Election 2022: Joyce Mehta For South Brunswick Board Of Education

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Current Board president Joyce Mehta is seeking another term on the South Brunswick Board of Education.

As a Board member, Mehta says she refuses to “blindly rubber stamp decisions,” and hopes to maintain “checks and balances.”

Subscribe

Below is her candidate profile.

(All candidates were given the same questions. Answers are candidates' own.)

Editor's Note: Patch sent out the questionnaire to each candidate's email address provided by the County clerk's office. All responses received will be published between now and Nov. 8 general election. Local candidates who did not receive the questionnaire from Patch can contact sarah.salvadore@patch.com.

Name: Joyce Mehta

Age: 55 years

Town of residence: Dayton, South Brunswick

Position sought: Member, South Brunswick Board of Education

Family: Husband, two daughters and extended family

Education: BA (Hons.) Law

Occupation: Solicitor (UK)- Not practicing

Previous or current elected appointed office: South Brunswick BOE President

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Mehta4BOE

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

I am running for School Board because I am a passionate, fearless advocate whose goal is to represent students and foster community, unity and equity within this school district . In addition, I am a key stakeholder in South Brunswick, with two daughters who have been educated in our schools. I ran for the board to make a difference, to act as a voice for students and parents in our community. Board members are responsible for maintaining checks and balances, questioning district or state policies and procedures, asking difficult questions, and voting for policies in line with the community’s needs.

South Brunswick saw its funding cut by more than $1.7 million in 2022-23. What do you plan do to ensure no services are affected?

South Brunswick School District has an excellent reputation in the field of academics, sport, music and much more- indispensable programs much needed for our students, which we must retain at all cost. To ensure that services are not drastically affected we must address following: Identify the root cause, determine how the funding cut was analyzed, understand what types of metrics were used to determine funding, analyze and learn from similar districts, appeal if there are any anomalies. In addition, we must examine our budget to reduce expenses as well as look for opportunities for other funding sources.

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

In 2020, the New Jersey State Board of Education adopted the revised Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Standards section of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). These standards were intended to take effect in 2021, however, the implementation was delayed until the 2022-2023 school year as a result of the pandemic. It is important to note that these standards do not mandate any specific curriculum. They provide information on what students are expected to learn, and guidance for individual districts to develop curricula that is age-appropriate and that reflect the values of the community I believe that parents are our most important partners in education, and welcome parental input and communication. I fully support transparency and open communication and exchanging ideas. We need to build a strong collaborative relationship to support the best interests of the students. The standards address topics that students should know about, including personal growth and development; pregnancy and parenting; emotional health; community health services and support; physical fitness; nutrition; diseases and medicine; alcohol, tobacco and drugs dependency, and treatment. Concerns have arisen about resource documents that have been made available in some districts. Those resources are not mandated by the state and are not required to be part of any district’s curriculum. On Wednesday, April 13, Gov. Philip Murphy directed the New Jersey Department of Education to review the standards and “provide further clarification on what age-appropriate guidelines look like for our students.” In New Jersey, parents have had the right to opt out of the family life curriculum for their children since 1980, when N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7, the Parents Right to Conscience Act, took effect. While I fully support the intentions from the DOE of empowering female students to be encouraged to pursue STEM related subjects and foster gender equality, as a mother I am deeply concerned that some of these subjects may not be age appropriate; at an age we need to teach the youngest students basic skills, such as communication, reading and writing. Their health education should revolve around germ theory, and washing their hands. Parents have a right to be fully informed, and they should decide the best course of action for their child, to opt out if that is their decision. The district has scheduled a Parent Academy on Nov. 15, to provide parents with better information and option choices.

What according to you is the biggest issue facing the school district currently?

The district excels beyond the NJ state average and continues to flourish with its diverse population, exceptional students, staff and families. South Brunswick School District has approximately 8,200 students. However with around 10 percent of students either with disability or economically disadvantaged their needs cannot be met without financial funding and support. Not only have federal funds been cut, but the much-needed Mental Health Resources including our incredible BRIDGE Program may soon be eliminated. We need to prioritize funding for these programs to help support our students and our incredible staff.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

The few things that sets me apart from others are: I, as a Board Member, refuse to blindly rubber stamp decisions and my track record speaks for itself. I believe that our duty is to maintain checks and balances of the school district, to ask tough questions, request for information and to vote with your conscience in the best interests of all students and for our district I sit proudly on the NJ School Boards Association Equity Council, and as a Board Of Directors as a Delegate for Middlesex County I have successfully advocated for the revision of curriculum content at the middle schools, to reduce offensive literature. I have successfully advocated for mental health needs and student stress by implementing home-work free holidays, and critical developments to support these needs I have gained invaluable experience in all committees including curriculum, policy, facilities, shared services, budget. I also Chair the Negotiations Committee - a position which helps me to better understand the issues and processes for the wonderful staff in our school district I am a key stakeholder in South Brunswick, with a daughter who is still in our high school. I am passionate and a fearless advocate of equality and unity and will always put the interest of our students, parents and our teachers above everything else.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I am qualified as a lawyer from London, England who has lived in South Brunswick for the past 17 years. My connection with our schools began when my daughters were in elementary school, when I was an active PTO member, classroom parent, chaperone and volunteer for many activities including the book fair. My journey began when I started to advocate for mental health and stress at the BOE- leading to a white paper policy, homework free holidays and increased professional development. To date, mental health, stress & anxiety is my biggest concern and plays a role in every decision made, including Late Start Times for students. A group of devoted mothers and I formed the very first WhatsApp group called Equity In Education to exchange school information and to support families. I proudly serve as the BOE Liaison to the South Brunswick Commission On Women raising awareness for domestic violence and empowering women’s rights .I have been an active member of the Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, creating awareness of underage drinking and driving through the billboards across town. I serve on the South Brunswick Township Lions Club, now also as a Guiding Lion; where we help support the blind and humanitarian causes. I have continuously advocated for a “Safe To Say” culture, to support anonymous reporting of sensitive issues and to enable safer schools. Community is always the heart of what I do, and I am proud to serve especially as the First Indian American Woman to be elected as President of the South Brunswick BOE.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com