School Board Candidate Debate Planned For Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Old Farmers Road School PTO is hosting a public forum tonight for Washington Township Board of Education candidates running in the town’s 2023 school election.

The elementary school's PTO recently announced details of the forum, which will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Valley View Chapel, which is located at 115 East Mill Road.

This year, six people have filed petitions seeking election to the Washington Township Board of Education, according to the Morris County Clerk's office.

Here is the list of candidates:

• John R. Oldmixon – Excellence In Education
• Isabel Vieira – Excellence In Education
• Jennifer Ryan – Excellence In Education
• Marisa Baker – For Public Education
• Cynthia McConnell – For Public Education
• Laura Wengel – For Public Education

Current board members Jason Koestenblatt, Jill Mucerino, and Stephanie Wilson, whose terms all expire this December, did not file for re-election.

According to the treasurer of the Old Farmers Road School PTO, the two candidates for West Morris Central Regional High School District will be allowed a few minutes each before the forum to speak about themselves and their program.

The local school board makes important community decisions such as hiring administrators and handling property tax money. Until 2012, all school boards held elections in April, when a state law was passed allowing districts to switch to the November general election.