Responses: Derkoski

Please share why you decided to run for the HSD Board of Education.

I decided to run for the BOE in Haddonfield because I feel I could be an asset and a resource. I have been in public education positions for many years .I started my career as a teacher and elevated to Superintendent of Schools in 4 different districts. I have been a Asst. Superintendent or Superintendent for 29 years.

Do you support the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and continued compliance with NJ state laws on diversity and inclusion instruction such as the NJ Diversity & Inclusion Law, New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education Curriculum and New Jersey Amistad Commission Education Curriculum and C.18A:35-4.35?

I definitely support the districts DEI initiatives and ALL the N.J. laws which coincide with it .In my Administrative positions I was DIRECTLY responsible for making sure the school district was in compliance.

Do you support curricular representation of LGBTQ+ perspectives, families, and history in the same age-appropriate and respectful manner that the curriculum represents cisgender and heterosexual perspectives, families, and history?  We ask that you sign Unite Against Book Ban’s candidate pledge. 

I definitely support your initiates and will monitor the implementation of all the requirements. I did complete and sign the “Unite Against Book Ban Pledge” 

Do you support our district’s continued compliance with all New Jersey Student Learning Standards, including the comprehensive health education standards?

I support our Districts compliance with ALL New Jersey Student Learning Standards .I believe the  comprehensive health education standards are appropriate and  necessary to implement.

Do you support the district’s focus on Social Emotional Learning?

I support the districts focus on Social Emotional Learning  .It is so important to address the whole child and not just academics. To  often  school districts ignore areas  of important developmental stages of a student. 

Is there anything else would you like voters to know about you?

I would like the voters to know it would be a pleasure and honor to serve my community in the capacity of school board member .I am now TOTALLY retired after spending many years in public education .I believe I could be a positive asset and resource to the existing excellent board of education.