To the Editor:

I am a parent of three PPS children (one each at Littlebrook, PMS, and PHS), and I’m writing to support the candidacies of Beth Behrend and Eleanor Hubbard for the Board of Education and the upcoming referendum to support the public schools.

Beth is running for reelection to the Board after having served two highly effective terms. During Beth’s time on the Board, the schools expanded free Pre-K and stabilized district finances while successfully and amicably negotiating a five-year labor contract that ensured our ability to retain top teaching talent at a time of nationwide teacher shortages. Beth’s tenure as president coincided with the darkest days of the pandemic, and I marveled at the grace, empathy, and good sense with which she navigated the competing imperatives of keeping our children and teachers healthy and keeping our schools up and running, all in the face of considerable public scrutiny. For the past several years, Beth has devoted her energies to the district’s future as the chair of the Board’s long-term planning committee, in which capacity she leads the Board’s crucial efforts to plan for considerable increases in enrollment and update our long-neglected facilities. As a seasoned attorney, Beth brings her legal and strategic acumen along with her deep knowledge of district finances and experience in board governance to this essential planning work, and I am profoundly grateful to Beth for running to serve another term to see this work through.

I’ve known Eleanor since we met in Princeton University’s history department 12 years ago. For five years, we served together on the board of UNOW, the University’s affiliated child care, during which time the center doubled in size. Throughout this time, I was consistently impressed by Eleanor’s sharp intelligence and her roll-up-her-sleeves willingness to take on any responsibility, big or small, from organizing monthly parent coffees to serving as Board president. She was integral to the renegotiation of UNOW’s contract with Princeton University in 2022, safeguarding the center’s competitive teacher compensation and excellent teacher/student ratios while laying important groundwork for a robust scholarship program. Her tenure was guided by her commitment to teachers, to quality education, and to increasing access for all children, regardless of socioeconomic background — principles that have continued to guide Eleanor’s advocacy in the public school context and her campaign to join the Board. UNOW benefited tremendously from Eleanor’s wise leadership, and I am delighted that PPS now also has the opportunity to benefit from Eleanor’s committed service.

Voters should also support the Princeton schools’ bond referendum. The funds will cover key security improvements, playground enhancements, sustainability measures, essential wireless network improvements, and basic maintenance. Passing the referendum is critical both for student wellness and to ensure the long-term viability of school facilities. Moreover, the referendum gives Princeton access to $5 million in state debt service aid that would otherwise be unavailable. I enthusiastically encourage all Princetonians to vote for Beth, for Eleanor, and for the school bond referendum on November 7!

Jane Manners
Wheatsheaf Lane