with parents about their students, fully include parents in decisions and updates about their students, and trust parents in their role as the primary decision-makers in their minor child’s education, health and wellbeing.

• What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? 

I bring a unique perspective as a parent who has navigated the complex educational system for my children. My experience leading a nonprofit educational organization has given me strong advocacy, leadership, and policy skills. I am not just running as a candidate; I am running as a mom who has been in the trenches, fighting for children’s rights to learn in environments that respect their needs. I will bring compassion, persistence, and a real-world perspective to every decision.

• Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?  

I have built organizations to support students and families, providing tools, resources, and advocacy to help children succeed rather than be held back. My experience as a parent of children with complex needs gives me a perspective that drives practical solutions that benefit students.

Our campaign is a team effort; Dr. Lucy Li, Dr. Ketrin Maxwell, and I bring complementary strengths that allow us to cover broad ground. We combine expertise, advocacy, and leadership to create a school district that is transparent, compassionate, and focused on helping every student, teacher, and staff member reach their full potential.

We aim to build a stronger, more compassionate school district—one where every child, parent, and taxpayer feels seen, heard, and valued. Please join me in supporting Li, Maxwell, and Nye for BOE, and cast your votes for Column D.

For more information, please see the campaign website.

Li-Maxwell-Nye.org