Election 2020: 8 Candidates Running For 3 Seats In Princeton BoE

PRINCETON, NJ — The November election is just around the corner, and this year voters have more than one way to cast their ballot and more time to make their choice.

If you haven't sent in your mail-in ballot, or plan to head to the polling station on Nov.3, here's a guide to who's running for a seat on the Princeton Board of Education.

This year eight candidates are vying for three seats. Up for grabs are the seats held by Beth Behrend, Jessica Deutsch and Michele Tuck-Ponder. Incumbents Behrend and Tuck-Ponder are seeking re-election to three-year terms, while Deutsch is not seeking another term.

They are being challenged by Adam Bierman, Hendricks S. Davis, Jean Y. Durbin, Paul M. Johnson, Karen Lemon and William “Bill” Hare.

Over the past few week Patch published profiles of candidates running for a seat on the Board of Education. They spoke about their campaign platform and laid out their plans for the school district.

Behrend, who is currently Board President, said that her experience and proven track record of making progress during her two years of leadership is what the Board needs during the these challenging times. If elected, she wants to focus on appointing an experienced Superintendent, further reduce spending and collaborate on strategic planning.

Read more about Behrend’s campaign platform here: Princeton Board of Education Profile: Beth Behrend

Michele Tuck-Ponder has held various offices over the past 30 years, including mayor. She wants to ensure all students get equal and excellent education without putting much burden on the taxpayer. Tuck-Ponder said she has used her voice and vote to highlight and address issues of inequity in Princeton schools, and will continue to do so.

You can read more about Tuck-Ponder's platform here: Princeton Board of Education Profile: Michele Tuck-Ponder.

Adam Bierman said he is running to make education accessible and affordable for all students. A teacher by profession, Bierman believes his background and experience can help prioritize spending on that which is most important for students and the community. He said that the Board of Education at times behaves like a private club, and he hopes to change that once elected.

Read more about Bierman here: Candidate Profile: Adam Bierman, Princeton Board Of Education.

Jean Y. Durbin brings with her a background in social work, policy and law, which she feels could help the school district in achieving many of its future goals. She said that educating children in the midst of a pandemic and reckoning with past racial injustice is some of the challenges faced by the school district that she hopes to work on.

You can read more about Durbin here: Candidate Profile: Jean Durbin For Princeton Board Of Education

Paul M. Johnson is a student-athlete coach. He is running with Karen Lemon and William "Bill" Hare on ‘Diversity, Affordability, Trust’ slate. If elected, he hopes to tackle issues of equity/equality head on. Johnson said that the school district has failed to have an open and honest dialogue with families and the community, and he wants to change that.

Read more about Johnson’s platform here: Candidate Profile: Paul Johnson For Princeton Board Of Education

Karen Lemon is a recently-retired AT&T executive, who has led many inclusion and diversity teams in her career. She believes in working collaboratively as part of the Board of Education to regain Princeton's reputation for providing excellent, affordable education for students, in a diverse and welcoming community. She wants to focus on low income, Black, Hispanic, and special needs students.

You can read more about Karen here: Candidate Profile: Karen Lemon For Princeton Board Of Education

William “Bill” Hare is running with Johnson and Lemon on 'Diversity, Affordability, Trust' slate.

In anticipation of the upcoming election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. Candidates who answered the questions have had their profiles published on Patch.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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