Scott Bohm: Clark School Board Candidate

CLARK, NJ — The Clark Township School Board has seven candidates vying for three seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 2.

Incumbent Scott Bohm is one of the candidates running for re-election. The other candidates include:

• Kristen Hickman
• Robert Smorol - incumbent
• Dino Bencivenga - incumbent
• Corey McGuire (Stand For Students)
• Erik Jacobsen (Stand For Students)
• Diana Caamano Gonzalez (Stand For Students)

All of the candidates are running for the three, three-year seats on the board.

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

Scott Bohm

Name: Scott Bohm

Age: 58

Town of residence: Clark NJ (over 20 years)

Position sought: Clark NJ Board of Education

Family: (spouse) Wyatt Bohm (son), Ryan Bohm (son), Tyler Bohm (son), and Dylan Bohm (son)

Education: Kean University - BA in Public Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

Occupation: Director Ops and BDM of Entrance Control for ZK Teco USA

Previous or current elected appointed office: Clark Board of Education (Finance Committee member, Athletics Committee member, Chair of Policy committee, Security & Grounds member/Union Negotiations Team Leader/Buildings & Grounds Committee member.

Why are you seeking to run for school board? To continue the focus of creating a long-term sustainable plan that includes:

1. quality of education
2. active support for our faculty and staff
3. fiscal responsibility
4. encouragement and opportunities for parent participation in their child’s education, school culture and future

What is your stance on masks in schools? Masks should parent choice; although, we are required by law to follow Governor's mandate

Should schools offer a virtual option? In-person classroom instruction is always the first choice of the Clark School District. Virtual options should be an option in circumstances that are necessary or required. This is the decision of the Superintendent of Schools, Union County Superintendent, DOE, and or the Governor.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? Evaluating the educational gap that started at the beginning of COVID-19 to now. We need to address the social/emotional and learning effects on the students during the remote schooling. Making the necessary adjustments in Guidance Department support and additional educational services needed.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? I have been a resident of Clark for over 20 years. My wife Lois (educator – supervisor language arts) and I have raised four boys in Clark, all having gone through the Clark School system achieving success academically, athletically and are contributing members of Clark. We supported four-year colleges (NJIT & FDU) along with Union County College. One of our sons is a graduate of NJIT (Mechanical Engineering), one serving the United States Marine Corps (Crash, Fire, Rescue) and the other two serving the US Navy (Nuclear program and the other a Seabees). I had run the Clark Wrestling program for over 10 years, started and ran the Field of Dreams for Special Needs Children of Clark for eight years through Clark Wrestling, ALJ Wrestling Club for six years, ALJ Booster Club for six years, and serving the residents of Clark as a proud Board of Education Member for six years. My life career has given me unique experiences that benefit the Clark Schools from Education, Asset management, financial auditing, and physical security.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign? Our future lies with the generation of the young. Teachers faculty and staff are a vital part of Clark Schools success and the future.