Election 2022: Moorestown School Board Candidate Brooke Mailhiot

MOORESTOWN, NJ — In the 2022 general election, residents of South Jersey will be voting for state and local officials. Patch has asked candidates in contested races to answer profiles about their campaigns.

Here is the candidate profile for Brooke Mailhiot, running for the Moorestown Board of Education.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the Nov. 8 general election. Local candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Michelle.Rotuno-Johnson@patch.com.

Name: Dr. Brooke Mailhiot

Age: 42

Town of Residence: Moorestown, NJ

Position Sought: 1 Year Moorestown Board of Education Seat

Family: Wesley (husband); Chase (son), 9, and Reese (daughter), 8

Education: ED.D. in Educational Leadership and Management; M.S. in Creativity and Innovation; and B.S. in Film and Video Production–all earned at Drexel University.

Occupation: Program Chair and Professor, Entertainment Technologies at Rowan College at Burlington County

What previous or current elected/appointed offices have you held?

Current President, Moorestown Jewish Association (2022), RCBC Instructional Affairs Council (2018-Present), Chairperson RCBC DEI Women’s Advocacy Group (2021-Present)

Why are you seeking to run for the school board?

I have two young children in the Moorestown school system. I want to serve our town's families and be instrumental in decisions that will support an educational environment that allows all our children to flourish, achieve and thrive. I look forward to helping develop a vision for the future of our schools.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

• Leadership
  • I have a strong background in educational leadership and organizational change. I can view situations from multiple perspectives and assist in affecting change.
• Education
  • I’m a forward-thinking visionary who will foster communication and collaboration between the community and the Board of Education.

• Communication
  • My background enables me to communicate effectively with all groups and individuals. I present daily to a diverse population of college students and colleagues and promote open, important conversations.
• Volunteering and Fundraising
  • I’m a proud member of the Moorestown Home and School Association: I serve as the social media content creator–providing up-to-date information about our schools to our community; I chair successful events to raise money; and volunteer as often as possible.

What is your stance on the sexual education curriculum that Gov. Murphy put forth earlier this year?

I support the superintendent and school board’s decision that gives parents the right to keep their children out of classes presenting information they'd rather discuss privately at home.

What would have been some of your important considerations if you had been on the board during the recent negotiations with the Moorestown Education Association?

As a member of the NJEA myself, I understand the importance of contract negotiations and hearing both sides of a situation. I commend the members of the community–including students–and the board for doing a fantastic job facilitating a new MEA contract. I look forward to sharing my arbitrational journeys and supporting our teachers and their continued commitment to our schools and children’s education.

What is the essential issue in your district, and how do you intend to address it?

Security. Unfortunately, today’s climate demands that we provide a safer and more secure environment for our children. In 2017, I experienced a parent's fear when my children’s preschool received a bomb threat. I will work diligently to ensure no parent has to fear for their child’s well-being while in a Moorestown school.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in your school district that have not been discussed already, and how would you tackle these?

Space. In the near future, Moorestown will be in an expansion phase and will need to address the need for more classrooms, staff…everything. I look forward to putting together creative solutions to accommodate the additional students.