Marlboro Board Of Education Election 2026: Valentina Mendez

MARLBORO, NJ — Candidate Valentina Mendez is running for election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In November, Mendez will run for one of three open full-term seats on the board alongside Tara Barry and Anthony Di Capua, under the "Accountability, Commitment, Education" campaign.

The three will face off against Amy Bolowitz, who is running under the "Advancing Marlboro's Youth" campaign, Samantha Schnurr and Kostantinos Skordalos.

Chris Smith is also running for a two-year unexpired term on the board under the "Community, Character, Commitment" campaign against Cheryl Scuorzo, who is running under the "Accountability, Commitment, Education" campaign.

Ahead of the election, Patch posed several questions to Mendez about her campaign platform, experience and what sets her apart from other candidates running. Her replies are below.

Editor’s Note: The following article contains information about one of the candidates running for the Marlboro Board of Education in 2026. Responses are written as received by Patch and only edited for style.

Patch has contacted all other candidates in this race with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

Are you running for election in Marlboro? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Valentina Mendez

Age: Prefer not to answer
Town of Residence: Marlboro
Education: Prefer not to answer
Occupation: Finance

What drove you to seek public office?

As a mother of three children who have attended Marlboro schools, I have always believed that our children deserve the very best educational opportunities.

My involvement began as a parent volunteering in our schools and eventually led me to serve on the Board of Education. After completing my previous term, I realized that my passion for serving our students, families, and community was just as strong as ever.

I believe in giving back to a community that provides such wonderful opportunities for families, but more importantly, because I feel truly blessed to be part of it.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I bring firsthand experience serving on the Marlboro Board of Education, including as Board President, Board Vice President, and Policy Committee Chair. That experience gave me a strong understanding of board governance, fiscal oversight, and the importance of collaboration.

I understand that the board’s role is to establish policy, provide oversight, and hold the district accountable, while respecting the administration’s responsibility for daily operations. I also bring the perspective of a parent whose children have experienced our schools firsthand.

I believe in asking thoughtful questions, listening to different perspectives, and making decisions based on what is best for our students and community.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?

During my three years on the Board of Education, I served as Board President, Board Vice President, and chaired the Policy Committee for two years, reviewing approximately 100 policies that help guide our district. I worked collaboratively with fellow board members and district leadership on a variety of matters, including but not limited to student well-being, district policies, and fiscal responsibility.

In addition, both before and during my time on the board, I spent five years serving on PTO/PTA executive boards at the elementary and middle schools in Marlboro that my children attended.

These experiences have given me a valuable understanding of our schools from both a parent’s and a board member’s perspective, reinforcing my commitment to thoughtful, informed decision-making.

If elected, what will be your top priorities in your new role?

My priorities will center on accountability, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and ensuring that our students receive a high-quality education.

With changing levels of state aid, I believe responsible budgeting and long-term financial stability are especially important. I will advocate for age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction, meaningful parental engagement, and a positive, respectful learning environment.

I also believe that civility and collaboration are essential to effective board leadership. Even when opinions differ, we must remain focused on our shared responsibility to the students and families we serve.

Name one thing about Marlboro that always makes you smile.

The sense of community. I love seeing families come together to support our schools, celebrate our children, and participate in community events.

Whether it’s a school performance, a sporting event, or even spending time with neighbors, there is something truly special about the pride people take in being part of Marlboro.

It’s a community where families genuinely care, and it’s one of the reasons I’m so grateful to call Marlboro home.