Four Running for Two Watchung Hills Board Seats

A crowded field will be running for two seats on the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education, after Tuesday's filing deadline.

Voters will fill two, three-year terms in November's general election currently held by board Vice President Harold Grossnickle and Laura Mandell.

Grossnickle filed for re-election, and will be joined on the ballot by former WHRHS board member Peter Fallon, of Gregory Lane; Smoke Rise Drive Anthony Sardis and Robert Morrison, of Briarwood Drive east.

Fallon served on the board from 2006 to 2012, dropping from a crowded field last year. He also served on the Warren Township Board of Education from 2000 to 2006.

Sardis also served on the Warren Township board, leaving in 2011 after one term. He made an unsuccessful bid for a Republican nomination for the Township Committee in 2011, also. 

Morrison, who is the founder of Quandrant Arts Education Research, is making his first bid for elected office.

"After spending the majority of my professional career involved in national and state education policy, and having witnessed the challenges facing our school district, I am compelled to take this opportunity to volunteer my experience to serve our community as a WHRHS board member," he said.

Sardis said he felt the time was right to run for the school board, after spending much of his time the last two years working for non-profits, including one helping abused and special needs children and veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  

"Education is one of the most important gifts we can give our children," he said. "It has made a tremendous difference in my life.

"I always tell my children that we have an obligation to contribute to the community no matter how small," he added. "Having said that, I've dedicated a fair amount of time in government service over the past 20 years. A dear friend of mine recently asked me if I would consider running—after considering the challenges school boards face in a difficult economy and talking with my family and friends, I decided that the timing was right to serve."

For her part, Mandell said she felt it was time to move on to other projects in the community.

"After more than 10 years volunteering at Watchung Hills Regional High School, it is time for me to focus on other pursuits in the community," she said. "I am proud of my record of supporting student offerings, both academic and co-curricular, during these times of diminished resources. I am grateful for and thank all the terrific people who value education and supported Watchung Hills over the years and during its period of growth. I look forward to seeing leadership that will continue to put the students' needs first."

Voters will also fill one seat on the Warren Township Board of Education in November, currently held by Foxglove Drive resident James Sena. Sena filed for re-election and does not face any challengers for re-election.  

This article was edited to include comments from Robert Morrison.