BOE Candidate Zhao Will Bring Common Sense, Transparency, Compassion to School District
To the Editor:
Six candidates are vying for three open positions in the upcoming Princeton School Board election. I am writing to endorse BOE Candidate Shenwei Zhao for the position. Like many of us who are personally invested in the school district as taxpayers and parents of children attending publicly funded schools, Mr. Zhao has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting common sense, transparency, and care within the district. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy as a resident with children attending Princeton Public Schools (PPS).
Having engaged in numerous discussions with Mr. Zhao before and after his candidacy announcement, I have gained insight into his genuine and consistent concerns for the welfare of our schools and community. He is deeply passionate about improving the quality of all Princeton schools and ensuring that the district provides the best educational opportunities to all families.
In a recent conversation with Mr. Zhao, we discussed the issue of gifted and talented programs, especially in mathematics. Our discussion shed light on the “district policy” regarding external courses, which unfortunately hinders students with documented abilities from pursuing advanced math or other subjects for credit and advancement. However, there is no such policy, as evidenced by an email with a copy of said “policy” I received from the N.J. Department of Education. Mr. Zhao astutely recognized the issue and expressed his belief that schools should not restrict students from pursuing academic advancement at any grade level. “Allocate appropriate resources for everyone” has been listed as the top priority on his campaign website. His prompt observations regarding bureaucratic processes within the school system reflect his acute awareness of students’ and families’ challenges in navigating the system. Mr. Zhao’s commitment to addressing these issues is evident in his willingness to engage with the community and promptly respond to their concerns.
Another significant financial obstacle hindering the district’s progress is the lawsuits brought against it by parents. Mr. Zhao believes taxpayer money could be better spent on our children by avoiding unnecessary suits, many of which could be resolved through respectful collaboration between the administration and the community.
Moreover, Mr. Zhao’s experience as a systems engineer and independent consultant and his wife’s background as a published author in scholarly journals and books demonstrate a solid commitment to education. As first-generation immigrants, we share a deep appreciation for education, which is common among many families in Princeton. The district would greatly benefit from the perspective and expertise that Mr. Zhao and his wife bring.
Mr. Zhao’s genuine, commonsense approach and unwavering commitment to representing the best interests of PPS children and families make him an exemplary candidate for the BOE. I encourage my fellow community members to carefully assess the candidates during this election season and cast their vote in favor of Mr. Zhao, who embozdies the values and aspirations that align with the educational well-being of our community and district.