Five candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three seats on the Moorestown board of education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The winners will serve three-year terms. Board President Mark Villanueva is not running for reelection.
The candidates – incumbent Claudine Leone Morano, Saima Bhutta, incumbent Danielle Miller, Aysha Hasan and Caitlin Berman – were each asked to complete an election questionnaire. Answers are lightly edited for space.
Name: Claudine Leone Morano
Age: 57
How many years have you lived in Moorestown? 21
Family: Ralph and I are married 27 years. We have two sons, Alec, 24, who graduated from Penn State, and Eric, 18, who graduated from Moorestown High School in 2025 and now attends Auburn University. We also have two rescue pups, Leo and Maggie.
School and degree: Bachelor’s degree in finance and international business from Northeastern University (1991), juris doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law (1995).
Profession: I am the founder of Government Affairs Counsel, an advocacy firm representing nonprofits, helping them cut through government red tape and navigate the intricacies of state government regulations and legislative/executive branch actions. My knowledge of Trenton, the New Jersey Department of Education and policy has been an asset to the Moorestown board of education during my tenure.
How many years/terms have you served as board member?
I have served on the board since April 2022, when I was appointed by the board members to fill a vacancy. I subsequently was elected by Moorestown voters for a full three-year term that began in January 2023.
What is your involvement in the community?
In addition to serving on the board, I’ve been actively involved in Moorestown’s schools and community for over 20 years. I’ve supported home-and-school events, managed youth and high-school sports teams, organized block parties and coordinated community service projects for local youth and Moorestown High athletes. These hands-on experiences reflect my commitment to Moorestown and dedication to fostering a connected, supportive community.
Why are you running again?
As a board of education member, my focus is ensuring every student leaves Moorestown with a strong foundation to succeed, no matter what their path after high school. Hearing my son say, “Moorestown prepared me well,” reminds me why student-centered policies matter. From reevaluating curriculum and improving communication to removing cell phones from classrooms, I support practical changes that boost focus and critical thinking. It’s not just about policy – it’s about listening. Students and parents deserve to be heard and help shape our decisions. With voter support, I’ll continue to keep students at the heart of every decision.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?
As chair of the board of ed policy committee, I led the development of the new cell phone policy to reduce distractions, support staff and help students focus. I remain dedicated to advancing policies that promote academic success, critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning. Preparing students and staff for responsible use of AI is a priority for me. With the upcoming referendum projects and a new strategic plan, Moorestown needs an experienced, fiscally responsible board to guide its future and oversee this critical investment. I’m committed to serving our community with dedication and care to ensure continued success.
Name: Saima Abrar Bhutta
Age: 59
How many years have you lived in Moorestown? 19
Family: Husband and three children.
School and degree: Doctor of Medical Science in advanced clinical practice
Profession: Physician assistant
Is this the first time you’ve run for a board of ed seat? Yes
What is your involvement in the community?
I am a longtime resident of Moorestown with a deep love and a sense of giving back to the community that has given me and my family so much. My three boys have gone through the Moorestown school system. I am intimately aware of the great strengths and needs of our schools and our community. I serve on the Sustainable Moorestown Committee, organizing health and wellness fairs. With the support of our township council, I have organized and run testing sites at the peak of COVID. With the support of the Moorestown Community House, First Baptist and Trinity churches, I run food and clothing drives. I have been involved with our district’s schools and frequently volunteer as a room parent. My husband and I have hosted and coached school robotic clubs at our home and volunteered and supported high-school wrestling and swimming teams. I found and chaired a nonprofit, United we Serve, and regularly organize community events.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have called Moorestown Home for 19 years. Along the way, I have launched community service initiatives across our community and I served as a Sunday school teacher helping children learn and grow. I am uniquely qualified to understand and navigate local changes. I am running to expand mentorship opportunities, strengthen guidance access and help our students achieve. With my experience, compassion and commitment, I am ready to serve Moorestown families and help shape a stronger future for our children.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I believe the board of education works best when its nine members function as a team, and I will be a collaborative voice always focused on putting students first. I will concentrate on holding our administrative team accountable for continuous improvement and maintaining high levels of excellence, especially as we face new facilities, technological challenges, possible re-districting and enrollment growth. Drawing on my experience in community building, I will also work to expand mentorship opportunities, strengthen guidance access and support every student’s achievement and well-being.
Name: Danielle Miller
Age: 41
How many years have you lived in Moorestown? 14
Family: I have four children with my husband, Chris: Matthew, John, Charlotte and Olivia.
School and degrees: University of Pennsylvania, master’s in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Villanova University, bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.
