BOE Candidate: Derek Grimes

Editor's note: Derek Grimes is one of seven candidates vying for three spots on the Bloomfield Board of Education (BOE) in the April 27 election. Bloomfield Patch will be profiling each candidate by alphabetical order every day leading up to the April 20 in the Bloomfield High School auditorium.

Below is Grimes' biographical information and candidate statement.

DEREK GRIMES – LINE 3A

FAMILY
Wife Maury; Daughter, six-year-old at Oak View kindergarten

YEARS IN BLOOMFIELD
I have lived in Bloomfield for seven years.

OCCUPATION
Senior director of clinical operations at TKL Research in Paramus

STATEMENT
I am the Senior Director of Clinical Operations at TKL Research, Inc. in Paramus.  TKL is an international Clinical Research Organization and I am responsible for the oversight of our 5 clinical research sites, and nearly 100 employees.  I began my career 14 years ago as an Administrator in the academic institutions of Columbia University and NYU before taking this position at TKL in 2007.  I have a wonderful wife, Maury; we will be married ten years this September, and a 6-year old daughter, who attends Oak View kindergarten. We have lived in Bloomfield for 7 years. 

My platform is one of Board accountability and shared responsibility. 

I propose a multi-step initiative which begins with parents, as they are crucial to every child’s education.  I will look to parents/guardians of our district to become involved in improving the quality of education in our district.  This will be a complex challenge for all as we will need to reach a common determination for what “quality” means.  It is essential that, as caretakers, all are provided the knowledge and tools needed to promote quality education and afforded the opportunity to voice opinions or concerns.  They should be involved and engaged in educational reform, not force-fed information.  As a board member, I would nurture that relationship and promote this message. 

The second part of my plan is to update our school environment, concentrating on improving classroom technology and educational spaces.  Oak View school children, for example, currently play on pavement during playtime.  Not only is this an environmental concern, (i.e. heat island), but it is also dangerous. This concern in particular led me to run for the Board.  I would also look closely at new and inexpensive technologies that could have a substantial impact on the classroom. This will potentially reduce cost of disposables and further assist our educators in the classroom and at home.  

The third part of my plan is achieving fiscal responsibility. This means knowing how to spend the budget in such a way that our children benefit from every purchase.  As a leader in business, I know how to spend responsibly and make difficult decisions; I will take the same approach when it comes to our schools.  It is clear to me what this community deems important, for the children and their education, and in involving parents in school reform initiatives, their opinions will be echoed in decision-making processes.  I am confident I can help minimize wasteful spending and increase productive purchase that will positively impact our children and community.