School Board Candidate Cristen Forrester: Focus Should be on Quality Education

The West Morris Regional Board of Education President Cristen Forrester, 48, of Washington Township, will be running uncontested on the April 27 ballot for school elections. A Long Valley resident for the past decade, Forrester has served on the regional board for four years. For more information on the election, see . The following are Forrester's answers to questions asked by Long Valley Patch.

Long Valley Patch: How many of your children are going through/have gone through the district?
Cristen Forrester: I have four children. Three are graduates of the district and currently are in law school and college. My youngest is a junior at West Morris Central.

LVP: What is your educational background?
CF: Graduated from Boston College in 1984.

LVP: Do you have any past political experience?
CF: I have served on the West Morris Regional High School District Board of Education for 4 years, 3 of those as president.

LVP: What volunteer activities have you been involved in?
CF: I am currently Treasurer of the WMC Track and Field Club. I also am a merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scout Troop 436, which I have done for about 6 years and have helped on numerous Boards of Review and Eagle Scout projects (including for my own 2 Eagle Scouts). I taught confirmation for 6 years and am now co-chairing the development of a long range plan at St. Luke’s Parish. I was a member of the PTA for 7 years, 4 of those were as the president, one as vice president, and two as bylaws chair.

LVP: Why should voters feel comfortable with you representing the board of education?
CF: I have been actively involved in the community since relocating here 10 years ago through our schools, scouts, church and childrens’ sports. Together with my experience serving the district, this has given me a broad perspective.

LVP: In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing the district, and what do you intend to do to fix them?
CF: The primary focus in public schools over the last few years has been on school finance. While this is a critical component of public education, it should not overshadow education.  We need to refocus on high quality education, efficiently delivered that will continue to move our district forward.

Our recently called for will provide an opportunity to investigate all options to enhance educational and academic programs and implement more efficient use of taxpayer dollars in educating our K-12 students.