Franz Sees Budget Discipline, Student Welfare as Ultimate Goals

Phil Franz is running for a seat on the Board of Education representing Chatham Borough. He currently sits on the board as an interim member, appointed in November to complete Stephen Barna's term on the board.

While on the board, Franz has served on the Personnel Committee and the Policy Committee, and has sat in on other committee meetings.

"At the end of the day, obviously, our responsibility is ultimately to the students in the school system," Franz said, but he recognizes residents of town who may not have children in the district still need to be involved. "What I hope to do is continue to build on that interaction, that cooperation, that sense of community," he said.

Franz moved to the borough in 1999 with his wife Christine. Together they have three children, all enrolled in Chatham public schools: Isabella, 13, Ally, 10, and Frankie, 9.

Franz earned his bachelor's degree in English from Drew University in 1991. He currently works as a director in Bank of America's legal department, and worked for other financial institutions before he joined Bank of America in 2005.

Besides sitting on the board, Franz also is on the board of the Chatham Lacrosse Club and has volunteered as a boys and girls lacrosse coach.