Election 2024: Natasha Crossan For Mendham Township School Board

MENDHAM, NJ — Election Day is almost here, and Mendham voters will soon head to the polls to cast their votes for open seats on the local school board.

Residents in the Mendhams will see choices for their K-8 school districts on the ballot, including current members running for re-election and any challengers.

There are no borough or township candidates for the West Morris Regional High School District, as those seats are not up for re-election this year.

Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates, seeking their responses. Here is the response from candidate Natasha Crossan.

Natasha Crossan

• Age: 42
• Town of residence: Mendham Township
• Education: B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania; CFA® charterholder since 2009
• Occupation: Finance professional—formerly a Partner in an international equity firm

What drove you to seek public office?

I am action oriented and I value community service. As I have gotten to know our school district over the last seven years, I have seen how much our teachers support our kids and the school community. Inspired by their deep commitment, I have regularly sought opportunities to help. I have volunteered at annual events like Field Day, chaperoned field trips, and taken on longer-term commitments like PTO Treasurer and Girl Scout Troop Leader.

Most recently, I've invested time in learning the role of the school board and I am confident that this is an area I can add value. It is important that the 7-member board leverage a wide variety of skill sets and perspectives. My primary motivation for seeking office at this time is that there is no current board member with children in both the elementary and middle schools. I have a 7th grader, a 4th grader, and a 1st grader. I am uniquely positioned in this moment to be both highly familiar with the current curriculum, dynamics, and issues facing our school community, and to be invested for many years to come.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am the only mom, and, as mentioned above, the only candidate with children in both the elementary and middle school. I have also had the benefit of experiencing numerous school districts over the course of my own public education. As the child of an Air Force serviceman, I moved many times including attending three high schools in three different states! This experience taught me that flexibility and a willingness to listen and learn are infinitely more productive than self-interest and a preplanned course of action.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing the school board in Mendham Township?

Rising costs are likely the most sweeping issue facing the school board. Our schools have welcomed numerous new students over the last few years, and increased enrollment leads to increased costs. There are also ever-rising healthcare costs and the dynamic state funding formula that require us to be creative, nimble, and decisive in order to continue to deliver the highest-quality education fairly and equitably across all students, while utilizing tax dollars efficiently.

Thrifty by nature, and a taxpayer myself, I am inclined to take an analytical approach to budgetary decisions and ensure the board continues to make smart investments into our professionals, infrastructure, resources, etc. Further, my professional background in finance and investment management and my successful completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst program both demonstrate my financial literacy.

How much does COVID learning loss and school security impact your plans?

I plan to support the administration in its efforts to proactively address the impact of COVID learning loss. We are fortunate as a district to have seen less impact than other districts in this regard, but that doesn't mean there are no gaps. I support the individual and group initiatives that continue to be pursued to make sure that the district motto of "Every Student, Every Day" is upheld. From a school security perspective, I once again support the administration's efforts to continue to work with the Mendham Township Police Department to ensure that our schools are as safe as they can possibly be for students and teachers.

What is your favorite thing about the township schools?

My favorite thing about the Mendham Township schools is the incredible access to thoughtful teachers and staff. Over the course of seven years and with three children enrolled, I have experienced everything from cheerful kindergarten year-end programs to laborious math fact fluency tests to the throes of a global pandemic. Throughout all of this, I have communicated with many different teachers and staff within both schools and the culture of care, professionalism, and true attention to the students has astounded me time and again. I would be honored to serve as a school board member and take on more responsibility within our remarkable community.