This fall, four candidates are vying for three seats on the 9-member South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education: Trish Azeez, Liz Callahan, Kevin Diaz, and Will Meyer. Village Green is posting endorsements for candidates from current and former elected officials who hold or held townwide office or higher, as well as endorsements by local organizations. We ask that endorsers coordinate with candidates for full guidelines. Read more election coverage here.
Deb Engel, Liz Callahan and Will Meyer
I am enthusiastically supporting Liz Callahan and Will Meyer for reelection to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. I’ve worked alongside them as a municipal official and watched their leadership as a district parent. They listen, care deeply about our kids, and have helped make the Board more collaborative and productive.
As a former Maplewood Deputy Mayor and a mother of three, I know how much families depend on responsive local government. Clear communication and a willingness to work together matter, especially when budgets are tight and the decisions are difficult.
I first knew Liz through the Board meeting summaries she shared during the pandemic, helping families stay informed long before she ran for office. I met Will campaigning on a Maplewood street corner in 2022, where his booming voice drew people in and his willingness to listen kept them talking. Both were already doing what good public servants do: connecting with residents and paying attention to their concerns.
Over the past three years, I’ve watched them bring those qualities to Board service. With Will now serving as President and Liz as First Vice President, they’ve helped establish a more collaborative and productive tone. They take their responsibilities seriously and keep working through difficult issues, even when there is no easy resolution.
My time on the Township Committee reinforced how much effective governance depends on that approach. You have to weigh competing needs, ask hard questions about spending, and explain decisions to people who may disagree with you. You also need to work constructively with your colleagues and the professionals responsible for carrying out those decisions. Liz and Will understand that leadership requires both responsiveness to the community and sustained attention to the work itself.
Our district faces significant challenges, particularly around its budget. As a parent, I want strong schools that meet our children’s needs. As a former municipal official, I understand the financial pressures on our residents and the difficult choices ahead. Liz and Will have each served one term, and the experience they’ve gained matters. They bring a clearer understanding of what effective oversight requires and valuable continuity as the Board tackles these challenges. I’m glad they’re running again.
I am also proud to endorse first time candidate Kevin Diaz for our school board. Kevin is deeply committed to supporting students with special education needs and their families, preserving our district’s intentional integration initiative, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. He understands the importance of listening to different perspectives, finding common ground, and working collaboratively with all board members. I believe Kevin will bring empathy, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to equity and accountability to our board of education.
I hope you’ll join me in voting for Liz Callahan, Will Meyer, and Kevin Diaz.
Thank you,
Deb Engel
Former Maplewood Deputy Mayor
Democratic Nominee for Essex County Commissioner At-Large
