Deborah D’Urso Mendham Borough School Board Candidate

MENDHAM, NJ — The Mendham Borough Board of Education has a contested election on Nov. 2, with four candidates who filed to run for three available, three-year seats.

One of those candidates is Deborah D’Urso.

The other candidates on the ballot for a three-year seat include:

• Sean Havey
• Cristin Adinolfi
• AnneMarie Hornyak

Editor's Note: Are you a candidate on the ballot? Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the General Election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) may contact jennifer.miller@patch.com.

Below are D’Urso’s responses:

Name: Deborah D’Urso

Town of residence: Mendham Borough

Position sought: Mendham Borough Board of Education

Family: Husband - Joseph Son - Robert and Daughter-in-law - Rosemary Grandchildren - Thomas and Emily Son - Matthew and Daughter-in-law - Katie Grandson - Luke

Education: BA; MEd; Certified School Administrator

Occupation: Retired Principal of K-6 Elementary School

Previous or current elected appointed office:
currently Member of Mendham Borough Joint Land Use Board
former Member of Board of Trustees of Mendham Township Library
former Member and President of Mendham Township Board of Education
former President of Mendham Cooperative Nursery School

Why are you seeking to run for school board?
As a tax payer and Grandmother of two Hilltop Elementary School students, I want to help make Mendham Borough Schools the best schools in the area, without excess spending and higher taxes. I believe in HIGHER EXPECTATIONS NOT HIGHER TAXES. Being a retired Educator, Administrator and Board Member, I have the time and expertise to make this happen.

What is your stance on masks in schools?
I prefer that the Students not wear masks. However, I feel that children benefit from being in school so as long as the CDC and State mandate masks, I will abide by their ruling.

Should schools offer a virtual option?
Again I feel that students benefit most by being in a classroom but a virtual option should be offered if a child has to be quarantined.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district?
The Borough schools are very good but students should be achieving at their highest possible levels. I feel there is an opportunity for improvement, as documented by the recently released US News and World report and the latest NJ State test results.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?
The combination of my experiences as an Educator (certified LDTC and Speech Pathologist), Principal of a high achieving K-6 Elementary School (600 students) and my administrative experiences on the Board of Education and Library Board. I understand the relationships between board members, professional staff and community and have successfully managed these roles.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?
While campaigning I have been very pleased to have met and connected with other interested citizens.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.