Committed to Allendale’s
Future

Hello, neighbor! My name is Matthew Engel, and I'm running for a seat on the Allendale school board because I believe that the children of this community - my own future students among them - deserve every possible opportunity to excel. To do that, we need a school board that puts our children first.

Our school board elections are non-partisan for a reason – Personal politics have no place in our classrooms. The role of our schools is to educate, not to indoctrinate. Our school board members shouldn’t be beholden to a political agenda or outside organization. They need to put the best interests of our kids above everything, and work together with our educators towards that common goal. Our school board also needs members with skin in the game, who are invested in outcomes, not members whose kids are no longer in school system or who choose to send their kids to private school.

I'm not a politician. I'm a community member who is concerned about our kid’s future. I want to make sure our kids are prepared for the world they'll eventually inherit. Technology is changing quickly, and the workplace and the skills employers value are evolving. The job market our students will enter looks nothing like the one their parents encountered. Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping virtually every industry in real time. I witness that every day in my work. The status quo won't suffice any longer. Our schools need to keep pace by preparing students for the future, while still grounding them in the durable skills that will serve them no matter what comes next: critical thinking, adaptability, technological literacy, and a strong academic foundation.

My kids aren't school age yet, but that's precisely why I'm stepping forward now. The policies we shape today, the resources we allocate, and the standards we set will be the system they walk into when it's their turn. I don't want to react to a broken system when my children arrive at the doorstep — I want to help build one that's ready for them, and for every child in this district. Now, more than ever, our community and our kids, needs a forward-thinking mindset.

Of course, the best way to understand what matters to you personally is to talk face-to-face. I'd much rather be out knocking on your door and shaking your hand — but that isn't always possible. That's where this website comes in. It is here so you can learn more about me personally, read my platform in full, and — most importantly — reach out and share what's on your mind. I'm here to listen.

Every decision I will make as a board member starts with a simple question: Does this serve our students and their futures? If you share that conviction, I'd be honored to earn your support.

Thank you for taking the time to visit.

- Matthew Engel

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