HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — On November 4th, Hillsborough will hold its general election, featuring six contenders vying for three vacant positions on the Township Board of Education.
Board members Jean Trujillo, Joel Davis, and Danny Lee are each seeking another term on the board.
The pool of candidates features three contenders: John Fluet, N. Jannah Hameed, and Marc Ehrenkrantz.
ArAre you running for office in Hillsborough? Contact Alexis Tarrazi atalexis.tarrazi@Muara Digital TeamFor details about being included in a candidate’s profile and submitting campaign updates to the Bridgewater Muara Digital Team.
N. Jannah Hameed
Age: 20
Town of residence: Hillsborough
Position sought: Board of Education
Family: My family has resided in Hillsborough for more than two decades.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University (New Brunswick), graduate of Hillsborough High School
Occupation: Full-time student
Previous or current elected or appointed position:N/A
Campaign website: instagram.com/hameed4boe and facebook.com/hameed4boe
What is your motivation for running for the Hillsborough Township Board of Education?
I have lived in Hillsborough all my life and am a product of our school system. Hillsborough will always be my hometown. I understand the significance of excellent education and the financial effect that Board of Education decisions have on families in Hillsborough.
I am running to:
- Use each dollar wisely and with intention.
- Establish credibility via transparent and truthful dialogue
- Tackle increasing class sizes to enhance the standard of teaching
- Back our teachers and learners by placing their input at the forefront
The district’s financial situation has been a topic of ongoing conversation. Recently, the district utilized the state’s Tax Incentive Aid program, which allows for an increase in the tax levy. What are your thoughts on this choice?
Although the state permitted Hillsborough to generate up to $20 million, we were not obligated to accept the entire sum.
I think it’s important to invest in schools. That said, being financially prudent involves considering the needs of our students alongside the challenges faced by our taxpayers.
This rise indicates that the typical home in Hillsborough, worth $594,089, now has a tax payment of $8,645. This is a significant effect, particularly for working families, individuals with limited income, and older adults, many of whom worry about being forced to leave their homes due to the taxes.
At the same time, safeguarding teaching roles should be considered crucial expenditure. Educators have a significant impact on student achievement, and increasing class sizes ultimately negatively affect students the most.
I believe this increase didn’t have to be absolute. I would have favored a balanced approach—raising sufficient funds to preserve our current situation, without placing the full $20 million burden on residents. Our schools can’t afford to lose additional teachers, yet the town also can’t handle such a significant increase.
Do you have any feedback or recommendations on how the district should manage its finances?
During periods of financial difficulty, focusing on necessary expenses rather than unnecessary ones is crucial.
Families who are already facing a $20 million tax hike find it difficult to support the allocation of $1.657 million for high school sports. I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting reductions in athletic programs — rather, I think this funding would be more effectively used on classroom resources that benefit every student.
It’s also important to mention that the state didn’t mandate the use of this $1.657 million for sports activities. If this expenditure had been approved via a referendum, the situation would have been different. However, as it wasn’t, I think the money should have been allocated to basic resources that all students depend on.
I completely acknowledge the significance of sports and other activities outside the classroom. I have personal experience with how initiatives such as athletic programs, clubs, and honor societies can ignite students’ interests and shape their professional paths. Nevertheless, the core of a student’s education—academic achievement—needs to be prioritized above all else.
The area is getting ready to proceed with reassigning students because of increasing enrollment numbers. What are your thoughts on this?
Overcrowding presents a significant challenge: our schools have limited capacity, and certain parts of Hillsborough are experiencing higher population increases than others. Although redistricting isn’t perfect, as it requires some students to move, I recognize why the district sees it as a way to even out class sizes and utilize available space more effectively.
What other challenges do you believe should be addressed within the school district?
Overpopulation in our schools is hindering Hillsborough students from obtaining the level of education they are entitled to. As class sizes continue to grow, students get less personalized guidance, and teachers may find it challenging to maintain control in their classrooms. Additionally, this situation can result in a higher occurrence of bullying and conflicts—particularly in crowded, busy hallways.
The obvious solution is to recruit more staff, create additional classrooms to lower the number of students per class, and enhance student oversight. Although financial limitations make this challenging, maintaining proper staffing levels should be the main focus within our current budget. This also involves providing support for special education services. If elected, I will collaborate with special needs educators to ensure they have the necessary resources and equipment to help their students thrive.
Furthermore, incidents of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) need to be taken very seriously. This involves giving priority to the concerns brought up by educators and school personnel regarding student conduct. By doing this, we can create a safer and more encouraging atmosphere within Hillsborough Schools, enabling students to succeed both academically and emotionally.
What makes you different from the tough competitors?
I have regularly participated in BOE meetings for more than a year, attending to remain updated and involved. In addition, I make it a point to be there, engaging in discussions with parents, educators, students, and local residents. Interacting directly with individuals has provided me with new insights into the difficulties our schools encounter and the concerns that matter most to our community.
For me, being present is important. It’s simple to advocate for financial accountability or discuss putting students first, but what makes me different is my commitment to engaging with the community and genuinely hearing your issues.
Having graduated from Hillsborough High School, I am aware of the efforts required to excel as a student. I recognize the current obstacles in education, such as adapting to new technologies like AI.
My professional background also enhances my viewpoint: I have five years of experience as a teaching assistant, and during the past summer, I collaborated with the Planning and Zoning Department at the Hillsborough Municipal Building, where I obtained important understanding of how development affects our community and schools.
IIs there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself or your campaign?
I’m running for the Board of Education with the goal of restoring trust between the Board and the residents of Hillsborough—and it all begins with better communication. Every email and message I received last year was responded to, and that commitment will remain unchanged throughout this campaign.
I have had conversations with numerous individuals throughout our community — educators, pupils, guardians, seniors from Hillsborough, and other engaged citizens. Regardless of whom I talk to, a common sentiment emerges: people feel overlooked.
I want to let you know: your opinion is important, and I am always open to hearing what you have to say. Although I might not be able to tackle every issue this school district encounters by myself, I will always be eager to understand different viewpoints and engage in dialogue — this is my commitment.
Please send me an email at any timehameedforboe@gmail.comIf you have any questions or concerns, please reach out. It is my duty as a candidate to be truthful and forthcoming with the community. Should I be elected, I will maintain this same level of openness on the Board of Ed.
The article Hillsborough School Board General Election 2025: N. Jannah Hameed appeared first on Hillsborough Muara Digital Team.
