Five candidates are vying for seats on the Bordentown Regional School District Board of Education this November, but four out of the five are sure to gain election to the board.
Incumbent Mike James, a resident of Bordentown City, is running unopposed for his seat on the board. Two of the board’s nine seats go to city residents.
Raquel Parker is also running unopposed to complete the one year remaining on the term of the seat that she was appointed to fill last fall.
Three Bordentown Township residents are running for the other two seats up for grabs this year: incumbent Richard Shenowski, Carmen Rivera and Virinder K. Mann. Not running for re-election is current board member Katherine Clark.
Community News asked candidates to respond to questionnaires emailed to them last month. Their answers to our questions are below.
Mike James, 43, is a high school history teacher. The Bordentown City resident has lived almost his entire life in Bordentown. James and his wife, Vickie, are both graduates of Bordentown Regional High School. They have two kids, Ella (grade 9) and Rhylan (grade 8). James is a graduate of BRHS, Mercer County Community College, The College of New Jersey and Monmouth University.
Virinder Mann, 30, works as a project manager. The resident of Grande at Crystal Lake has lived in Bordentown since 2020. Mann is married with one daughter.
Raquel Parker, 46, is a former early childhood educator who now works as an office manager at a local accounting firm. She lives in Bossert Estates. She has lived in Bordentown township since 2005. Originally from Chile, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1982, when she was four years old, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006.
Parker has been married to husband Christopher Parker since 2006. Their daughter, Kara, is a junior at Bordentown Regional High School who aspires to study speech and language pathology in college.
Carmen Rivera, 43, is assistant director, finance operations at MTAC&D. She has lived in Bordentown for four years. She is married with four children, the eldest of whom is in the Navy in California. One is a 2024 graduate of BRHS, one a 10th grader and the youngest a first grader.
Richard Shenowski, 43, works as a vice president of operations for a design and manufacturing company. A lifelong resident of Burlington County and 19-year resident of Bordentown, he currently lives in Bossert Estates with his wife. Their daughter attends PMES.
Community News: Tell us about the moment you decided to run, or run again, for school board.
Mike James: I’m not sure I can pinpoint the moment I decided to seek a third term, but I will say that asking for the first signature of a neighbor on the petition for office is most definitely the point of commitment for me. Asking someone for their signature is a show of support and confidence in my ability to work collaboratively with others to advance our public schools.
Virinder Mann: I decided to run for the school board after hearing from parents, teachers, and community members who are passionate about improving our district. Their commitment to seeing our schools thrive inspired me to step up and serve. With my background in education and community service, I knew I could offer a fresh perspective, especially as we face new challenges. Running for the board allows me to give back to a community that has given so much to me and my family.
Raquel Parker: I wanted to get involved and make a difference. I saw how our school board functioned and attended regular meetings, and realized my experiences would benefit the decisions being made. After being appointed to a vacant seat last year, I’m running for a full term. As a former early childhood teacher and a parent within the district, I offer a unique perspective—understanding both parental concerns and educational dynamics.
Carmen Rivera: I participated in the BRSD Strategic Planning in April of 2023, and felt the need to advocate for the school district during the reduction of state aid at the State House Annex. I felt this would be a great next step.
Richard Shenowski: My journey to becoming a board member has been anything but traditional. I was appointed to the board in 2022, ran uncontested in 2023 to complete the final year of that seat, and am now running for a full term. During this time, my passion for actively contributing to the success of our schools has only grown. As a board member, I have devoted—and will continue to devote—the time and effort necessary to ensure our schools thrive.
Community News: How well do you think the administration and the board handled the budget crisis of this past spring?
Mike James: This past spring was incredibly difficult. Leading up to the budget vote, we had gut-wrenching decisions to make, and those decisions negatively impacted my children, too. As a member of the board, I worked collaboratively with board members and administration, and listened to community members’ feedback as we went through the process of advocating for a funding increase. I wasn’t the tip of the proverbial spear in this instance, but rather played a role of support for others as they pushed for a funding solution from the state. I spent hours calling legislators’ offices from other parts of the state to make sure Bordentown was on their radar, attended meetings with other BOE members and school superintendents, and pushed for a solution alongside many others.
Virinder Mann: The administration and board worked diligently during a very challenging budget crisis. I applaud their dedication to minimizing the impact on students and keeping essential programs intact. Budget challenges like this are never easy, and I believe the board made thoughtful decisions under tough circumstances. That said, there are always opportunities to enhance transparency and increase collaboration with the community. Moving forward, we should aim for even more open dialogue to ensure all stakeholders feel informed and involved.
