The Evesham Township Board of Education will fill three vacancies in the Nov. 7 election.
Five candidates are running to fill three seats on the board. They are Jaron Brown, Aiden DeMarsey, Anthony Foster, Janis Knoll, and Flora Talmazan. Candidate profiles are listed below in alphabetical order.
Name: Jaron Brown
Age: 36
How many years have you lived in (town)? 3 years
Married? Children? You don’t have to provide names, but if you could provide ages for the children. Yes, I’ve been married for 13 years. I have two sons, ages 10 and 4.
School and degree: Rutgers University studying liberal studies.
Profession: Air National Guard and Project Coordinator for a nonprofit
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for (Council/Committee/mayor/BOE)? First time running
What is your involvement in the community? (I’m a) youth sports coach volunteer, (as well as) a Disabilities and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee member.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I moved to Marlton due to the great school system. I actively support our community by volunteering as a youth sports coach, as a member of my Homeowners Association and as a member of the Disabilities and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. I am running for a seat on the Evesham Township Board of Education to uplift lives through education. My military experience taught me vital qualities like leadership and dedication. I’m committed to a safe, nurturing education environment, advocating for inclusivity and supporting teachers. As a parent, I share the concerns and hopes for our children’s education. I want to foster collaboration within our community and advocate for resources that help our kids thrive academically and personally.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
As a military veteran and dedicated parent, I am committed to prioritizing mental health initiatives within our education system. My experiences in the Air Force have taught me the importance of mental well-being, and I believe we need comprehensive programs to support our students and address their emotional needs for a brighter, more resilient future.
Name: Aiden DeMarsey
Age: 19
How many years have you lived in (town)? 19.
Married? Children? Grandchildren? You don’t have to provide names, but if you could provide ages for the children. Not yet, but I have two siblings who attend Marlton Elementary School and Marlton Middle School, (they are ages) 7 and 11.
School and degree: Current student at Rutgers University studying public policy.
Profession: Real Estate
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for (Council/Committee/mayor/BOE)? If not, how many years/terms have you served as (Council/Committee/BOE/mayor) person? Yes, this is my first time running for office.
What is your involvement in the community?
I served on the Evesham Youth Advisory Committee for four years – an alumni of Evesham schools. As well as working with (Anthony Foster) to help plan our towns favorite events like Harvest Festival and the 4th of July parade.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Experience is crucial in this election. While most candidates would use that word to describe how long they have served in influential positions, we need a different kind of experience than what they are talking about.
We need local leaders in our district who know from first hand experience what our education issues are and who understand the needs of both students and parents.
As recent Evesham alumni, (Anthony Foster) and I are ready to bring the issues we noticed in school to the table. We are running to bring our fresh perspectives to the board of education and to utilize them to problem solve for the students and parents of Marlton.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I wanted to get involved after I heard my neighborhood lost their bus route for the local elementary and middle school. I know a lot of families, including my own, depend on those buses to make sure their kids can get to school safely. I want to make sure student safety is a top priority on the board of education, and that in a district as good as Evesham, lack of transportation is not an issue for students and parents.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of financial support for our district from the state. Trenton took away $7 million plus from our school district. They justified this with a funding formula drafted by politicians who don’t understand Evesham values. We need advocates on the school board who will stand up to these politicians, and work with our allies across New Jersey to prevent more funding cuts from devastating our schools.
Name: Anthony Foster
Age: 19
How many years have you lived in (town)? 12
Married? Children? Grandchildren? You don’t have to provide names, but if you could provide ages for the children. Three siblings 5, 6, and 10 years old
School and degree: Currently a sophomore at Montclair State University studying public policy.
Profession: Full-time student, but I also do Montclair State radio news on WMSC FM, and write occasionally for the paper.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for (Council/Committee/mayor/BOE)? If not, how many years/terms have you served as (Council/Committee/BOE/mayor) person? Yes, this is my first time.
What is your involvement in the community?
