To the Editor:

When our ballots arrived this week, we were excited to cast our votes for Beth Behrend, Jean Durbin, and Michele Tuck-Ponder for Princeton School Board, and hope you’ll do the same. We have worked closely with all three and know they will contribute thoughtful and inclusive leadership on behalf of our kids and our excellent public schools. 

As president and vice president of the School Board, Beth and Michele have led the Board with a focus on data-driven policymaking, fiscal prudence, and equity.  In addition, they are good listeners and experienced community leaders. Together, they have stabilized school finances, improved facilities, and developed equity initiatives to address the stubborn achievement and opportunity gaps.

Jean has been involved in the Princeton community in so many ways, including the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, the Civil Rights Commission, Littlebrook PTO, and Little League, always working to make our institutions more welcoming and more equitable. She is now running to add her energy and dedication to the Board, where she will bring critical legal, advocacy, and negotiation skills to bear on behalf of Princeton families and taxpayers.  

There are eight people running for three spots on the Board, and your vote will matter in shaping the future of our schools. Beth, Jean, and Michele bring exceptional skills from their professional experiences, a record of deep and meaningful community engagement, and are uniquely prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. If you have not yet done so, we hope you will consider casting your vote for these three proven leaders.

Lance Liverman
Witherspoon Street

Heather Howard
Aiken Avenue