I’m Sumit “Sam” Salia, a proud US Army veteran, a dedicated pharmacist by profession, a devoted parent to a six-year-old, a small business owner, a homeowner, and a steadfast Jersey City lover who has called it home for 15 years.
"I Served Our Nation, And I Want To Serve Our Kids Independently"
LEARN MOREIn 2017, our school budget was 700 million dollars, which increased to 1.1 billion by 2023. Despite being the highest budgeted municipality in NJ, with significant tax increases (~100 Million) each year, the promised improvements in our schools have not materialized while we face the same issues!
Start with zero base-line budget & prioritize the necessary & productive projects. It is about smart spending and not just funding. I will execute the changes within first year itself.
READ MOREThere is no accountability regarding the spent tax money and how it is being used. There is not enough third-party oversight, and our school board has failed to implement the findings & recommendations from the audits!
Implement independent third-party audits every four months instead of every four years; ensuring detailed and itemized accountability for every cent spent. This system will allow anyone to trace expenditures easily, and I plan to roll it out within the first six months.
READ MOREMost of our schools are a century old and we are still struggling to provide basic facilities like restrooms, security, heat/air conditioning, and potable water despite spending millions of dollars every year and having dedicated full-time maintenance staff!
Identify, prioritize and quickly address each school's basic needs before starting any new projects. My plan will resolve these issues within months, so our children no longer suffer from any shortages
READ MOREOur schools have failed to meet the expectations of parents and continue to sink at the lower ratings.
Restructure the school system to empower parents with more control and open up school district for special kids. I will nurture students to sharpen their skills in science, sports, and arts while improving school ratings. I will help elevate school district performance and will work on its implementation within a year.
READ MORECurrently, we don’t have any plan or system in place that can motivate our teachers, especially those who are working hard but are not rewarded enough!
Establish a fair system that evaluates educators on overall student performance and parent satisfaction. A "Teachers Academy" that offers free training and a clear career path (like Police Academy), with ongoing education considerable for merit pay. Implementation will happen within a year.
READ MORELarge infrastructure and huge school district facilities are significantly underutilized! This means we are wasting the resources and the potential we already have instead of making the most of it.
Foster partnerships with organizations that invest in our children's future. Utilizing underused school facilities for education, sports, and professional development with local businesses will benefit our students, our community, and generate extra funds.
READ MOREI was raised with a strong sense of responsibility towards the well-being of those around me. My service in the military instilled in me a sense of duty and a commitment to defending our nation, and now, I’m eager to serve my local community. With 20 years of education and multiple degrees under my belt, I understand the importance of a quality education. My own child is enrolled in Jersey City schools, making this issue incredibly personal for me. I am deeply rooted in Jersey City, where I have been a hardworking taxpayer for years. Now, I must stand for the Jersey City School Board Elections 2025 to get the change we need as parents for our children and community.
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As a veteran, I have dedicated my life to serving others. Now, I'm ready to serve our community by improving our schools.
READ MOREWith two decades of experience in the education sector, I have the knowledge and insight needed to make a real difference.
READ MOREAs a long-time resident and taxpayer, I understand the concerns of our community and am committed to addressing them.
READ MORELike you, I have a personal stake in the quality of our schools. My child’s future depends on the decisions we make today.
READ MOREMy aim is to build a better, brighter future for all children in our community. With this, the future of our community will be set on the right path.
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