Anne Mernin Resigns From Montclair School Board

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Anne Mernin, a familiar face in the Montclair school community, announced her resignation from the board of education earlier this week.

Mernin made her announcement during the Montclair Board of Education’s Jan. 8 meeting. She said “untrue attacks” on herself and her family were behind her decision to resign.

“My child’s educational privacy was publicly and repeatedly violated,” Mernin said. “As a parent, I have no choice but to take my child out of harm’s way.”

Several of her peers on the board offered statement of support and said they were sorry to see her depart. Watch video footage of the meeting.

Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson appointed Mernin to the board in 2013.

On Friday, Jackson released a statement about Mernin's resignation, saying he was "honored" to appoint and reappoint her. The mayor wrote:

"Ironically, Anne became the victim of an unkind and anything-but-gentle individual or cabal, leveling allegations involving residency, property taxes, and, most appallingly, her child. The allegations were presented to me via an email in late 2019 (from "Whistleblower") and repeated this month (from "Whistleblower/LauraLyn"). As I am required to do, I presented the allegations to our Law Department and the Board of Education. The allegations were investigated and proven to be without merit then and now."

Jackson continued:

"As public officials, we, unfortunately, have to accept vitriol, rude/crude behavior, baseless allegations, etc. as coming with the territory. This "given" notwithstanding, involving Anne's daughter in the matter is cruel and gratuitous. Being unhappy with Anne's performance, educational philosophy, or collegiality on the Board can never justify hurting a child. Moreover, revealing the details of a child's education status in this circumstance is a violation of Federal Law. According to the Whistleblower, Anne's seeking what she believes to be the best educational strategy for her child is an abuse of power (as a Board of Education member) and a diversion of funds from minority students. I have two reactions: BOE members are not required to forfeit their parental responsibilities and Anne's child is African American."

Jackson concluded:

"Prior to any of these allegations, Anne advised me that she preferred to step down from the Board at the end of her term this Spring in order to focus her attention on the many other aspects of her life and to allow fresh faces to emerge. How sad that she had to leave early to protect her family! How reprehensible that the right decision by Anne is the result of all the wrong reasons! Thank you, Anne, for your service on the Board of Education and for your selfless, tireless commitment to Montclair."

According to the district’s website, Mernin is a “major contributor to the Montclair community,” particularly in the public schools, having served as PTA President of Bullock School (2011-2012), PTA Council member and SEPAC liaison. She is also known in the community for her work with Toni's Kitchen, a local food pantry and outreach service.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Mernin also holds a teaching certificate from Bloomfield College. She is currently the Director of Outreach for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Montclair. Previously, she has served as V.P., Project Management Office, Societe Generale, Management Consultant for Coopers & Lybrand and V.P., Citicorp Investment Bank.

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