Candidate With 'No Mask' Slogan In Westfield School Board Race

WESTFIELD, NJ — Seven candidates filed by the deadline Monday afternoon to run for three seats on the Westfield Board of Education on Nov. 2 — including a candidate whose slogan is simply "No Mask."

Gov. Phil Murphy already said last month that the state itself won't require students to wear masks as a COVID precaution in fall, but that he will allow each district can make its own decision. However, the guidance regarding masking is constantly evolving, and recently has changed in some states and cities as cases of the Delta variant rise. READ MORE: No Mask Mandate For NJ Students This Fall

(Westfield's mayor recently released the percentage of teens in town who are vaccinated: READ MORE: What Percent Of Westfield Teens Are COVID Vaccinated?)

Four other school board candidates are distinguishing themselves with slogans in the race.

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The school board candidates are:

• Emily Barker
• Robert H. Benacchio: "For Our Families"
• Kent Diamond: "Because Experience Matters"
• Robert S. Garrison (incumbent): "Because Experience Matters"
• Ilya Eric Kolchinski: "No Mask"
• Kristen T. Sonnek-Schmelz
• Mary Wickens: "Accountability and Integrity"

There are nine seats on the Westfield Board of Education.

The three board members whose terms expire on Dec. 31 are Robert Garrison (running for re-election), Gretchan Ohlig, and Tara Oporto, according to the Westfield school board election webpage.

Last year, a whopping 10 candidates filed for three seats on the board. Their profiles were posted in the district website in advance of the race.

More information on the election can be found under the board tab on the district website: https://www.westfieldnjk12.org.

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