Bernards Township Board Of Education General Election 2025: Smrithi Mohan

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Basking Ridge's general election on Nov. 4 has four candidates running for three open seats on the Bernards Township Board of Education.

Board member incumbent Keith Molinari, along with newly appointed Smrithi Mohan, are both running for re-election to the board. Mohan was selected on June 16 to fill a vacancy on the Bernards Township School Board after Csilla Csipak resigned in May.

Nimish Amin, who has served on the board since 2023, did not file to run.

The candidate field includes two challengers: Adam Lefkowitz and Faisal Anwar Chaudhry.

Are you running for office in Basking Ridge? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Basking Ridge Patch.

Smrithi Mohan

Age: 40

Town of residence: Basking Ridge, NJ

Position sought: Board Member on the Bernards Township Board of Education

Family: My husband is VP of FP&A at Parabilis Medicines headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Our daughters, Heera (1st grade) and Ananya (Kindergarten), both attend Liberty Corner. My retired parents also live in Bernards Township.

Education: Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of Arkansas Bowen School of Law, final year at Brooklyn Law School (May 2011); Masters degree (ALM) in Business Management from Harvard University (May 2023)

Occupation: General Counsel at Awesome (SmugMug + Flickr)

Previous or current elected appointed office: Appointed in June 2025 to fill a vacancy as a Board Member on the BOE (appointment is through December 2025)

Campaign website: mohanlefkowitz.com

Why are you seeking election for Bernards Township Board of Education?

As a parent, alumna, and current board member, I care deeply about our schools and the community that helped shape me. I want every child here to have a truly exceptional, well-rounded education that prepares them for life, not just for tests. I’m running because I believe in thoughtful, non-political leadership that puts students and families first, and because I want to give back to the district that helped shape who I am today.

School finances and school budget difficulties have been continuously discussed in the district. The district has suggested holding a special election to help raise funding. Would you be in favor of this?

Our budget challenges are real and have a direct impact on students, staff, and our community. The Board has decided not to hold a special referendum this year. A referendum is a serious step that must be weighed carefully. If the community votes “no,” the Board is legally prevented from funding that specific item for a set period. In my view, a referendum isn’t just about community input, but it’s truly a last resort, only considered when we’ve exhausted all other options within our 2% cap and available rollovers from previous years.

Do you have any comments or suggestions on how the district could handle its budget?

We need to be creative and collaborative. As a sitting board member, we recognized a partnership with the Bernards Township Education Foundation (BTEF), which will be instrumental in helping supplement funding for key programs. I’m also a big believer in exploring other creative ways to fund the programs, educators, and resources we need to remain competitive. Above all, we must keep student outcomes at the center of every financial decision and be open with the community about our process. Some of our extraordinary offerings, like arts and extracurriculars, may require supplemental funding from creative sources like BTEF in the future, and I am willing to do the work to ensure this can happen.

The district recently implemented a phone-free policy in the high school. How do you feel about this?

I support the phone-free policy. All you have to do is look around and you can see how distracting phones can be. I think this is a positive step to help students focus, reduce anxiety, minimize opportunities for cyber-bullying, further expand their creativity, and build real connections during the school day. I’m glad the district is listening to feedback and willing to adjust as needed, but I think this is a move in the right direction for our kids.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the school district?

We need to keep our focus on academic excellence, but student mental health and making sure every student feels safe and included is essential. I’m also passionate about protecting arts, music, and extracurriculars. These are not “extras,” but essential parts of a well-rounded education and essential parts of a well-rounded education and what keeps Bernards Township schools among the best. I want every student to find their passion and feel supported, no matter their path.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

What sets me apart is that I am an alumna of the Bernards Township School District, then a parent, and now a BOE member. I have a perspective that no other candidate or other sitting board member has. I also bring a professional background in law, executive leadership, and governance. I’m collaborative, transparent, and solutions-oriented. In the short time since my appointment to the board in June, I have already helped move the district forward by supporting innovative partnerships like the BTEF and by always putting students first. I care deeply about this community and am committed to working with others to keep our schools among the best in New Jersey.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I’m proud to run a campaign focused on substance. My promise is simple: no chaos, no drama, just thoughtful, creative problem-solving for our kids and our community. I’m always available to listen and eager to work together to keep Bernards Township schools strong.