Raquel Parker: This past spring, every district in New Jersey was put in a difficult place financially. Many schools had to make incredibly hard and in some cases, very creative decisions in order to maintain operating expenses and have a state approved budget. While I was not pleased with the process, and I think more solutions should have been considered initially, I realize there was a time crunch, and in the end we worked hard to do what was needed to keep the schools operating with the least impact as possible to our most vulnerable students. Above all, my goal was to put the staff and students first. For the budget, I voted in alignment with my constituents.
Carmen Rivera: I think the administration and the board did the best they could in a very difficult situation. I would’ve reached out more to the community, maybe through social media platforms to show how transparent we are. I would also use that platform to encourage the community to reach out to state legislators and try to come up with creative ways to call attention to the school district budget crisis.
Richard Shenowski: Bordentown Regional School District lost 16% of our state aid for the 2024-2025 school year—a cut that caught everyone off guard and posed challenges beyond what anyone expected. The state’s reactive approach to providing relief only compounded the issue, forcing difficult decisions. As a new member of the finance committee in 2024, I saw firsthand the toll this process took on our administration, staff, community, children, and the board. I advocated for early public engagement, knowing that transparent communication and community input are essential during difficult times.
I’m thankful for the administration’s willingness to embrace an open and honest approach and for the community’s engagement in advocating for the restoration of various programs. The board listened closely to these requests and worked hard to meet the community’s needs wherever possible.
Community News: Grade the job the school board has done in the past year. What can you as a member of the school board do to maintain or improve this grade?
Mike James: I’m going to reject the premise of the question. I don’t believe I should be assigning a subjective grade to the board. However, I will say this: I have deep respect and appreciation for all of my fellow board members. Each of us brings something different and valuable to the table. We support one another, but also challenge one another. We discuss, we consider other perspectives, we deliberate, and we vote. Behind all of these actions are hours of hard work; reviewing policies, developing plans, listening to constituent concerns, and problem solving with administration under tight budgets and multiple constraints.
We do our best, but we also seek improvement. To assign a grade would indicate to me this project is completed. It never is.
Virinder Mann: As someone who is not a member of the school board and thus not privy to all the information, my assessment of the board would be based solely on publicly available information. This doesn’t provide the full context of their decision-making processes, which are often complex and involve factors beyond public knowledge. I respect the board’s role in making important decisions for the school community. However, without the comprehensive insights that board members possess, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to assign a grade.
Raquel Parker: The past year for us as a board was challenging. Overall, I would say we rose to meet the obstacles we were presented with, and I would say that if graded, we averaged a B. What we do as a board is more than the sum of the meetings we hold. Much is done in committees, a process of which I am proud to be a part. As a board member, the best thing I can do to maintain or improve this is to keep acting with classroom needs as my primary focus. I am here to give my constituents a voice at the table and I feel that I have shown that in the past year.
Carmen Rivera: As a parent with two children currently in the school district, I would grade the school board a B. As a member of the school board, I will put the students first, work together with the other board members to create strategic partnerships with the community, while maintaining strong ethical standards. I feel this formula would maintain this grade.
Richard Shenowski: I would give the school board a B for its performance this past year. While the board has made progress in addressing key issues, such as budget challenges and policy development, there’s room for improvement in new member engagement and collaboration. As I become a more senior member and new members join, I am committed to fostering a more collaborative environment where all voices are heard.
Additionally, I aim to increase public engagement through enhanced communication and transparency. By continuing to review the policy manual and strengthening financial planning, we can ensure the board is prepared for future challenges and positioned to improve this grade.
Community News: Does the school board and the district administration do enough to keep the community informed about news and developments regarding the district?
Mike James: I believe we do, but we must continue to work to meet the community where they are. Information is shared in many different ways: via email, on the district website, text messages, and occasionally through press releases. However, we could improve this by pursuing a one way internet streaming of board meetings. In order to participate in the meeting one must be in person, but to view or listen to the meeting, one would simply need to go online. It is my hope we can begin implementing this soon, but it will need the support of other board members.
Virinder Mann: The board and administration have made commendable efforts to keep the community informed, particularly during challenging times. However, in today’s fast-paced world, we must constantly look for ways to improve how we communicate. I believe more can be done to make information more accessible and timely, especially during key decision-making moments. I would advocate for additional channels of communication, such as regular digital updates, and more opportunities for the public to engage directly with the board and administration.
Raquel Parker: As a board, keeping the community in the loop is never easy. One of the biggest challenges for any public board like a board of education is maintaining transparency while keeping things accessible for all and protecting the privacy of our students and staff. We currently use our district website to promote meetings. I feel that we need to do a better job at finding ways to ensure board meetings are more accessible to the community.
