I’ve had the fortunate opportunity recently to come to know Isaac Cheng. Isaac is a product of WW-P schools, which gives him a valuable perspective that the board doesn’t currently have; he graduated with honors from the University of Chicago; and he currently works as a business consultant. I know first-hand how important it is to have a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives on the board, and that Isaac’s experience and education, as well as his collegial and confident manner, ideally suit him for the work of the school board.
I’m a West Windsor resident, but served on the school board for nine years in a variety of leadership positions, and I continue to care deeply about the board’s operations. Isaac Cheng is an exceedingly talented young man who would bring a valuable new perspective to the school board.
Robert J. Johnson
Van Wyck Drive,
Princeton Junction
The voters of Plainsboro have a unique opportunity to extend the excellence of the WW-P school district for another generation by electing Isaac Cheng. The WW-P district has achieved unique success and a reputation that has attracted all of us to this community. The long-term success of our district depends on an effective transfer of leadership to successive sets of leaders.
As a school board member for 12 years and board president for nine, I have had the opportunity to work with more than 25 board members. I believe there are three qualities that are essential for a successful board member: independence and objectivity, an ability to listen, and strategic vision.
I have known Isaac for more than 12 years, first as a student in our schools and more recently as a successful professional who chose to return to Plainsboro after graduating from the University of Chicago. Isaac exemplifies these qualities.
1. Independence and Objectivity: Isaac is well trained at making objective decisions based on his background as a management consultant for Fortune 500 companies. Isaac has the ability to look at data and ask the relevant questions. Based on evidence and careful analysis, he will make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of our children, independent of any outside influence.
2. Ability to Listen: Isaac has a collaborative working style that is essential to working with other board members, educators, and the community. Within the board, the nine members have unique backgrounds and sometimes have different opinions on a particular issue. Based on my past interactions with him, Isaac has the ability to listen to all views and break them down into their relative merits, even if they conflict with his initial opinion. His compassion and eagerness to listen will help him to develop consensus, particularly on difficult issues.
3. Strategic Vision: Isaac’s history in Plainsboro makes him uniquely qualified to understand and appreciate the issues faced by the next generation of students. As someone who was born and raised in Plainsboro and educated through the WW-P schools, Isaac understands the value of the schools to this community and the factors that have led to its success. He is well equipped with the background and strategic vision to maintain the excellence of our district for many years.
Hemant Marathe
Marathe served as school board member from 2001-13 and board president from 2004-13.
Collaborative innovation and science based best practices are key attributes in education leadership. I believe Cheng brings significant value to the board of education through his combination of management advisory skills and deep roots in the Plainsboro community.
He has experienced firsthand as a student four schools within the district and can bring a unique perspective to the issues regarding the advancement of the district while adhering to best practices for the entire student body. His professional expertise in combination with his experience as a consumer of the WW-P school system will provide a balanced approach to problem solving and continuing the tradition of excellence in the district as it may be best applied to each and every student.
Kurt Baker
Mershon Lane, Plainsboro
