Timothy John Mehl: Scotch Plains School Board Candidate

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The Scotch Plains School Board has six candidates vying for three seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 2.

Timothy J. Mehl, Jr., who is running under the slogan "For Our Kids", is one of the candidates running.

The other candidates include:

• David Levine
• Karen Kulikowski - incumbent
• Tonya Y. Williams - incumbent
• Debora Brody - incumbent
• Michael R. Gromek - running under the slogan "Achievement, Community, Tradition"

All of the candidates are running for the three, three-year seats on the board.

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

Timothy J. Mehl, Jr.

Name: Legal name is Timothy John Mehl - I have gone by John all my life

Age: 38

Town of residence: Scotch Plains

Position sought: Scotch Plains Board of Education

Family: Married with 2 Daughters, 7 & 10 years old

Education: Grew up in Erie PA, attended catholic high school at Mercyhurst Prep, graduated from RIT in Rochester NY with a BS in New Media Publishing and Environmental science

Occupation: I’ve worked for Vangaurd Direct since 2006 - currently the Director of Sales, focusing on selling Marketing communication & Technology solutions.

Previous or current elected appointed office: none - Serve on the board for PSDA and industry association

Why are you seeking to run for school board? To be involved with the community I care so greatly for. To help the current board with the communication needs.

What is your stance on masks in schools? First, I’d defer to Dr. Levine who can speak to that scientifically. However, I don’t think that the kids wear masks properly where it would provide them ample protection. But, with the current state of infection (as of 9-21-21) and the fact that vaccines aren’t available for kids under 12 years old, if it takes masks on kids to get them in school full time, then I comply. We also don’t yet know the psychological or developmental effects of masking children, so I would prefer to put in place other safe guards to get the kids un masked as soon as possible. For example, vaccines, spacing, barriers.

Should schools offer a virtual option? Only for medical exceptions - not COVID related

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? Better, more timely communications. Transparent policies based on objective metrics.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? I bring over 15 years of experience in effective communications, which would help the district achieve a better relationship with the community. The district hired a communications consultant in 2020 and promised results in early 2021 - which we haven’t seen yet. They are now extending the contract with the agency, I can fill that void without additional funds from the township.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign? I’m running in tandem with Dr. David Levine and Mike Gromek - the three of us are running under the campaign slogan of Science, Communication, Safety. I organized this after nominating petitions were filed separately. This shows my ability to bring people together for a positive impact on our community. Dr. Levine represents Science, as he is local, respected Pediatrician. Myself for Communications, and Mike Gromek for Safety, as he is a local Police officer. Together we represent three important pillars to any school board.