Upper Saddle River Board of Education
Where we stand
We are focused on delivering real results through fiscal responsibility, strong academic standards, and open dialogue with every resident.
Accountability · Excellence · Transparency
Accountability
The Board sets the district's policy and direction. The Superintendent runs the schools.
We will exercise diligence during the budget process and partner with our Business Administrator to find savings through shared services and cooperative purchasing, ask questions, and explore alternatives. We will work to publish a multi-year budget outlook, including drivers the Board doesn't control.
A note on last spring's budget
Joy voted in favor of the budget the Board passed on April 27. The district faced a large increase in costs outside its control, and the Board chose to align spending with revenue before exceeding the state cap. We think that was the responsible call. No academic programs were eliminated, class sizes were unchanged in most cases, and every special education service was maintained; through retirements and other attrition, the district has since been able to bring back many of the affected staff.
Excellence
Ask the students. Support the teachers.
We know our students do well after they graduate from Cavallini. In the pursuit of excellence, we want to know from their perspective what else we can do to prepare them and set them up for success. As parents, we know students have a unique viewpoint that adults can learn from if they ask.
We'll talk with two panels and ask the same questions to both. We'll ask about core academics, electives, clubs, and sports, and report back with what we learn. In our pursuit of excellence, we want to hear their perspective on whether we can do more.
Parents
Email info@batlamcelyea.com if you are interested in joining us with your student.
An Ask the Class summary report
Shared publicly and with the Board.
Support for new teachers
The tools and the support to be effective in their own classrooms.
An AI and technology committee
Re-chartered as a standing board committee scoped to learning.
Transparency
We want you to be informed.
A summary of board meetings, in addition to the minutes
What came up, what was decided, and key metrics discussed along the way.
Additional means of communicating the Board's work
Explore and implement options such as a town newsletter, a Board newsletter, or additional space on the district website.
A summary following budget presentations
What changed, what it costs, and what it means for a typical household in this town.
The handoff to Northern Highlands
Every student who graduates from the USR School District walks into Northern Highlands. We're running to make sure they're ready.
Straight answers
There are two seats. Who should I use my second vote on?
We are asking you to vote for both of us. We're running together because we believe our Board experience and years of volunteering to enhance student education in our district matter in Board governance.
What's your position on technology and AI in the classroom?
At the Board level, we develop policy on technology and AI in the classroom. Our priority is to establish responsible policy for the use of AI and technology and ensure it keeps up with this constantly changing landscape.
How much will my taxes go up?
The budget isn't set until spring. Each year, New Jersey law requires the Board of Education to adopt a budget for the coming school year. The process starts in the fall, but the tentative budget is typically presented to the community in late March, and the final public budget is presented for Board approval in April. The process includes estimating costs for salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies, special education services, and other expenses. Identify revenues, including state aid, reserves, tuition income, and local property taxes. Then close any gap. If costs exceed revenue, the district must cut spending, raise the tax levy within legal limits, draw on reserves, or some combination of all three.
Are you running against the current board?
No. The Upper Saddle River Board of Education has seven members serving staggered three-year terms. Two seats are expiring at the end of 2026. Joy is running for re-election to her seat, and Hani is running for the other open seat.
How does Ask the Class actually work?
Two panels, eight to twelve students in all, meeting separately. One is Upper Saddle River graduates now in ninth and tenth grade at Northern Highlands. The other is current Bogert and Cavallini students.
We ask the Highlands group what our schools prepared them for and what they wish they'd had more of before ninth grade, starting with English and science. We ask the current students what's working now and what would make it better.
Invitations go through parents, always. We never approach a student directly. Every student has a signed parental permission form on file before they walk in. The session runs about an hour, off school property, and parents are welcome to stay.
Afterward we write up what we heard, publish it without names, and put it to work in how we vote and what we push for. Like everything else on our platform, it doesn't ask for a new dollar.
The first session is in early October. Parents can reach us at info@batlamcelyea.com.
Two seats. Vote for both.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026.