To the Editor:

Our community is fortunate to have several good candidates running for open seats on the Princeton Public School Board of Education (BOE). As a current School Board member (writing only for myself and not on behalf of the BOE), I am familiar with some of the unprecedented challenges ahead for our school system. More than ever before our community needs leaders on the School Board who not only are equipped with the right expertise and skills to meet these challenges, but who hold themselves to the highest standards of ethical transparency, have the courage to make hard decisions, and have the willingness to be accountable for the consequences. Julie Ramirez is exactly such a leader and I support her for election to the PPS School Board.

Many who know Julie have encouraged her for years to run for a seat on the School Board. She has unique professional expertise as a project manager and will bring this experience to our school community at exactly the right time. As a Board member I have seen innovative ideas and initiatives around racial equity, early childhood education, athletics, curriculum reviews, and more by our superintendent, faculty, and community. These ideas and proposals are all important for our children and all deserve to be addressed through the kind of thorough cost-conscious, results-oriented process that Julie can help to lead.

Serving on the School Board is one of the hardest jobs someone can volunteer for. The new Board members will face complex and difficult choices that will impact our community for years to come. We must elect collegial, compassionate people with high principles; people who are hardworking, forthright, and morally courageous. Julie Ramirez fits this profile.

Justin Doran

Winfield Road