(Aiden DeMarsey) and I have been significantly involved in the community. Together we’ve helped with Evesham’s 4th of July Parade and assisted with setting up the Harvest Festival, which was unfortunately cancelled. Running for elected office is one of the ways any citizen can show patriotism for their country and love for their community. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting many folks throughout Marlton and hearing what they want in a public servant.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I’m running because far too often we look around and realize too many people in elected office are out of touch. They’re out of touch with reality, and out of touch with the problems that affect all of us. My running mate and I are two young men who just went through the Evesham education system. We know a lot about it and we want to keep it strong (and) move it in the right direction. Evesham education is why our families moved here, we’ll keep it that way. After all, who better than students for Evesham.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
The push for me to run was when two good friends of mine opened up to me about their attempted suicides. The fact is that 36% of children report having “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.” Today with smartphones in everyone’s hands the bully is no longer at school, but at home, at your dinner table, and in your bed. Aiden and I have seen this mental health crisis first-hand, more than I’ve liked to, but now it’s my turn to step up and do something about it.
Name: Janis Knoll
How many years have you lived in (town)? 9 years
Married? Children? Grandchildren? You don’t have to provide names, but if you could provide ages for the children. My husband, Marc, and I have been married for 15 years. We have two children ages 13 and 10.
School and degree: Lehigh University Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Profession: I am currently a stay-at-home mom. Before staying home to care for my children, I worked as an environmental consultant for 15 years as a senior scientist and project manager.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for (Council/Committee/mayor/BOE)? If not, how many years/terms have you served as (Council/Committee/BOE/mayor) person? I first ran for the school board in 2017 and since then have served two terms. This is my sixth year serving.
What is your involvement in the community?
I am active with the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at my son’s schools. The rest of my free time is spent serving on the school board. I am the chairperson of the Technology Committee and member/former chair of the Finance Committee. I also serve on the Board of Directors of the non-profit RapRoom Parent to Parent Addiction Support Group.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I am running for re-election because I am passionate about our public schools, teachers and staff. I have a vested interest in the quality of education that our students receive and want to ensure that high quality programs and 21st century curriculum remain a primary focus. I believe that every child deserves a great education and want to support our teachers as they prepare our students for success. I believe every child should feel safe, accepted, included, and nurtured at school. I believe that great schools are critical to the strength of our community and the future of our students.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I’m committed to focusing on school funding advocacy at the state level. I was recently appointed to serve as an alternate on New Jersey School Board’s Legislative Committee serving District 8. I’m excited to work alongside school board members from other districts to advocate for equitable and reliable school funding including increased Special Education Aid. My work on this committee will give ETSD (Evesham Township School District) a stronger voice in Trenton. I believe the school board should collaborate with concerned Marlton residents to form a grassroots school funding advocacy group. Together we can raise our voices and fight for our students and our school district.
Name: Flora Talmazan
Age: 37
How many years have lived in Marlton? Almost 3 years
School and degree? Brooklyn College-BA Early Childhood-Special Education and Psychology. Fordham University-pursuing Masters degree in Social Work
Profession: Head of School-Montessori School in Voorhees.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for (Council/Committee/mayor/BOE)? If not, how many years/terms have you served as (Council/Committee/BOE/mayor) person? First time running for the BOE.
What is your involvement in the community? I have participated, sponsored, and hosted a variety of different public and private community events, such as: fall festivals, woofstock, trunk or treats, outdoor movie nights for families, Kings Grant Luau Out, etc.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
“I’m running for an elected seat on the board of education in Marlton because my children are in the district, and their future is what gives me hope. As a parent, I deeply care about their education and want to ensure they have the best possible opportunities. But it doesn’t stop there. I have a wealth of experience and a genuine desire to contribute to the larger picture of education in our district. I believe every child deserves a quality education, and I want to be a part of shaping not just my own children’s educational experience, but also that of all the children in our community. Together, let’s make a positive impact and create a brighter future for all the students in Marlton.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining high academic standards and ensuring that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their background or abilities. I will advocate for curriculum improvements, innovative teaching methods, and resources that enhance learning outcomes. In addition, parent and community engagement.
