Corey Pierson for Montclair Board of Ed
Montclair has the people, resources, and commitment to be one of New Jersey’s best public school systems. I’m running to help us live up to that potential.
Montclair needs a Board of Education that watches the finances, sets clear goals for students, asks whether major investments are working, and explains its decisions to the public that elected them.
We can do better, and we owe it to our community to do so.
Why I’m running
I became more involved in our schools during the financial crisis and referendum. I supported keeping local control because decisions about Montclair’s schools should remain in Montclair.
But local control comes with responsibility. We need a strong, independent Board that understands the information it receives, asks hard questions, sets clear expectations, and follows up when something goes off track.
After spending so much time talking about what needed to change, I decided to be part of the solution.
What I’ll Focus On
Financial accountability during the year
Give the Board and public a monthly view of the budget, actual spending, unpaid obligations, cash and reserves, and the current forecast for year-end. Show what changed since the previous month and explain significant differences.
Academic progress we can see
Set specific, public goals for student learning and report progress during the year. When Montclair invests in a new curriculum or program, define what should improve, track implementation and student growth, and use the results to decide what comes next.
Technology that earns its place
Enact a new policy where the district reports on screentime for all district-support technology. Set clear, age-appropriate rules for AI, protect student information, and review major tools before renewing them.
Explain Decisions
We elect our Board of Ed representatives. For every important vote, I will explain why I vote the way I do. Some matters must remain confidential, but I believe the public should not have to guess how its elected Board reached a decision.
Practical improvements
Use clear timelines and responsibility to move fixable issues forward, including working with county election officials to find alternatives to using schools as polling places.
A parent.
A builder.
Ready to serve.
My wife and I have lived in Montclair for almost a decade. We have three children in Montclair Public Schools, and my mother was a public school teacher.
I studied computer science, earned an MBA from Wharton, then cofounded a data analytics company. For a decade, I was the CEO of the company. I managed teams and budgets, decided where to invest, worked with a board of directors, and changed course when results did not match the plan. We sold the company in 2019, delivering a strong return to investors and stakeholders.
I believe that experience will be valuable for the Board of Ed. I will bring a respect for educators, curiosity about what is happening in our schools, and a willingness to follow questions through to clear answers.
Let’s talk about our schools
Have a question, disagree with a position, or want to help with the campaign? I want to hear from you.