Five candidates, including two incumbent members, are vying for three open seats on the board of education.
Jaclyn Barnes, Brooke Mailhiot, David C. Hoffman, Marisa M. Cohen and Maurice “Mick” Weeks are on the ballot for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The township has also added a municipal question to the ballot regarding a 1959 law on family amusements at the Moorestown Mall.
Name: Jaclyn Barnes
Age: 42
How many years have you lived in Moorestown: 15
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
My husband Mike and I have two children – ages 15 and 10 – who attend Moorestown High School and the UES.
School and degree: University of Southern California, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Entertainment Management.
Profession: Office and business manager of Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates in Philadelphia, our family dental practice where my husband and father are owners.
First time running? Yes, running for a seat with the Moorestown School Board is the first time I’m seeking to serve the community in an elected position.
Community involvement: I enjoy collaborating and partnering with others to serve our community, including serving as a Moorestown Home & School Leader for the last 10 years, being Roberts Elementary & WAMS Chair, chairing all fundraising for Home and School for two years, and co-leading the annual Project Night Night event that brings community members together to provide basic comfort items to children experiencing homelessness. I’m also a member of Moorestown Rotary and Heart of Camden Board Member.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I’m running for an open seat on the Moorestown School Board because I want to help all children receive the quality education and support my two children – in 10th and fifth grades – have received from our incredible Moorestown schools. I believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming school to walk into every day – somewhere they can thrive and be supported in their education. Moorestown is fortunate to have great public schools, and I’m excited to partner with kids, parents and teachers to ensure every child and school has engaging curriculum, thoughtful leadership, and the emotional supports all students need.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Moorestown schools are known for providing quality education for students – something recognized across the state. Still, we’ve struggled to maintain stable leadership in the superintendent’s office and that affects decision-making on important matters for the district and in classrooms. Lack of stable leadership can also hold us back from creating a vision for how we keep building upon Moorestown’s quality education and make sure it’s available for generations of students to come. Among the areas I pledge to focus is finding and retaining leadership committed to this community, our values of inclusive, quality education, and supporting all our students.
Name: Dr. Brooke Mailhiot
Age: 43
How many years have you lived in Moorestown: 5
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Wesley (husband); Chase (son), 11, and Reese (daughter), 9.
School and degree: ED.D. in Educational Leadership and Management; minor in e-Learning Technologies; M.S. in Creativity and Innovation; and B.S. in Film and Video Production–all earned at Drexel University.
Profession: Program Chair and Assistant Professor, Entertainment Technologies at Rowan College at Burlington County.
First time running? This past year, I was elected to serve a one-year term seat on the Moorestown Board of Education.
Community involvement: Moorestown Jewish Association, President (2022-Present; (Partnerships with Moorestown Muslim Association, Perkins Art Center, MooreUnity, JCRC, Camden and Burlington County Chabad); Moorestown Home & School Association Communications Committee (Social Media Manager) Fundraiser Co-Chair, and Volunteer (2021-Present); Moorestown Lacrosse Club Festival Committee (Present); Burlington County Teen Arts Film Festival Judge and Teen Arts NJ Adjudicator; Jewish Community Relations Council ShinShin Scholar Program Host Family; Host of the monthly Podcast, The Baroness, interviewing empowering women in Burlington County.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
As a parent of two MTPS students, I want to serve our town’s families and be instrumental in decisions supporting an educational environment that allows all our children to flourish, achieve, and thrive. I look forward to continuing to develop a vision for the future of the growth of our schools, solidifying district leadership, obtaining the funding necessary to support our student’s needs and achievements, public safety, strengthening community communications, preparing for budgetary challenges, and exploring opportunities to enhance our curriculum.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
The most essential area for our district is the implementation of the next Superintendent for the MTPS. I have a strong background in educational leadership and organizational change. I wish to obtain insights during the selection process with key stakeholders, such as staff, parents, and community members. I have a strong background in developing curricula in multiple disciplines and modalities. I want to further my role within the BOE Communications Committee to assist with new ways to improve transparency and mobile access to district communications. Population growth will be upon us shortly, and we will need strong leadership to create innovative options to expand our district footprint with the influx of students within our district.
Name: David C. Hoffman
Age: 43
How many years have you lived in Moorestown: 43
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married, Katie. Children Kennedy 8, Addison 6.
