Millburn School Board Candidate Profile: Gyan Mishra

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn residents have a big choice to make in November: who will serve on the board of education?

Millburn is among the New Jersey towns holding a school board contest as part of the 2026 general election. Seven candidates have filed to run for three open seats on the Millburn Board of Education, including Gyanprakash (Gyan) Mishra.

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Mishra, 45, recently shared some background with Patch about his qualifications and plans if elected. Learn more about his campaign here.

PATCH: What qualifications and background make you a good fit for the position?

GYAN MISHRA: My passion for serving this community drives everything I do. I have proven community leadership, and a data-driven professional background in the financial tech industry.

Six years ago, my family chose Millburn specifically for its incredible community spirit. With my daughter now a freshman in high school and my son in 7th grade, my commitment to our schools is deeply personal. I have actively served multiple terms on the school PTO board at both South Mountain Elementary School and now at Millburn Middle School. I coached my daughter's recreational basketball team, managed my son's soccer team at Millburn Soccer Club for two years, and worked directly alongside parents and teachers to support our students. Professionally, I lead data risk technology in the Fintech industry. I intend to leverage this analytical, results-oriented background to bring accountability and balanced decision-making to our school board.

PATCH: What are your plans if elected?

GYAN MISHRA: If elected, my immediate plan is to implement a comprehensive "Parents Raising Outcomes" (P.R.O.) agenda that restores academic balance, elevates enrichment, and establishes parent-board collaboration in Millburn Schools.

My action plan focuses on three clear, measurable initiatives during my term:

Rebalancing Classroom Technology

Active Oversight & Thoughtful Policy: Build on the district’s ongoing tech audit by ensuring it translates into real, actionable limits on daily screen exposure and redundant learning apps.

Protect Foundational Learning: Establish clear guardrails—including no generative AI for grades K–8—while reprioritizing pencil-and-paper math, physical books, and handwriting to protect cognitive focus.

In-School Enrichment & Career Prep

Holistic Student Growth: Pair proactive digital safety and anti-bullying education with expanded career mentoring, mock interviews, and summer internship opportunities.

Competitive & Team Tracks: Expand district-wide enrichment—from Math Kangaroo and Science Olympiad to Robotics, Speech & Debate, Model UN, and DECA/FBLA—ensuring students at every stage build confidence and real-world skills.

Streamlining District Communication

Sustained K–12 Parent Collaboration: Evolve elementary PTO engagement into meaningful advisory and support networks through middle and high school.

Centralized District Information Hub: Move beyond overflowing email inboxes and fragmented chats by establishing a single, easy-to-navigate portal for district announcements, school updates, and vital schedules.

PATCH: What is one thing about the Millburn school district that always makes you smile?

GYAN MISHRA: Without a doubt, it is the community spirit, especially during Millburn Miller sports games. Watching our soccer and basketball teams unite while parents cheer unconditionally always makes my day and makes me proud of this community. Additionally, the middle school's Peer Leader program has thoroughly impressed me, and South Mountain Elementary events like SMS Got Talent, Family picnics and Strawberry festival never fail to bring a smile to my family's faces.

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