Marple Newtown School Board Candidate Sheetal Shah-Jani

Sheetal R. Shah-Jani - Marple Newtown School Board Director

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Party Affiliation

Family

Husband: Vipul Jani (53); Daughter: Sarisa Jani (18) and Son: Sumit Jani (14)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor's and J.D.

Occupation

Attorney (20+ years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Minority Inspector Marple 5-1; Board Member, Marple Newtown High School Band Assoc.

Campaign website

https://mndems.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am ready to serve the community that I have called home for the past 22+ years. Throughout growing up in India it was instilled in me and my sister by our parents that with privilege comes responsibilities to give back to the community, which is what I continue to aspire to by volunteering within our community and other civic and professional organizations.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

In my opinion, we should make decisions which are in the best interests of our schools and its community regardless of party affiliations. I will consider each issue on its merits, listen carefully, take a deliberative approach and make a decision regardless of party line or political repercussions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am running with three others (Chris Riviello, Joanne Holsten, and Laurie Lynch) because we believe our platform of ideas is what our district needs to stay competitive for the future, along with listening to the community including parents, students, and teachers to build an environment that promotes fresh ideas for diversity, inclusion and sustainable growth for all.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Exploring opportunities for full day Kindergarten program, Live streaming and making recordings of School Board meetings available to the community, and establishing robust communications with Parent Advocates.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am an attorney with over 20 years' of experience and a proven track record of leadership and teamwork. I started my career as a young lawyer representing the Houston Federation of Teachers Union and others through the legal system who may not have the means to get legal assistance. As a former partner at a Center City law firm, I was responsible for department budgets and managing attorneys and legal staff from all walks of life. I am an active member of the Marple Newtown High School Band Association and have volunteered with the Philadelphia Bar Association's Advancing Civics Education initiative to engage high school students in critical thinking about government, law and dispute resolution. I also currently serve as a member on the School District's Equity and Diversity Interest Group, comprising of various individuals from our community, including parents, current school board members, administrative staff, and students.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen, listen, and listen. Listening to others, even if they differ from you is one of the greatest gifts, along with being empathetic.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Although I am an "implant" to the Marple Newtown community, my husband's family has lived here since 1979. His parents moved to Newtown Square with his two siblings, all of whom are a product of Marple Newtown schools, and currently still reside in this community with their respective families. I want to see Marple Newtown schools to be the best of the best, and one of the ways to achieve that is to have transparency, inclusion, and diversity for all, along with good governance. My overall objective is to have a school board leadership based on best practices and standards to the benefit of all of our children.