Election 2020: Mendham Twp. School Board Candidate Rekha Mandel

NEW JERSEY - In a few short weeks what is expected to be one of the most charged elections in modern history is set to take place and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 3 election.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the county clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Russ.Crespolini@patch.com. What you see below are their answers with mild style edits.

• Name: Rekha J. Mandel
• Previous elective office: N/A
• Education: Internal Medicine residency training-University of Connecticut (2004- 2007), MD –Ross University School of Medicine, 2004, BA in International relations- Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1995
• Occupation: Primary care and Lifestyle medicine physician
• Fun Fact: First job out of college-news announcer at WWYN 107, a local country music radio station in Jackson, TN.
• What inspires me: One of my most admired authors, Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud”. This year I am truly inspired by the health care professionals who sacrificed their own safety to provide care for others in the time of this pandemic. The nurses, technicians, custodial staff and physicians at many medical facilities who continued working in the face of COVID 19 were the rainbow in these dark times. Now, as the curve has flattened in NJ, our teachers have stepped up to the plate to allow our children to restart learning. As a parent, I am so impressed with the commitment our teachers and administrators have shown to provide a safe environment for effective learning for our children. In a time with no easy solutions and without precedent to draw from, they are doing a tremendous job!

1. Why are you seeking a seat on the board?
Like many other families in our town a large part of our decision to move to Mendham Township 5 years ago was the great reputation of the school system. MTSD has received numerous accolades, including the coveted National Blue-Ribbon School award. I want to ensure that through thoughtful and responsible decision-making our schools remain the high-quality institutions they are today. Along with my 3 children, who are in various stages of their education in our schools, I want every child in our town to continue to have a rich, academically challenging and personally meaningful school experience. This pandemic, however, has changed the education landscape, presenting unique uncertainties for school systems. As a physician, I feel I am well suited to help our Board of Education in meeting these challenges in the time of COVID 19 threat.

2. The single most pressing issue facing our school district and what you intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our school district today is providing a comprehensive high-quality education without compromising safety. Our Board of Education has succeeded in creating detailed, well thought out protocols for reopening the schools. The challenge moving forward will be how do we keep our schools open? And if the decision is made to move to an entirely virtual system, how can teachers continue to engage students with a stimulating online curriculum? As a Board member I will be guided by evidence-based recommendations on best practices from well-respected organizations such the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC among others.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board?

In addition to being the only mom among the candidates, I am also an internist with a focus on primary care and lifestyle medicine. In this capacity I have cared for patients with acute coronavirus infection and continue to provide outpatient care for patients recovering from COVID-19. At the height of the pandemic my job allowed me to gain experience with various aspects of SARS-CoV2. I am familiar with CDC guidelines, emerging research regarding treatment options and vaccine trials.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

As a parent and a township resident I am committed to our community. I am a big champion for children’s social and emotional well-being. Just prior to the pandemic, I participated in a parent led recess educating our middle schoolers about ways to transform stress and the importance of sleep. Over the past 3 years, I have also volunteered as co-chair for the Cultural Arts Committee at the elementary school and am serving in this capacity this year at MTMS. In this role, I help to select which assemblies are invited to perform at our schools. We used this opportunity to broaden our student’s exposure to other cultures with music and dance from around the world. One of our district goals for this year is to review the practices in our school system to ensure equity based on race, gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity. I await the opportunity to collaborate with the board and our administration to turn these goals into effective policies that will promote diversity and inclusiveness.

During my career, I have had the opportunity to teach medical students, residents and nurse practitioners. I have used my communication skills to give talks on nutrition and stress management at the Chambers Center in Morristown. In 2017, I served as lead physician at Zufall Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Dover, New Jersey. Our busy clinic provided care to the underserved. I learned how to work within the constraints of a clinic budget to maximize treatment with limited resources. I am hopeful that these skills will help guide me to make prudent financial decisions regarding our school budget.

Recovering from COVID-19 is going to put a significant financial strain on the schools. With so much of our tax dollars going to support them. But cuts will still be needed. Where do you see room for budget improvement? What things will you go to the mat to defend?

Now more than ever we are appreciating our educators and realizing that a well-run school district is integral to our community. I have reviewed the budget that was passed in May 2020. Since that time, we have had an influx of new families into our town. Both the elementary and middle schools have had to use their buildings strategically to accommodate this growth. Going forward there will be new fixed costs for example the added expense of daily sanitization of our schools and buses. It will take time to recover from COVID-19, as detailed in the budget proposal, MTSD transportation department will be generating a revenue stream from its outsourced school buses. Perhaps we may need to consider outsourcing our extracurricular activities as an option to control expenditures. I look forward to looking for strategic ways to re-allocate funding while supporting our teachers and students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put into focus the issue of mandatory vaccinations. If such a movement gains traction, where do you stand on the issue for your community?

Currently we have around 40 different coronavirus vaccines in clinical trials. But no one knows how effective any of these vaccines will be. As a physician, I understand the need to protect our health care workers. In fact, in order to see patients, I am obligated to take a yearly flu shot. If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven both safe, effective and with limited adverse reactions then parents will likely seek out this vaccine. At this point, it is too premature to discuss mandatory vaccination. Prevention is key and personal protective equipment works!

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Murphy, there have been many questions about how the process will work. Below is some further reading on the Nov. 3 election process:

• Here's How NJ's Mail-In General Election Will Work: What To Know

A primarily vote-by-mail election means a lot of changes to election day. See what you can expect this November.

• What's A NJ Provisional Ballot? How Does It Work? Patch Found Out

Those not needing an ADA compliant booth will need a provisional ballot to vote in-person. Here is what that will look like.

• Do Mail-In Ballots Force NJ Voters To Lie? Here's The Answer

There was language on the primary ballots asked voters certify they requested the ballot, even if they didn't.

• How Are Election Signatures Verified In NJ? Patch Found Out

Voters wondering how their signatures are checked before the upcoming election can see the process for themselves.

• How To Register, Track Your General Election Vote Online In NJ

Need to register for the upcoming election? Want to track your vote once you do? Read on to learn how.

• Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In New Jersey

Here is a recap of important dates to remember with upcoming election, all in one place.

• NJ: Get A Wrong Or Duplicate Ballot? It Is Probably Your Fault

Confusion and concern has reigned as ballots arrive, here Patch got some answers from a county clerk.

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