As township officials spend public resources producing political attack videos targeting an independent school board, the Piscataway Township Education Association quietly organizes community events that serve hundreds of families at no cost to taxpayers.

PISCATAWAY, N.J., March 20, 2026 — The Piscataway Township Education Association (PTEA) stands proudly with the community we serve. The PTEA is putting a spotlight on the remarkable work that Piscataway's teachers and support staff have accomplished this school year to improve the lives of families across the township.

In contrast, the campaign by Piscataway Township Mayor Brian Wahler to undermine public confidence in the elected Board of Education should concern every resident. The most recent example is an Instagram Reel posted to the official township account on March 18, 2026, filled with misleading financial claims against the school system — a district nationally recognized for excellence, diversity, and community engagement.

OUR SCHOOLS DESERVE COMMITMENT FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS

In the politically motivated smear campaign against the BOE, Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler's administration omits how the township could increase the school district's budget. The township’s current PILOT agreements exclude schools from gaining any portion of hotel and development tax revenue. Wahler’s campaign also mischaracterizes state law governing school district reserve funds. It cherry-picks a three-year comparison window on state aid to hide a six-year declining trend. And it implies that a school board that ranks 20th out of 23 in per-student spending in Middlesex County is somehow overspending.

The Piscataway Township Education Association is genuinely shocked that a sitting mayor would use public resources to run a sustained political campaign against an independent school board. The township government has no legal authority over the school board's budget. These are two independently elected governing bodies. What is happening here is not government transparency. It is political interference in the educational governance of this community.

Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan noted at the July 1, 2025, council meeting that she had counted four or five such videos and asked publicly how much public money was being spent to produce them. That question deserves an answer.

The PTEA rejects the premise of that campaign and invites the community to look at what Piscataway schools, and the educators who pour their hearts into them, have achieved this year.

Zero debt service.
Unlike many districts, Piscataway carries no debt, meaning every tax dollar goes directly to students, not to loan payments.

20th out of 23 in per-student spending in Middlesex County
We are among the most fiscally conservative districts in the county, while still delivering award-winning results.

Niche.com 2025 Best School Districts in NJ: Overall Grade A-
Piscataway ranked #69 in New Jersey (up from #74 in 2024) and #7 among all 23 Middlesex County districts (up from #8).

The district earned A+ ratings in both College Prep and Diversity, and an A in Teachers and Clubs & Activities.

Eisenhower Elementary School: #1 Most Diverse Elementary School in New Jersey — and #36 in the nation

This is not a one-year result. It reflects years of intentional, staff-driven work to build an inclusive school community.

Piscataway High School: #2 Most Diverse High Schools in New Jersey

Eight Piscataway schools rank in the Top 25 among the most diverse schools in New Jersey for their respective grade levels, including all three middle schools.

#11 Most Diverse District in New Jersey
This number is out of nearly 600 school districts statewide — up from #13 in 2024.

4 National Awards from the National School Public Relations Association in 2024
The second-highest award total of any district in New Jersey, including an Award of Excellence (one of only 20 nationwide) for the district's School Guide and Calendar

These results do not happen by accident. They happen because of dedicated educators, administrators, and BOE members who show up every day, far beyond school hours, to ensure student success.

PTEA Community Initiatives 2025–2026

The following is a record of community events organized or co-sponsored by the PTEA and our FAST (Families and Schools Together) and PEP (Parent Engagement Program) Committees. These events span every grade level and reflect the PTEA's commitment to the whole child and the whole family.

Knollwood Elementary — Breakfast Over Books (November 14, 2025)
PTEA's FAST Committee partnered with the Knollwood PTO to host the school's first Breakfast Over Books event of the year. The morning featured a special appearance by author and U.S. Army veteran Chris Bridges, who read from his book and shared stories about service, resilience, and belonging with students and their families. The event brought together multiple grade levels in a warm, communal setting with parents seated alongside their children, sharing a meal and a story. The school’s ParentSquare post noted: "His visit made the event especially memorable."

