Meet The 2019 Mendham Twp Board Of Education Candidates

MENDHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — Three seats are open on the Mendham Township Board of Education this year, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

Three candidates are running for three open three-year terms on the board. The race is uncontested.

We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were asked to keep answers to a maximum of 200 words each. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted.

Andrew Christmann did not respond to Patch's requests for comment. Not all candidates submitted photos.

Gretchen Holquist

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

One of the reasons that Mendham Township continues to attract families to move here is the quality of the schools. Being a member of the Board of Education is a privilege and allows me to contribute to the long-term success of the schools.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

As with many districts in NJ, I think the biggest challenge facing Mendham Township is continuing the high quality of education demonstrated through two Blue Ribbon schools, and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner. The costs of healthcare, among other costs, continue to rise significantly, and it creates a real challenge for districts’ budgets.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Pragmatic, Optimistic, Clever

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

As a current member of the Mendham Township Board of Education, I have 3 years of experience on this board specifically that can contribute continuity and broader perspective to newer board members. I also have nearly 20 years of marketing and general management experience that allows me to add value from a strategic planning and communications perspective. Finally, as a mom of 3 students in the district I have direct visibility to how the short-term decisions connect to the long-term goals for Mendham Township.

Joan Mody

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I am running for re-election to the Mendham Township BOE because I would like to continue to be involved in the decisions that greatly impact our students in order to maintain our District's excellent educational achievements and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for all.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing schools in our town is maintaining the quality of education while facing the pressures of budgetary restraints, all the while providing the students with a healthy and enriching environment in which they can thrive. To address this challenge, I will continue to work hard with other members of the Board to address how to maintain the balance of fiscal responsibility while ensuring the availability of excellent educational opportunities. To improve our effectiveness, we are working to prepare for the upcoming year's budget earlier as well as keeping our BOE members more engaged with continuing education.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Three words I would use to describe myself would be: conscientious, compassionate, and an advocate.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My experience on the Board of Education since January of 2019 has helped me hone my skills as a collaborator, listener, and leader. In prior roles, I have proved to be an effective leader as the President of the Mendham Township Library Board of Trustees where we maintain the operations and oversee fundraising for our library, "The Cornerstone for Community Enrichment." I have also practiced law in NY and NJ for the past 18 years, owning my own practice in Morristown for the past 12 years. As a result of this experience, my understanding of legal complexities and regulatory structures will continue to add value to the BOE's work. Additionally, as the mother of three young children, I am tasked with leading by example everyday to ensure they are kind and pro-active citizens of our community.