School and degree: University of Phoenix, Business Administration.
Profession: Logistics Strategy Analyst/Real estate investor.
First time running? Yes.
Community involvement: Head coach tee ball/baseball. Head/asst coach softball.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Zach Brown the country signer sings it best, ‘We keep wishing on the same stars, trying to fix the same broke cars.’ This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the need for an unconventional perspective in our school board. I’m running for the school board to ensure our children are prepared and equipped with what is needed to succeed in our ever-changing world. As a parent and lifelong community member, I see opportunities for positive change. I believe in finding common ground and having hard and difficult conversations is the only way to ensure our children will succeed.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would like to focus my attention on figuring out how Moorestown can ensure we have more resources for students with IEP’s and or 504’s. For some of these children they are very close to qualifying, did qualify and have been transitioned out, or are receiving services. I find myself asking the question, why do our children have to fail before they qualify for services?
Name: Marisa Myers Cohen
Age: 47
How many years have you lived in Moorestown: Moved to Moorestown 2019 expressly for the fantastic school district.
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Met my husband Kevin at Rutgers Law on the very first day. Proud mom of daughter Addie (18, freshman at Monmouth University); son Hayden (16, junior at MHS); daughter Campbell (13, 8th grader at WAMS).
School and degree: New York University, BS, Double Major, Social Work and Political Science; Rutgers Law, JD.
Profession: Managing Attorney and Shareholder/ Partner in a Multi -State Women Owned Law Firm with direct experience in policies and procedures, compliance, complex budgeting, and HR employment matters.
First time running? Yes
Community involvement: Active volunteer in our community, including Project Graduation, chaperoning school dances, serving on welcoming committee. Siting board member of Moorestown Rowing Club, a non-for-profit organization.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Moorestown is an evolving and expanding school district and I am excited to use my professional foundation as an attorney to keep an eye on budgeting and select the new Superintendent. In the superintendent search, we need a proven leader that will prioritize our students. As the school district expands, we need strong budgetary oversight to meet the needs of all our students and keep Moorestown as a top-tier school district in South Jersey. It would be my honor to serve the residents of Moorestown and be an advocate for our kids, school staff, and our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I am excited to work on communication and transparency. I would ensure parents have a voice in key decisions facing our district guaranteeing all residents have a seat at the table. A delineated role of the board of education is to facilitate communication between the community and school district. Moorestown’s success as a top-tier school district is attributed to the active involvement of parents. As a parent and taxpayer, I will work to ensure everyone’s voices are heard as the decisions being made will directly impact the education and social growth of our children as well as our property values.
Name: Maurice “Mick” Weeks, III
Age: 51
How many years have you lived in Moorestown: 47
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married, two children, 19 (MHS Grad) and 11 (sixth grade, UES).
School and degree: MHS grad ’88; Seton Hall, BA Communications & Anthropology ’92; University of Kentucky, Master of Public Administration (MPA) ‘96.
Profession: Education Technology Sales – Strategic Account Manager, Higher Education for Jamf, LLC.
First time running? I am running for a third term on the Moorestown BOE. I am in the third year of my second term (2017-19, 2021-present). Served one year as president (22), Committees: current chair of Finance and Operations, previously chaired Communications, served on Curriculum, Contract Negotiations, Race & Racism.
Community involvement: In addition to my BOE service I am currently a coach for the Moorestown Soccer Club and Moorestown Robotics. I have previously coached youth basketball, baseball, and softball. My family attends Trinity Episcopal Church and I advise community organizations including the YMCA.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I grew up in this community and continue to live here with my family due to the many positive experiences I have had here. There were many stewards of this community, including my parents, that were willing to dedicate their time and effort to ensuring that Moorestown continues to be the wonderful place that it is. I firmly believe that it is incumbent upon me and others with the ability, skills, and dedication to give back and assume those leadership roles for our children and community today.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
My previous two terms have been successful and an honor to be a part of however there is more work I would like to do. We need to hire a new superintendent, create opportunities for our schools to support new students due to housing growth, and continue to offer an unparalleled learning experience for all students, especially those who have historically been underserved and overlooked. I would like to continue to be one of the community’s representatives in these conversations and bring my experience and vision to the table.
