Bridgewater-Raritan Board Of Education Profile: John-Paul Levin

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School Board has four candidates vying for two seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 3.

John-Paul Levin is one of the candidates running. Other candidates include Barry R. Walker, Jessica Levitt, and Scott Mihalick, who are all running for the two, three-year seats on the board.

Chingchaun "Jean" Lee is running unopposed for the one, one-year unexpired term. Lucretia "Lucy" Sandler is also running unopposed for the one, three-year seat representing Raritan.

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

John-Paul Levin

1. Why are running for Board of Education?

My campaign is founded on three pillars: transparency, accountability, and responsibility. As a result of my previous experience with the BOE and local government, I understand that it is the absence of honest leadership that holds a community back. We need to look no further than the debate over school start times to see how our incredible school district has been put at risk by those who wish to ignore the basic demands of honest, responsible leadership that our community should expect. Now is the time to be investing in our schools in a responsible way, from athletic facilities to curriculum development, new technologies to wellness and college counseling, and smarter security to the best teachers and staff. Our District has a history of excellence, but that does not mean we are too great for improvement. This community deserves transparent, accountable, and responsible leaders on the BOE who have first-hand experience necessary to know how our students and the greater community can become even better. Put in other words: transparency matters.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I am a husband, father, son, and entrepreneur. Aside from my business travels, I have resided in Bridgewater for 39 years. After starting my first business in 1990, I was appointed as the head coach of the Princeton University equestrian team in 1999 and later led two high-performance equestrian rider/trainer and product companies. Now, I work in social awareness marketing and fundraising with a focus on chronic diseases and athletes. On my mother's side, I am a first-generation American. My mother, Ursula, was born and raised in Mexico from German-Mexican parents. Throughout my childhood, I was exposed to a variety of cultural backgrounds, helping to develop my moral compass and proficiency in English, Spanish, and German. I was born in Bridgewater but spent every Saturday and Sunday at my father's business on the corner of Hamilton and Main Streets in Bound Brook: Peters Jewelers and Gift Shop. During my time in Bound Brook, I was appointed to the Bound Brook Economic Development Advisory Committee and Planning Board, and elected to the Bound Brook Borough Council. Since then, I have been a member of the Somerset County Library Commission, Somerset-Morris County Chronic Disease Coalition, and am currently a member of the Bridgewater Economic Development Committee. I am married to my wife, Carolyn, and we have a son (10th grade) and daughter (8th grade) in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

3. The single most pressing issue facing our school district is ____ and this is what I intend to do about it:

As a lifelong entrepreneur, former commissioner of the Somerset County Library System, former member of the Bound Brook Borough Council, and current member of the Bridgewater Economic Development Committee, I know that the single most pressing issue facing all of our governing bodies, the BOE included, is budget management. Since 2016-17, the BOE’s tax levy has increased by over 13 percent to $146, 817, 259. In return, however, taxpayers have seen very little: no A/C in most classrooms, rationed Chromebooks at BRHS, and now, virtual "learning" until October. To ensure that the BOE does not continue to hemorrhage taxpayer funds on financially irresponsible initiatives like the proposed delay in school start times, my first action on the BOE would be to go through the District budget, line by line, and ask the tough questions: Why are we paying for this? What benefit has it provided us? Have we sought out competitive bids? How are we tracking our results? If I am elected to the BOE, I will champion the same careful use of taxpayer funds that I have demonstrated throughout my years of public service. If our District's budget is managed appropriately, we should have no serious challenge repairing and improving our neglected facilities infrastructure, as well as providing for the extra things that will keep students and staff safe during COVID-19 learning. The BOE needs new leaders who can make sure our budget is responsible, planned with contingencies, and most of all, one that does not constantly require tax increases.

4. What are other issues you would like to see addressed in the school district?

In addition to repairing our facilities and making smart investments in technology, I believe that the school must be mindful of its curriculum development. A District of our size and excellence must offer the best curriculum to our students, one that excites students about learning and that provides opportunities for further exploration. Throughout my life, I have seen firsthand that diversity is one of the United States’ greatest strengths, and I believe this diversity should be reflected in our curriculum. As a first-generation, USA-born son of Mexican-German parents, I am part of the incredible diversity of our melting pot and have used the experiences I have had to animate my public service. Indeed, for my leadership within the Hispanic community, I was even recognized by a resolution of the NJ State Senate. For this reason, I am in full support of listening to students, parents, and teachers to ascertain where our curriculum can improve and become more inclusive of diverse voices. Nevertheless, we must be cautious and thoughtful as we consider making changes, especially regarding the politicization of our children's’ education. School is a place of learning, where we teach our children not only academics, but how to be good, honest citizens of 21st century America. This requires a fact-based, robust curriculum, and that is what I will support if elected to the BOE.