Cherry Hill School Board Election 2024: Samia Mian

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill has 10 candidates running for three positions on the Board of Education.

Patch sent questions to all candidates in the race and will publish responses as they're received. All candidate profiles will be re-shared closer to Election Day, which is Nov. 5.

Samia Mian, a school board candidate, sent Patch the following responses:

Samia Mian

• Age: 44
• Education: Medical Doctor from Ross University, Bachelors in Biological Sciences from University of California, Irvine.
• Occupation: Physician.
• Previous elected/appointed office: none.

What drove you to seek public office?

As a mother of 3 I began to be mindful of the school board procedures as my kids go through their schooling in Cherry Hill public schools. I recognized the impact of technology in our children's lives especially during the pandemic, importance of reading and arts education. I also believe that parental engagement in public schools can help student achievement and improve communication between the school administration and the community.

I am driven to advocate for meaningful ways to improve student achievement and holistic growth. Cherry Hill School District has been known for its academic excellence, unfortunately due to the pandemic, we are observing significant academic achievement gap in some of our communities. I believe that EVERY child regardless of capabilities and background can receive the tools to succeed in school. Overall I am committed to promoting inclusive policies for everyone.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As an effective physician leader and professor, my training and experience brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and perspectives that can fortify my role as a board member in the school district. By emphasizing holistic approach to well-being, data-driven decision-making, commitment to equity, and focus on continuous improvement, I am a unique and valuable candidate who is ready to make a significant impact on the education and lives of students in my community.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Cherry Hill Public Schools?

One of the biggest issues Cherry Hill District is facing is the decrease in financial support from the state. I am an advocate for ensuring that such cuts will not have any impact on educational programs that are vital for our students' progress. In addition, I will also advocate for teacher retention by implementing ways to improve engagement and satisfaction. We are aware of neighborhoods where the academic achievement gap is obviously visible. However, there's also a significant proportion of students who are unable to reach their maximum learning potential due to the impact of the pandemic on their social emotional learning. Such students do require an individualized support that can help them progress during these vital years. Another issue that I feel needs attention is the increase in Cherry Hill population in the coming years and lack of physical capacity to accommodate them in a complete fashion. We need to have a proactive plan that will allow timely and appropriate accommodation of children at all levels.

This year, Cherry Hill faced one of New Jersey’s biggest decreases in state equalization aid. What do you think are the best ways for the district to address reductions in state funding?

One of the most efficient way to address reduction in aid is to advocate for additional funding and have resource allocation.

This will include fair funding by working with state legislators, looking for alternative funding by engaging nonprofit organizations as well as private companies, and local businesses, expenditure evaluation and last but not the least community engagement to support referendum to local tax that directly benefits the schools.

What is your favorite thing about the Cherry Hill school system?

One of the things I love most about Cherry Hill is the sense of community created by the people who live here. There is a warm, welcoming spirit that makes it easy to connect and build relationships, making Cherry Hill a great place to live and raise a family.

Another aspect I appreciate is the rich culture we have here. Our town is home to a wonderfully diverse population, and this diversity is reflected in our schools, community events, and the variety of experiences we can enjoy.

Cherry Hill’s accessibility to so many resources is also something I value. We are fortunate to have an excellent library, parks and schools. Our proximity to major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. is a huge plus as well. Whether it's for work, travel, or just a quick day trip, having these cities within reach adds to the appeal of living here.