From the Echoes Sentinel

WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education Vice President Robert Morrison of Warren has announced his bid for a second term in this November’s election.

Morrison, who is completing his first three-year term, now serves as chair of the Policy Committee and has served on all board committees including personnel, operations and education.

He is the district representative to the Warren Township Committee and district delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), and was recently sworn in as a member of the NJSBA Board of Directors.

 “I promised that I would bring my 25 years of experience and knowledge of the education sector to my role as a member of the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education,” said Morrison. “I have worked tirelessly to do just that. I have missed two Board of Education meetings in the past three years for business trips and attended nearly all of the committee meetings on which I serve. I have been a forceful advocate for the members of our community. I have been recognized by my peers by my election to vice president of the board.

“I believe this is in recognition of my commitment to my own professional development as a board member and my commitment to board service.”

Morrison is the CEO of Quadrant Research, where he coordinates projects with many state departments of education across the country. His company provides research and data management to clients in education.

“For the past 25 years, my work has involved education and education policy at the state and federal level,” he said. “That has allowed me to become fluent in all of the various education policy issues we face on the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education, including items like the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing, teacher evaluation systems, graduation requirements, the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act, and the impact they may have. I also serve on various committees and working groups in New Jersey involving education issues, working with such groups as the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and the NJPTA (New Jersey Parent Teacher Association).

“All of these activities provide me with a wealth of knowledge and real world experience I call upon when representing our community on the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education.”

Morrison’s objectives when he ran for a board seat three years ago were focused on high-quality education for all students, open communication and transparency and fiscal responsibility. He believes those objectives remain.

“Three years ago, I asked the residents to elect me based on what I said I would try to accomplish,” said Morrison. “There is now a clear track record and body of work on which my promises may be judged. I believe my track record speaks for itself. I remain as enthusiastic to serve our community as I was when first elected.”

With the district still implementing its strategic plan and making improvements, Morrison hopes to continue what he’s started.

“I learned a long time ago that talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words,” said Morrison. “If the residents honor me with another term, I will honor their support with the same high level of attention to detail and strong work ethic as I exhibited during my first term.”

Morrison faces incumbent Peter Fallon of Warren and challenger John Patrick Fahy of Warren in the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. There are two, three-year terms available. New terms begin in January 2017.

Current Long Hill school board member Rita Barone of Stirling filed for a seat on the 10-member board as a Long Hill representative. She is running for that seat unopposed.