Why the BOE Matters

By Josh Orlinsky, Orange Board of Education Candidate

My name is Josh Orlinsky and I am running for the Orange Board of Education in this November’s election. In 2020 my family moved to Orange after a long search of the towns in the area, in large part because of the community feel and the school system.

Growing up in a shore town in central New Jersey, I was looking for a similar atmosphere for my boys to grow up with. We found that here in Orange. My concern is how frequently and deeply party politics has entered into our schools, and the decision-making process. Too often we are seeing that who a person voted for in the last election dictates how they vote on local issues that should be bipartisan or non-political.  

I’m running in order to serve the members of the community, the children in our school system, and their families in a way that utilizes my lifetime spent in education. I am running because experience matters.

In the fall, I hope the members of our community elect people who care about both the short-term needs and the long-term vision that will keep our town thriving.  I am running because far too often we see politics insert itself into education where common sense and collaboration used to live. Our two wonderful little boys will be at MLT and Peck Place schools in the fall, so this election is deeply personal. I am running for them, for their classmates, their teachers, and everyone in our community who is directly or indirectly impacted by our school system. 

As a 23-year teacher, multiple sport coach, department chair, and lifelong learner, I can see that Orange has done an amazing job of building a great place for our kids to learn.  Let's keep that moving forward and growing, and not rest on our laurels.

Thank you,

Josh Orlinsky

This letter originally appeared in the Milford-Orange Times, July 10, page 5