Meet Kelly Fiorentini

Committed to shaping a better future for our schools and community

My name is Kelly Fiorentini, and my family and I have proudly called Shrewsbury home for the past six years. My husband, Giancarlo, grew up in Monmouth County. We moved to Shrewsbury from Los Angeles after our first child was born, knowing we wanted to raise our family close to relatives and in a community with an excellent school system. We found that in Shrewsbury.

Our oldest daughter, Emma, is now in 2nd grade with Mrs. Blake, and our twins, Giorgio and Isabel (Izzy), are happily attending Pre-K at SBS. Like so many families, we feel deeply connected to this school, and I want to help ensure that it remains a place where children thrive.

SBS has all the ingredients of an exceptional K-8 school: talented teachers, small class sizes, and a strong connection with the community. At the same time, I recognize the challenges ahead. Teacher turnover has been a concern, and I want to work with the Board to understand and address the root causes so we can keep great educators here. With Mr. MacConnell retiring at the end of this school year, the next chapter of SBS leadership will be critical, and I hope to contribute to that process by listening to the concerns and hopes of our families.

You’ll often see me around town—at rec sports practices, Trader Joe's, Bagelmasters, or just out in the community—and I want you to know that I’m all ears. I believe the Board and the community can work more collaboratively, even in times of tension, and I am committed to being a voice for open communication, respect, and progress.

About Kelly

What matters to me?

Teacher Retention

Since 2021, our school— with a staff of about 68—has seen more than 30 resignations plus a handful of positions eliminated, meaning we’ve turned over more than half of our staff in just a few years. By comparison, the average annual turnover in New Jersey public schools is typically around 10%. This is a serious challenge that demands attention. If elected, I will work with the Board to understand the causes of this high turnover, benchmark against nearby districts, and take concrete steps to improve teacher retention—because keeping talented, committed educators in our classrooms is essential to stability and student success.

Communication & Community

Shrewsbury families care deeply about our school, and it shows—through emails, volunteering at events, and showing up at Board meetings to make their voices heard. I want that to continue, and I believe we can do more to make community involvement easier and more meaningful. If elected, I will advocate for more accessible Board meetings (including live streaming or virtual Q&A if possible), earlier release of agendas, and a renewed focus on building trust and collaboration between the Board and the community. At the end of the day, we all share the same goal: helping our children thrive—and we should be playing on the same team.

Bullying, Mental Health & In-School Support

The results from last year’s NJ SCI Survey were eye-opening. Many students in grades 3–5 shared concerns such as, “Students at this school leave kids out of groups on purpose”, “Students at this school say mean things to each other in person”, and "Students at this school push, hit, or kick each other on purpose." It can be tempting to dismiss this as “kids being kids,” but I believe we can do better. At SBS, I’d love to see more research and investment in budget-friendly programs that foster a kinder, more inclusive school culture for our children.

Experience

My professional and volunteer experiences have all centered on organization, communication, and bringing people together—skills that I believe are essential for a Board of Education member.

PTA Leadership: I currently serve as the Technology & Communications Lead for the PTA. This year, I redesigned the PTA website to make it easier for parents to find information about upcoming events, sales, and volunteer opportunities—because clear communication builds stronger community involvement.

Project Management: As a technical project manager for a local tech company, I thrive on attention to detail and problem-solving. I know how to manage complex projects, keep things on track, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks—an approach I would bring to Board responsibilities.

Event Coordination: Before moving to Shrewsbury, I worked as an events coordinator for Netflix in Los Angeles, producing large-scale events with hundreds of attendees. Those experiences taught me the importance of communication, planning, and teamwork—skills I will use to keep the Board connected to the community and to help make sure every voice is heard.

Together, these roles have prepared me to serve thoughtfully and effectively on the Board of Education, with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and results.