On the ballot in November, are three (3) three-year board member positions and one (1) unexpired Board of Education term with two (2) candidates running: Amanda Aaron and Kelli Mouzon. Amanda Aaron, MSN, BSN, was appointed to the BOE in July to fill a temporary vacancy. She was born and raised in Merchantville, has three children attending Merchantville School and is running to ensure our children are provided with high quality, equitable education and learning opportunities that will allow them to grow and be excited about the future and engender the same sense of community as it once did. Kelli Mouzon, is co-owner of The Juice Bar, experienced in home health care and pursing early childhood education at Temple University.
The five residents competing for the three - 3 year term - seats include the following candidates: Lynn Geddes, Melania Gaskins, Kristina Kroot, Antisha Meisner and Craig Nussbaum
Incumbent Lynn Geddes is a retired educator who feels her 40 years plus experience gives her a wealth of knowledge to address the multi-faceted needs of quality education. As board members we need to support the needs of the system by providing quality salaries, safe, clean, and functioning environments, and the necessary tools to allow our children to thrive especially the continuing professional development that gives teachers the ability to provide quality instruction. Lynn can be reached by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Melanie Gaskins is an elementary school teacher, recipient of the 2019-20 Governor’s Educator of the Year Award, who wants to contribute positively to our community through this act of service on the Board of Education. She is committed to supporting Merchantville's educators in the meaningful and impactful endeavor of teaching, guiding, facilitating, supporting, enriching and encouraging our community's youth. One of her primary goals is the need for structural modifications to become ADA compliant. Melanie can be reached by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kristina Kroot, a newcomer to Merchantville and small business owner with an MBA, pursuing her PhD in child development psychology PhD student. She values community service and being a board member is a way to contribute. Her goal is for our families to feel confident and trusting that the school and BOE will provide a quality education and opportunities through a supportive, engaging and equitable curriculum and learning environment. Kristina Kroot can be reached by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Antisha Meisner is a stay-at-home mom, retired Marine veteran and former teacher with a BS in Secondary Education, who owns and operates a small home-based business. She is the current VP of Ongoing Programs in the PTA and is running for the BOE as a community member and a person of color in an interracial marriage with three biracial children at MES. She wants to be a voice and advocate for similar families, students and community residents who feel they are not heard and ensure that all students are acknowledged to bolster their confidence and enhance their desire to succeed.
Incumbent board member Craig Nussbaum is an MES dad, social worker at the Gloucester County Special Services School and ESS clinician for adolescents with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities. He is currently Merchantville's representative on the Haddon Heights BOE. Craig is asking residents to please consider voting for him so he may continue to represent Merchantville's kids and foster great education. He loves advocating for our kids and is invested in making sure they receive what they need.
