Andrew Gideon
Stronger Oversight. Better Schools.
A parent, volunteer, and data-driven advocate for Montclair schools for over a decade; now ready to bring that work to the board.
I’m a longtime Montclair resident, public-school parent and volunteer, technologist, and regular participant in Board of Education meetings and district issues. For years, I’ve analyzed school performance, budgets, schedules, and district data and shared that work publicly with the Board and community.
I’m running for the Montclair Board of Education, focusing on student achievement, long-term fiscal stability, effective oversight, and clear, useful information for Board decision-making.
Andrew's Priorities
These aren’t just goals. Each one includes how I intend to get there.
Student Achievement
An excellent education for every student, supported by meaningful measures of academic performance.
An excellent education for every student, supported by meaningful measures of academic performance.
- Goal: Provide an excellent, high-quality education for every student.
- Strategy: Support foundational learning in math, literacy, and critical thinking.
- Action: Use standardized performance metrics to track what works and direct resources into the classroom and to individual students.
Fiscal Stability
Better visibility into spending and financial trends before problems become crises.
Better visibility into spending and financial trends before problems become crises.
- Goal:Protect local tax dollars and prevent sudden budget crises.
- Strategy: Ensure maximum value by evaluating spending against direct classroom impact.
- Action: Establish routine, proactive financial metrics available well before critical board votes occur.
Effective Oversight & Useful Data
Clear, timely information that helps the Board understand problems, evaluate alternatives, and measure results.
Clear, timely information that helps the Board understand problems, evaluate alternatives, and measure results.
- Goal: Build an accountable, trustworthy school board.
- Strategy: Modernize how information moves from district administration to the board and public.
- Action: Form informal community volunteer working groups to assist with data modeling, analytics and presentation.
Smart governance is not extra bureaucracy. It is the essential bridge to fiscal efficiency and student success.
Years of Involvement with Montclair's Schools
Board participation
I regularly attend Montclair Board of Education meetings and have publicly presented analyses of district issues. See Andrew’s public record →
Academic performance
I presented an analysis of NJSLA performance in 2022 that reorganized district data to examine changes in student performance over time. Watch the presentation →
School schedules and instructional time
I co-presented a 2019 analysis of changes to the Montclair High School schedule and their effects on instructional time. Watch the presentation →
Making school data understandable
I write analyses of district issues and created a prototype dashboard using NJ Department of Education public data to make performance and budget information easier to examine. See the dashboard →
Good choices come from good information. Data alone is not enough.
Good choices require information that is accurate, timely, understandable, and placed in context. My work on district performance, budgets, schedules, and public data has focused on turning information into something the Board and community can use to make informed decisions.
In Montclair's Schools
I remain active with the PTA Council even though my children have graduated, and I’ve mentored and supported the MHS robotics team for several years.
- PTA Council technology support
- MHS robotics mentoring
- BOE participation
- District analytical work
- School-data and public-information projects
Professional and Community Experience
- Software engineer
- B.S.E. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
- M.S. in Computer Science, NYU
- Montclair Cable TV Committee
- Aviation organization board/leadership experience
Personal Connection
I’ve lived in Montclair since the late 1980s. My two children attended Montclair Public Schools from elementary school through Montclair High School. Although both have now graduated, I’ve remained actively involved in the district through PTA Council technology work, robotics mentoring, Board meetings, and analysis of district issues.
Looking Ahead
Montclair has made major investments in its schools. The next challenge is ensuring those investments produce measurable benefits for students and are accessible across the district. That means making the best use of every taxpayer dollar, backed by stronger fiscal management and Board oversight.
Montclair voters have made a clear statement about our community’s priorities, choosing to invest $188 million into our school facilities and funding the payment of the deficit accrued over the past few years. Faced with cuts to freshmen athletics, Montclair stepped in to fill the financial gap. Coupled with expanded access to pre-K, dual-enrollment college programs, and career and technical education certifications through the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, our district has built a strong foundation for future success.
Moving forward, the Board of Education must ensure these programs are not just available in theory, but accessible to all students in practice. Our goal should be to inspire every student in Montclair to push their boundaries and achieve all that they are capable of. By tracking progress with clear metrics and supporting effective instruction, the board can ensure every student receives the tools and encouragement needed to reach their highest potential.