East Brunswick Board Of Education General Election 2025: Neal Shah

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Seven candidates are seeking to fill three spots on the East Brunswick Board of Education this November.

Meanwhile, three candidates are running for the one-year unexpired term.

Anna Braun, Kimberly Conetta, Maria Mueller, Heather Guas, Liwu Hong, Neal Shah and Marianne Tanious are running for a three-year term. Braun, Guas, Hong, and Tanious are incumbents.

For the one-year-unexpired term seat, which is on the ballot due to the resignation of Laurie Lachs, three candidates have filed their nominations – Antoinette Evola, Mary Petersen and Jeffrey M. Winston.

Patch sent out a questionnaire to all candidates seeking a seat on the BOE. The profiles will be published as received.

Are you running for office in East Brunswick? Contact Sarah Salvadore at sarah.salvadore@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.

Neal Shah

Age: 51

Town of Residence: East Brunswick

Family: Married with two children; residents for over 21 years

Education: MBA in Finance and Supply Chain Management, Rutgers University; BS in Economics and Finance, University of Cincinnati

Occupation: Marketing Executive at Verizon; Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Previous or Current Elected/Appointed Office: None. I have served the community through youth sports leadership, volunteer programs, and civic engagement initiatives across East Brunswick.

Why are you seeking a seat on the BOE?

Our schools are at a turning point with new leadership, financial pressures, and evolving student needs. I am running to bring accountability, transparency, and sound financial management to the Board. My running mate and I have developed a 20-point plan designed to improve communication, strengthen fiscal oversight, and expand opportunities for students. Every part of that plan focuses on ensuring that every dollar supports students, teachers, and programs that maintain East Brunswick’s reputation for excellence.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I bring 25 years of corporate leadership, compliance, and financial management experience, combined with a strong record of community service. What sets me apart is that my campaign is built around a detailed 20-point plan, a practical roadmap that outlines immediate and measurable steps to improve district operations, transparency, and student outcomes. I focus on results, clear communication, and follow-through.

What, according to you, is the biggest issue facing the school district?

Fiscal management and trust. With state aid cuts and rising costs, residents want confidence that their tax dollars are being used wisely. Our 20-point plan includes financial accountability measures that call for more public transparency, regular spending reviews, and clear communication of where funds go. We also need to ensure that our one employee, the superintendent, is fully supported and held accountable. Her superintendent report should go beyond school updates and include a financial health check, progress on deliverables, and updates on the budget process, including any state aid impacts.

Are you happy with the way the district has handled state aid cuts and budget issues? What would be your approach?

We need a more proactive and transparent approach. Instead of short-term fixes, the focus should be on long-term planning that protects classroom funding and controls expenses. My 20 point plan includes detailed steps to review vendor contracts, explore shared service opportunities, and communicate openly with residents about financial decisions. The superintendent should provide the Board and the community with regular updates on district finances, deliverables, and the impact of any state aid changes. The goal is to maintain educational quality without putting additional strain on taxpayers.

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

Our 20-point plan identifies key areas for improvement, including:

• Expanding vocational, arts, and STEM opportunities

• Upgrading and maintaining facilities responsibly

• Improving communication between the district and parents

• Ensuring equitable access to extracurriculars and academic support

• Strengthening superintendent accountability and reporting on measurable goals and outcomes

What, according to you, is the one thing the district has been most successful in doing this past year?

Historically, East Brunswick has been known for academic excellence. Our teachers and students have always performed at a high level, which reflects their talent and dedication. However, we are beginning to slip from that high standard, and it is time to get back to it. Our 20 point plan lays out a path to rebuild academic momentum by focusing on curriculum innovation, measurable outcomes, and stronger support for both educators and students. The superintendent plays a key role in this effort and must lead with clear, measurable progress updates to keep us on track.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I bring professional experience, financial expertise, and a long history of community involvement. More importantly, I come with a 20 point plan that my running mate and I will put into action from day one. It is a detailed, structured plan focused on accountability, collaboration, and improving outcomes for students and families while ensuring the superintendent is guided, supported, and held accountable to the district’s goals.