Carmen Rivera: As a community member, I feel that there needs to be more grassroots initiatives. Community is our strongest asset, having everyone involved should be an important proponent within our district. One way to improve this initiative is to make the board meetings more accessible to the community (i.e.: streaming online) also, send out electronic/mail surveys, and assign a board member/someone who will manage a centralized email where people can send questions/concerns that board members can address at the end of every board meeting.
Richard Shenowski: I believe the district has made significant strides in keeping the community informed, but there is always room for improvement. We’ve already improved transparency with the superintendent post her board reports on the district website and by maintaining regular text and email communications to keep families updated.
However, I think we can do more to increase engagement by offering more interactive opportunities for community feedback, such as town halls and virtual Q&A sessions, to ensure everyone has a voice in the decision-making process.
Community News: What are two vital issues facing the school board today, and what will you do as a member of the board to address them?
Mike James: The two biggest issues we face as a district are funding and negotiating a contract with the teachers’ and support staff union. The funding issue depends heavily on state financial aid. We will continue to push for full funding of BRSD and work with our legislators to solve the funding question. This also means keeping a keen eye on spending, ensuring our costs provide the best return for our students’ future.
On negotiations, I am “conflicted” and cannot participate in them in any way, as I am also a teacher and NJEA member. However, I have full faith and confidence in the BOE Negotiations Committee to represent the interests of the community and work towards a fair and equitable settlement for all parties.
Virinder Mann: One of the most critical issues is ensuring financial sustainability. As we continue to face budget challenges, it’s essential to find innovative ways to secure funding without compromising the quality of education. I will work tirelessly to lobby our state legislators to secure increased funding for our school district. The second issue is ensuring equity in education. Every student deserves access to the tools and resources they need to succeed. I will prioritize expanding support for all students, including increased access to mental health services and least restrictive learning environments.
Raquel Parker: Two issues I’d like to address are the budget and mental health. While the budget is very challenging, as a school board member, I can focus on clear goals, student advocacy, collaboration with district leadership, fiscal responsibility, equity, community engagement, and state-level advocacy. Remember, teamwork matters, effective boards work together for positive student outcomes.
Mental Health also needs to become more of a priority in our schools. As a board member, I can help the district by raising awareness about mental health, to help destigmatize it, and help allocate resources for the schools. We can partner with the community for support, and help ensure staff receive mental health training to recognize and address student needs.
Carmen Rivera: More diversity and more community involvement. Facilitate round table discussions to include more diversity and community involvement.
Richard Shenowski: The two most vital issues facing the school board today are budget sustainability and improving academic achievement and career readiness. The budget requires long-term, strategic planning to ensure we maintain essential programs while responsibly managing resources. I will work to create a balanced approach that safeguards the quality of education without compromising financial stability.
Additionally, we must focus on preparing our students for success beyond graduation. This means strengthening academic programs, expanding career readiness initiatives, and ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to thrive in both higher education and the workforce.
Community News: Why should voters elect you to serve on the Bordentown Regional Board of Education?
Mike James: Even though I have my shortcomings, like enjoying pineapple on pizza, I think most people who know me will say I do my best to listen to others, to be considerate of their needs, and to act on them in my capacity as a board member. I do my best to be objective and thoughtful in this role, and I deeply value education as the public treasure it is.
Virinder Mann: Voters should elect me because I have a vested interest in the success of our schools as both a parent and community member. I bring a unique perspective, combining my background in project management and my experience in community organizing. I’ve demonstrated my ability to solve problems and lead during challenging times, such as during the pandemic. I’m ready to bring that same dedication to the school board, ensuring that our district remains a place where all students can thrive.
Raquel Parker: My passion for education and community well-being makes me an excellent candidate for the board of education. I have community roots: As a community member, I understand the unique needs and dynamics of our schools firsthand. I have teaching experience: My background as a former early childhood educator brings valuable insights into education. I am an advocate: My commitment to prioritizing teachers, staff, and students shows integrity and dedication.
Carmen Rivera: My personal experience as a parent with two children in the school district will help me advocate for parents and students. My core values will allow me to be a voice for the disenfranchised in the community. I am a strong believer that when we work together the community thrives benefitting all.
Richard Shenowski: Voters should re-elect me because I take my board responsibilities seriously and am never a ‘Rubber Stamp.’ I am a committed advocate for both our students AND taxpayers, always striving to balance quality education with fiscal responsibility. As an integral and influential member of the board, I’ve built strong working relationships with the administration and my fellow board members. These relationships have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to key decisions. Our board president appointed me to chair the curriculum committee and fill a vacancy in the policy committee, further demonstrating my abilities and commitment to shaping the future of our district.