Profession: Structural analysis engineer at a global aerospace company, providing both production and post-production engineering support to military aircraft for the U.S. and international customers.
How many years/terms have you served on the board?
I am currently in the third year of my first term as a member of the board and I am honored to serve as the vice president, a role to which I was elected by fellow members. I have chaired the curriculum committee for the past two years and served on the finance and operations committee. I have chaired the negotiations committee that settled the current teachers’ contract and participated in negotiations for the current administrator’s contract.
What is your involvement in the community?
Since 2019, I have served as a catechist at Our Lady of Good Counsel. I also volunteer with youth sports programs in town and participate in STEM outreach initiatives designed to engage and inspire young learners.
Why are you seeking reelection?
With a professional background in engineering, I bring a data-driven, analytical approach to problem solving. I am proficient at evaluating risk; asking critical questions; and making informed, thoughtful decisions, always guided by what best serves our students. As my first term on the board draws to a close, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to building on that momentum. The learning curve is steep and the commitment is significant, but I will continue to approach the role with dedication and a clear focus on putting students first in every decision.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?
If reelected, one area I’d like to focus on is ensuring our district continues to uphold high educational standards and provide strong programming for all students. Every student has unique learning styles and needs, and to help each one reach their full potential, it’s essential that they are all supported and appropriately challenged throughout every stage of their educational journey.
Name: Aysha Hasan
Age: 42
How many years have you lived in Moorestown? Four and a half
Family: I live with my husband, Irfan Malik, and our two young children, Zaydan (7) and Lana (5).
School and degrees: I completed my residency training in anesthesiology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. I also pursued two specialized fellowships.
Profession: I am a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in pediatric anesthesiology, pediatric acute pain management and regional anesthesiology.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat on the board? Yes
What is your involvement in the community?
I deeply love our community and get involved wherever I’m needed. I contribute to the home and school association and helped establish the nonprofit Moorestown Muslims. I attended nearly 90% of the board of education meetings last year and joined neighbors at Moorestown’s National Night Out. At Main Street’s food truck festival, my husband and I assisted in a medical situation and were recognized by the Moorestown police for our efforts. I’m always ready to step up for my community.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I’m running to restore transparency and accountability. Too often, vital issues get sidetracked by secrecy, leaving families and our community uninformed and excluded. I’ve built medical divisions and community organizations from the ground up and led them to success, bringing genuine, people-first leadership. I believe in decisions made openly, nonpartisan and with our children and community as the only priority. It’s time to end abuses of power and center governance on trust.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
My top priority will be restoring openness, especially as our board weighs a critical bond referendum to fund full-day kindergarten, safety upgrades and safer learning spaces. Every vote matters, and citizens deserve clear, timely information on decisions affecting schools and neighborhoods. I will be open, honest and consistently accessible, ensuring you know what’s happening and why. No more decisions made behind closed doors. I’ll invite public dialogue on every issue and foster meaningful input. Together, we’ll align our board’s actions with Moorestown’s high standards and community values.
Name: Caitlin “Caty” Berman
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Moorestown? Just over 17
Family: My husband Andy and I have three children who all attend Moorestown schools. Our oldest is a junior at the high school, we have an eighth grader and our youngest is in fifth grade.
School and degree: I received my undergrad degree from Hamilton College and have a master’s in education from Boston University.
Profession: I was an educator before we had children and have been a stay-at-home parent since my oldest was born.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a board seat?
I ran last year as well and also went out for an open seat a few years ago when a board member stepped down mid-term.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been actively involved in the Moorestown community and in the schools for many years. I have been an active home and school member in the 12 years that my children have attended Moorestown schools. I have had leadership positions at the district level, including chairing major fundraising programs, as well as at individual schools, and I brought new programs to South Valley, including No Food Left Behind and Recess Runners. I have been a soccer coach in Moorestown for over 10 years and have been a board member for the Moorestown Soccer Club for six years. Beyond the community, I am volunteering with an after-school summer program in Camden to assist in the opening of a food pantry.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have always been passionate about educating young people as well as serving the community that I live in. I have done both of those on many levels during my time as a Moorestown resident, and throughout my life. With my background in education and my experience and understanding of how different school systems and environments function and succeed, I will bring a much-needed perspective to the board.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If elected, I will prioritize collaboration and transparency so families, educators and the community can work together toward what’s best for our students. I want to ensure the board communicates openly, listens carefully and makes decisions that reflect the needs of the whole community. I also believe every child deserves an equitable, inclusive education in a safe environment. I will bring problem-solving skills, a collaborative approach and my experience as an educator to strengthen our schools for all students.