Knollwood Elementary — Breakfast Over Books (March 3, 2026)
The FAST Committee brought author Lori Skala to Knollwood for the second Breakfast Over Books event of the year. All proceeds from Lori's book sales were donated to pediatric cancer and animal rescue support. This event modeled for students that community care extends beyond the walls of their school.

Arbor Intermediate — Breakfast with Your Child (October 14–17, 2025)
PTEA's PEP Committee organized a multi-day Breakfast with Your Child series at Arbor Intermediate School, welcoming families into the school building to share the morning with their children. This was one of the most heavily attended family engagement events of the fall semester. The event featured decorated tables, balloons, and a warm atmosphere designed to make families feel welcomed in their school.

Eisenhower Elementary — Buddy Ball Trick-or-Treat (October 27, 2025)
One of the year's most heartwarming events, this Halloween celebration at Eisenhower Elementary was organized in partnership with Piscataway Buddy Ball — an inclusive sports program for students with special needs. PTEA members served as volunteers, creating a space where every child could experience the joy of the season, the pride of participation, and the support of community.

Eisenhower Elementary — Winter Wonderland (December 15, 2025)
PTEA's PEP Committee brought the magic of the season to Eisenhower Elementary with a Winter Wonderland celebration giving families a festive, welcoming experience in their school building during the holiday season. The event reflected the PTEA's belief that schools should be joyful place for students, and the families who trust educators with their children every day.

PHS — Community Fair (November 19–20, 2025)
The PTEA organized a two-day Community Fair at Piscataway High School, connecting Piscataway families with vital local resources. The fair featured community organizations, service providers, and partners including Replenish, the Middlesex County food security and hunger education initiative. Bilingual materials were available in English and Spanish, reflecting the district's deep commitment to serving all families. The fair offered resources on nutrition, food security, community services, and family wellness. The event culminated in donations of $2,500 to each of the following: Fish, Inc.; James O’Bryant Food Pantry; and Radiant Church from the PTEA.

PHS — FAFSA Night (October 18, 2025)
Recognizing that college access begins with financial literacy, PTEA's FAST Committee organized a FAFSA Night at Piscataway High School, helping families navigate the federal financial aid application process. For many Piscataway families, particularly first-generation college students, events like this can be the difference between a college education and a door that never opens. PTEA educators volunteered to show up and open that door.

PHS — What's Next? College & Career Night (December 4, 2025)
PTEA's FAST Committee hosted "What's Next?", a college and career exploration night designed to help PHS students map out life after high school. The event provided resources, guidance, and connections to help students see the full range of opportunities available to them. Investment in students is not just teaching the curriculum. It is also preparing young people for the world beyond the classroom.

Children's Corner Preschool — FAST Bear Night (March 4, 2026)
PTEA's FAST Committee brought Bear Night to Piscataway's youngest learners at Children's Corner Preschool — a family engagement event designed to build the home-school connection from the very first years of a child's education. Early family engagement in education produces lifelong benefits. PTEA educators are building those foundations.

Randolphville Elementary — FAST Bear Night (March 5, 2026)
The Bear Night series continued at Randolphville Elementary, brought the FAST Committee's signature family engagement model to one of Piscataway's elementary schools. These events draw strong family participation and reflect the PTEA's commitment to every school in the district, and every corner of the community.

PTEA’s COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY

The PTEA represents the educators, support staff, and school professionals who show up every day for Piscataway's children. We tutor students before school. We stay after school. We organize breakfast events, family fairs, and career nights, on our own time, out of our own commitment to this community. We create spaces where children with disabilities can play and be celebrated. We connect families with food security resources. We help teenagers figure out how to pay for college.

We do not do this for politics or recognition. We do it because Piscataway's children deserve educators who believe in them completely. This community deserves to know that the people who teach their children are deeply invested in our township's future.

We are asking this community to look at the record. Look at the rankings. Look at the hundreds of families who signed in to PTEA events this year. And ask: who is working for Piscataway's children and why are our schools being attacked?

ABOUT PTEA: The Piscataway Township Education Association (PTEA) represents the educators, educational support professionals, and school staff of the Piscataway Township School District. PTEA members are committed to excellence in education and deep engagement with the Piscataway community through programs including FAST (Families and Schools Together) and PEP (Parent Engagement Program).