Bridgewater-Raritan School District Election Results For 2020

Updated as of 12:06 a.m.

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The polls are closed and votes are being tallied in a heated Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School Board Election.

There are four candidates vying for the two, three-year seats.

Here are the unofficial results as of 11:54 p.m., according to Somerset County:

• Jessica Levitt: 9,488
• Barry R. Walker: 8,164
• Scott Mihalick: 4,349
• John-Paul Levin: 5,797

There are also two unopposed seats. Chingchaun "Jean" Lee is running unopposed for the one, one-year unexpired term. Lucretia "Lucy" Sandler is running unopposed for the one, three-year seat representing Raritan.

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Controversy arose surrounding the school board race after Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench endorsed two Board of Education candidates — Republicans Walker and Levin. Some said it is his freedom of speech to have an opinion on the race while others started a petition to keep politics out of the school board race. Read More: Politics Or Freedom Of Speech? Bridgewater School Race Heats Up

Taking a look at the candidates, Walker is the only incumbent running. He was previously elected in 2018.

Levin:

Levin's campaign is founded on three pillars: transparency, accountability, and responsibility. Levin has lived in Bridgewater for 39 years. After starting his first business in 1990, he was appointed as the head coach of the Princeton University equestrian team in 1999. He was also previously been appointed to the Bound Brook Economic Development Advisory Committee and Planning Board, and elected to the Bound Brook Borough Council. He has also been a member of the Somerset County Library Commission, Somerset-Morris County Chronic Disease Coalition, and am currently a member of the Bridgewater Economic Development Committee.

Levin feels the single most pressing issue facing the school district is budget management.

"Since 2016-17, the BOE's tax levy has increased by over 13 percent to $146, 817, 259. In return, however, taxpayers have seen very little: no A/C in most classrooms, rationed Chromebooks at BRHS, and now, virtual "learning" until October," Levin said. "To ensure that the BOE does not continue to hemorrhage taxpayer funds on financially irresponsible initiatives like the proposed delay in school start times, my first action on the BOE would be to go through the District budget, line by line, and ask the tough questions: Why are we paying for this? What benefit has it provided us? Have we sought out competitive bids? How are we tracking our results?"

Other issues Levin would like to see addressed in the school district include repairing the school facilities, making smart investments in technology, and being mindful of its curriculum development.

Levitt:

Levitt says wants to serve her community because she cares about the students. She has two children (grades 11 and 8) who have been in the district since kindergarten. Her kids have very distinct learning styles and different needs and have utilized many aspects of the schools including the AI and E programs, both academic and honors level classes, counseling and mental health services, and special needs.

Levitt also has a Bachelor's of Science from Duke University with a double major in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She runs her own business as a textile designer, author, artist, event planner, and teacher. She understands the importance of advancing STEM education and also how vital the arts, athletics, and extra-curricular activities are.

Levitt says the single most pressing issue facing the school district is continuing to provide and excellent and equitable education in the midst of the pandemic.

"I intend to ensure this by continuing to make our students the priority. Decisions about the format and operations of schools should be based on science and health experts," Levitt said. "We must also listen to our teachers and administrators to understand how they need to be supported. This should include expanded professional development."

Other issues Levitt would like to address are making sure equity, opportunity, and respect for all students and staff is expected, including access to a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom to athletics, the arts, and other extra-curricular activities.

Mihalick:

Mihalick and his wife have three daughters all within 19 months of each other. Now that they are older he wants to devote his time to serve on the school board. Mihalick says he is running for school board because his professional experience has given him tremendous insight into the operations and finances of public school districts. He is also running to be a voice for what folks in BR are looking for from the school district.

Mihalick has spent the last 22 years in his day job as an architect designing additions, alterations, and facilities/infrastructure upgrades for New Jersey public schools. He is also one of the founding members of the Somerset County Business Partnership's Emerging Leaders of Somerset County, a young professionals group. He was named one as of NJBIZ's "40 Under 40" and was selected to serve on the Advisory Committee for the American Institute of Architect Young Architects Forum's "YAF15" summit in Washington, DC. He has previously served on various committees for his alma mater NJIT, and was involved in the ACE Mentor Program.

The coronavirus pandemic is the single most pressing issue for the school district, Mihalick says. Additionally, he wants "stability, consistency, and action" in the district by hiring a permanent superintendent to help address issues like full-day kindergarten and school start times.

"Full-day kindergarten and school start times are two that seem to have been talked about for years; in particular, I know a bit more about the full-day kindergarten initiative, as I was strongly behind its implementation when it was being discussed before my children were school age. That was six years ago. Let's do what we need to do to study the issues, either at a committee level, the full Board, or a task force; bring a recommendation to the Board; and take action to move forward," Mihalick said.

The curriculum and school budget are also issues Mihalick wants to address.

In working through the development of new budgets, I would use my experience with public school finance to be an active voice in helping to craft the budget, and exploring ways to save funds or procure grants or other alternative options," Mihalick said.

Links to the candidate's profiles:

• Jessica Levitt
• Barry R. Walker
• Scott Mihalick
• John-Paul Levin

For full coverage of the 2020 election in New Jersey, go here: New Jersey Elections 2020

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