Our Platform & Policies
Our students deserve better. Column 1 will deliver a brighter, future-ready education.
Expanding our Facilities
1. Busses Services
As our district continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the region, it is critical that we stay proactive in securing reliable bussing for our students. Too many families face uncertainty or difficulty when it comes to transportation, which should never be a barrier to education. Beyond increasing capacity, the registration process must also be streamlined. A clearer, more accessible system will allow parents to register their children with ease while giving the township accurate enrollment data to better plan routes and resources. Accessible and dependable bussing is the foundation of an equitable school system.
2. Overcrowding
Our schools have become overcrowded, and the effects are felt daily in the classroom. In some cases, students are taught in container units retrofitted into classrooms—conditions that are not conducive to learning. This overcrowding is a direct result of our district’s growth outpacing our investment in infrastructure. Students deserve better than makeshift classrooms. We must commit to building new, sustainable facilities and expanding existing ones, ensuring that every child in Edison has a proper space to learn, grow, and thrive.
3. Teacher to Class Ratio
Overcrowding directly impacts our teacher-to-class ratios, creating larger class sizes that limit individual attention and support. When classrooms grow beyond a healthy size, students receive less one-on-one guidance, and teachers face greater stress in managing and accommodating everyone’s needs. This imbalance hurts both sides of the classroom. Smaller class sizes are critical to fostering student success, strengthening teacher-student relationships, and ensuring no child slips through the cracks. By investing in more educators and prioritizing balanced ratios, we can create an environment where both students and teachers are set up to succeed.
4. Air conditioning
In the 21st century, no student should be expected to learn in a classroom without air conditioning. The absence of adequate climate control is not just an inconvenience — it’s a health and safety issue. Extreme heat makes it difficult for students to focus, puts vulnerable students at risk, and disrupts learning. Our township has invested in many areas, but air conditioning should be a baseline expectation for every school. Modern, energy-efficient systems can provide comfort and safety while keeping operational costs manageable. We must prioritize these upgrades to give our students the learning environment they deserve.
Affordability
1. No Tax Raise
No Edison parent or resident wants to see school taxes rise, and families deserve assurance that our district can grow and improve without placing a heavier burden on taxpayers. While school taxes have not been raised in years, the reality is that Edison faces rising student enrollment, aging infrastructure, and the urgent need to prepare our kids for success after high school. To meet these challenges, we must adopt sustainable, innovative methods that prioritize affordability while keeping school taxes stable.
2. Bussing Cost
Currently, the cost of bussing in Edison is $625 annually per student — a non-refundable fee that is significantly higher than many surrounding townships, some of which include transportation or offer lower costs. At a time when our township is growing rapidly, we must take a proactive approach to reduce the burden of transportation costs for families. By restructuring contracts, exploring state funding support, and increasing efficiency in routes, Edison can lower bussing costs and make the process of registration more streamlined and transparent for parents.
3. Grant Research
One of the most effective ways to expand resources without raising school taxes is through grant research and grant writing. Many townships across New Jersey, such as Woodbridge, have dedicated grant-writing teams that secure additional funds in additional funding for their schools. Edison must invest in a similar initiative so we can secure federal, state, and private grants to support programming, facilities, technology, and extracurriculars. This is a proven path to sustainable funding without raising costs on families.
4. Education Hidden Cost
Beyond taxes and bussing, families face hidden costs in the form of private tutoring and exam preparation. In Edison, SAT tutoring programs are expensive and often inaccessible to many families. While the district does provide its own SAT program, it lacks the rigor and competitiveness needed for our students to succeed at the highest level. To tackle this, we must strengthen our in-school SAT prep, expand after-school academic help, and ensure all students receive the same quality of preparation without being forced to pay for outside tutoring. Success should never be determined by a family’s financial means — every student deserves equal access to opportunity.
5. Extra Curricular Funding
Edison’s schools boast incredible student clubs, sports, and activities that foster leadership, creativity, and teamwork. However, unlike other districts, our clubs often receive little to no direct funding from the district, leaving the costs of tournaments, conferences, competitions, and events to fall on families. This has created a pay-to-participate system, where many students are excluded simply because their families cannot afford the extra costs. We must establish district-level support and partnerships to ensure extracurriculars are accessible to all students. Passion, talent, and drive should determine participation — not a parent’s wallet.
Visionary Education
1. Specialization Programs
We must create competitive specialization programs that allow our students to pursue tailored tracks of study aligned with their passions and career goals. Districts like Piscataway have already proven successful with programs that prepare students in areas such as Cybersecurity, Pre-Med, Auto Technology, Carpentry/Construction, and Business. Edison can do the same by introducing 2- to 4-year tracks at the high school level that provide hands-on experience, industry knowledge, and college-level rigor. These programs not only prepare students for higher education, but also give those interested in skilled trades and technical fields the practical foundation to begin careers right after graduation.
2. Dual Enrollment
Expanding dual enrollment opportunities is one of the most direct ways to give our students a competitive advantage. By allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school, we reduce the cost of higher education for families and make Edison graduates stronger candidates in the college admissions process. Currently, this program is underutilized — teachers may be unaware of it or don’t actively promote it, partly due to historically low enrollment. We must implement a strong, district-wide push, ensuring that every student and parent knows dual enrollment is available and encouraged. Beyond saving money, these programs give students confidence, experience, and a head start — and Edison must maximize them.
3. Opportunities for Highschoolers
Education must go beyond the classroom. Our high school students deserve real-world opportunities to volunteer, shadow, and intern in fields that interest them. While the Board of Education has started to explore this, there has been little meaningful progress. By leveraging existing district subscriptions and tools, we can create software platforms and databases that directly connect students with opportunities. In addition, Edison’s incredibly diverse and accomplished alumni base should be tapped as a resource — providing mentorship, networking, and direct pathways for student growth. In today’s competitive college and career environment, giving students early access to these experiences will ensure they are prepared to not only apply to top schools, but also stand out among their peers.
4. Artificial Intelligence in Education
The rise of AI in classrooms presents both opportunities and challenges. Integrating AI as a partner for teachers and students can personalize learning, provide new resources, and support lesson planning—all while maintaining the unique guidance, mentorship, and character development that teachers provide. Thoughtful implementation ensures that AI enhances education without compromising student growth or the individuality of our educators.