Meet your Mountain Brook Board of Education members: Brad Sklar

Brad Sklar, attorney at Sirote & Permutt, P.C., was recently reappointed to the Mountain Brook Board of Education (MBBOE) for a five-year term. As a graduate of the Mountain Brook schools, Sklar became involved with the board when he was asked to fill the remainder of Dr. Eli Capilouto’s term in October 2010. He sat down with Village Living to discuss his role on the board, the challenges it anticipates as the school year gets underway, and his personal goals as a member of the board.

What qualifications and experience do you bring to your position on the Board?

I’m a tax lawyer and corporate transaction lawyer here at Sirote, and I think that one of the challenges for school systems in today’s world is budgeting. With the background I have, I am bringing the same skills that I use for representing clients to the challenges at not only the Mounting Brook School System but also all school systems.

In your view, what is the most important task facing the MBBOE in the coming months?

Students are 21st century learners, and we are trying to make sure that our teachers are well trained and well equipped to deal with students who learn a little bit differently. Our students grew up on computers, and they come into the classroom and need to be challenged differently. The curriculum has had to evolve in order to meet the needs of these 21st century learners.

What do you think is one of the biggest assets of a Mountain Brook education?

I think that the parents and the community and the support that the school system receives from them are clearly the greatest assets that we have. We have wonderful administrators from the superintendent to the cafeteria personnel. We have such great support from parents and community that it makes the job at the schools so much easier.

What are your goals as far as serving on the board?

I aim to truthfully maintain the high standards that have been achieved before me and continue to collaborate with the superintendent, staff and fellow board members, which all have great histories and experience. I think that the financial challenges are not going to get any easier and that the state budgetary constraints are going to continue to require that Mountain Brook be more creative in trying to maintain the high levels of professionalism and commitment to the students. I see my role as being part of that team that helps ensure those things in the future.