Tom Brooks

Former mayor endorses Brooks for West Morris Regional School Board

October 20, 2025

 

TO THE EDITOR:

      A national Political Action Committee (PAC) with over $9 million raised in the last two-plus years should not be meddling in Mendham Borough’s local election of a West Morris Regional High School board representative. We need to send them “PAC”ing and re-elect our local leader to the board, Tom Brooks. Tom’s local experience has delivered repeatedly for our small town.

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     Tom is a tireless volunteer in Mendham Borough. He has coached girls and boys sports, served as an assistant scoutmaster and mentored Eagle Scouts and girl scouts seeking their Gold Award, and works hard for the Borough Library. However, it is his work on the board that really stands out.

 

     During Tom’s tenure, highly regarded Mendham High School has delivered outstanding value to our students. Its music and world language programs have received awards, its mock trial team continues to win competitions at an astounding pace and unified sports have been added. It has received a state grant as a leader in AI integration. Its students do well on tests such as the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement, and it is currently ranked 20th among comprehensive public high schools in New Jersey.

 

     Almost lost in these accomplishments are the many improvements to Mendham High facilities. Auditorium lights and sound upgraded, stadium lights added, bleachers replaced, a new turf field installed, the track completely replaced, culinary arts room upgraded, new energy efficient lights installed, a new science room added, the boiler replaced, bathrooms refurbished, and the media center upgraded. Our students and residents can and should be proud.

 

      Tom has also delivered value to our taxpayers. In most years, the tax increase was at or under 2 percent despite soaring healthcare, transportation and supply chain costs. As Finance Committee chair, Tom is an instrumental part of initiatives to manage district costs through timely debt refinancing, a shift in health care providers, a financing plan that pays for the new lighting with the energy cost savings and staff restructurings. 

 

     Tom knows the West Morris Regional High School District. His platform focuses on issues important to the district’s success: hiring the best teachers in a tough market, adapting programs to integrate new technology such as AI, respecting different viewpoints, encouraging compromise and helping students become resilient, engaged lifetime learners.

 

      His opponent, Henry Niemczyk, does not know the district as is evidenced by his reliance on the Virginia-based national 1776 Project PAC to support his campaign and provide his platform. Mr. Niemczyk sought and received endorsement by the PAC, which has sent many of us texts and a mailer.

 

      Pay close attention to the financial disclosure on those contacts: “This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent, or in consultation with or at the request or suggestion of any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of a candidate.” Simply put, this national PAC knows nothing about Mendham Borough or the high school yet they are telling us who to elect and what issues are important. Really?

 

     Tom Brooks knows our town and the high school, and his local experience delivers value for students and taxpayers. He deserves to be re-elected on Nov. 4 as the Mendham Borough representative on the Regional High School Board. His name appears second on the ballot for the West Morris Regional School Board.

 

NEIL HENRY

Sterling Avenue

Mendham

Editor's note: The writer is the former Mendham mayor.