Six candidates, including one incumbent school board member, filed nominating petitions to run for three open seats on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education by the July 29 deadline.
Incumbent school board member Mara Franceschi is seeking a second term, but school board members Betsy Baglio and Brian McDonald did not file petitions. McDonald is a candidate for a seat on the Princeton Council.
Franceschi is being challenged by newcomers Ari Meisel, Z. Lisa Potter, Christopher Santarpio, Erica Snyder and Shenwei Zhao.
The term is for three years.
Franceschi has lived in Princeton for 14 years. She has three children. Her oldest child will be a freshman at Georgetown University. Her younger children are enrolled at Princeton High School.
Franceschi said she is seeking another term because she believes that experience does matter. She pointed to challenges facing the school district that include a referendum on school expansions and balancing the budget while keeping tax increases to a minimum.
The school board is beginning its search for a permanent superintendent of schools, and as a first-time participant in the search process, she will bring a fresh set of eyes to the process, she said.
“My years of school board experience will allow me to better evaluate the skills required of an excellent superintendent who will become an integral part of our district and schools,” she said.
Meisel has lived in Princeton for four years. He has five children and said he is “heavily invested” in the success of the Princeton Public Schools.
“My goal is to ensure a safe and supportive environment for our students, optimizing our spending and maintaining small class sizes. Physical and mental health are also key priorities,” Meisel said.
Meisel wants to create an environment where every student reaches their full potential by focusing on personalized learning approaches, investing in teacher development and integrating innovative educational technologies and methodolgies.
He also wants to enhance the security measures in the schools, to include updating safety protocols, investing in security infrastructure and fostering a culture of awareness and preparedness.
Potter, who moved to Princeton in 2022, has two children. One child graduated from Princeton High School and her younger child is a junior at the high school.
Potter said she is running for a seat on the school board because she believes in the power of strong leadership and effective management to transform the school district.
The Princeton Public Schools has a strong foundation, Potter said. Her goal is to build on that foundation by stabilizing leadership, prioritizing operational efficiency and encouraging community engagement.
She said she would like to contribute her skills in talent acquisition – especially in executive search – to hire a “visionary” superintendent to lead the school district. Stable, long-term leadership is necessary.
Potter also emphasized the need to make cost-effective decisions. She suggested that instead of spending money on more consultants, the teachers and staff should be asked for input. They are on the front lines and often have valuable insights into improving the schools, she said.
Santarpio has lived in Princeton for four years. He has one child who attends the Community Park School. He is a co-president of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
Santarpio said his attendance at regular school board meetings, school board committee meetings and PTO Council meetings has helped him to understand the broader management of the Princeton Public Schools.
Santarpio said his background in managing a family-owned business would be helpful in serving on the school board. He has developed expertise in finance, supply chain and operations management.
“While community- and culture-building is certainly key within the business context, I further understand the critical nature of managing budgets and data-driven decision-making as we strive to achieve operational excellence,” he said.
Santarpio pledged to foster a deep sense of connectivity between the school district and all aspects of the vibrant and diverse communities that have chosen to live in Princeton.
Snyder moved to Princeton two years ago. She has three children enrolled in the Princeton Public Schools, and is co-president of the Community Park School PTO.
“As a parent to three Princeton Public Schools students, I am personally invested in our district’s future. I want to contribute my years of professional experience (as an educator) to improving the educational experience for all, ensuring every student thrives,” she said.
As a self-described educator at heart, Snyder said she has spent her career working to support teachers and teacher leaders through curriculum development, education technology integration and innovative instructional methods.
Snyder said her goals include better communication between the school district and the community about the district’s challenges, resulting in building consensus and trust around the best solutions.
Those solutions include challenging assumption on the changing landscape of college and career readiness for all students, and using qualitative and quantitative results to measure achievement to ensure that all students thrive, Snyder said.
Zhao has lived in Princeton for eight years. He has one child who is enrolled at the Princeton Middle School.
“The primary reason I am running for the school board is simple. I would like to help our schools to operate more effectively,” Zhao said.
Zhao said he would like to create a healthy and rewarding environment in recruiting and retaining good teachers and administrators amid the teacher shortage.
He said he would like to improve the mental health of students and staff, and also allocate appropriate resources to raise the level of achievement among all students.
Zhao said that as an engineer and as a business owner and consultant, he has designed, integrated, maintained and fixed many systems. He also understands the importance of nurturing good relationships with diverse clients and stakeholders.
“The school board’s responsibilities fall into similar categories,” Zhao said.
