Six candidates will vie for three, three-year term seats on the Cinnaminson school board in the election on Nov. 4.
Three candidates – Daniel Pascal, Edyta Poplawski, and incumbent Eileen Bleistine – are running on the slogan Integrity-Transparency-Accountability, and three candidates – incumbent Michael Bramhall, Mary Tadley and Robert McGough – are running on the slogan Listening-Learning-Leading.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. They were asked to complete a questionnaire that has been lightly edited for space.
Name: Eileen Bleistine
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? 43
Family: I am a proud mother of five.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree, Certificate of Eligibility to teach health and physical education, former Certified Athletic Trainer.
Profession: Substitute teacher in local districts, former teacher in public and private schools, former Probation Officer and Court Services Supervisor II with the New Jersey Judiciary.
Have you ever run for a board seat?: I was elected in 2024 to serve a one-year, unexpired term.
Community involvement: Board member serving on Curriculum/Student Activities Committee, Facilities/Transportation Committee and Referendum Subcommittee. Completed multiple New Jersey School Boards Association trainings, volunteer with Marianist Family Retreat Center, recognized with Burlington County Judiciary Customer Service Award.
Why are you running again?
I am proud to call Cinnaminson home and want to continue giving back by serving families with transparency, accountability and integrity. Serving on the board is an important responsibility, requiring adherence to rules, ethics and laws, while making decisions that impact students and the community. My experience as an educator, qthletic trainer, and Court Services Supervisor, along with New Jersey School Boards Association training, has prepared me to analyze complex issues and guide district priorities. I am committed to student success, ensuring families are heardcand maintaining the community’s trust in our schools.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?
My focus will be on strengthening transparency and communication with the entire Cinnaminson community. Families, teachers and taxpayers deserve clear, timely and accessible information about board decisions, policies and budgets. Drawing on my experience as an educator, I will provide thoughtful oversight, advocate for students and ensure that policies and decisions reflect the best interests of Cinnaminson students while maintaining accountability and community trust.
Name: Michael Bramhall
Age: 48
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? 20
Family: Wife Alison Bramhall, five children, Isabel, Cecily, Bentley, Lydia and Barrett.
Education: B.S. in Sociology from Utah State University; degree from Delaware Law School, Widener University.
Profession: I am an attorney who works in house at Intact Insurance managing surety bond claims.
Have you ever run for a board seat?: I have served on the school board for the last seven years. I was elected to a one-year term, then elected twice to serve three, three-year terms.
Community involvement: Prior to my school board service, I spent many years coaching my children’s Cinnaminson soccer teams. My family and I are very involved in the community music and theater programs. My children participate in both school and community theater and my wife has volunteered for years in costuming the shows at Cinnaminson Middle School.
Why are you running again?
It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the school board. As a father of five children who have either graduated or are currently attending school in the district, I am passionate about the quality of education they receive. I believe that Cinnaminson has some of the best schools in the area. As a board, we have accomplished some great things over the last seven years, but we still have work to do. I believe my education and experience make me uniquely qualified to continue serving on the school board.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?
My first priority is to continue to address the shortage of classroom space in our district. We are blessed to live in a district where people want to live and attend our schools. Our school population continues to grow. In recent years we expanded our kindergarten and preschool programs for families in Cinnaminson. This year we reopened the Memorial School to address our increased enrollment. Renovations and additional classroom space need to be constructed to ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend school in a safe and healthy environment.
Name: Robert “Bob” McGough
Age: 47
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? Life-long resident
Family: Married to Nicole, with two sons, Gavin and Jack.
Education: B.A.m Rowan University, M.Ed., Wilmington University
Profession: Currently a teacher at Moorestown High School. I have served there as a teacher, assistant principal and Work-Based Learning Coordinator.
Have you ever run for a seat on the board? No
Community involvement: I have been a coach and board member for Cinnaminson soccer and baseball, and served on the parks and recreation committee until its was dissolved and reformed.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I am running to give back to the community that has given me so much. With experience as a teacher, coach, administrator and advocate for students with special needs, I bring a well-rounded perspective to decision making. My goal is to support all students, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to succeed both in and out of the classroom. I am committed to fostering a strong partnership between families, educators and the community and to making thoughtful, student-centered choices that will positively impact our schools today and for the future.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
A key area of focus is ensuring our schools can meet the demands of a growing student population. With increased enrollment, we must find solutions to expand space and resources while being fiscally responsible. Rising costs of living and stagnant wages mean we need to be smart and efficient in our spending, prioritizing investments that directly benefit students and staff. Thoughtful planning, transparency, and community input will guide decisions that balance growth with affordability, ensuring Cinnaminson schools remain strong, sustainable and able to provide every student with the high-quality education they deserve now and in the future.
Name: Daniel Pascal
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? 28
Family: Married to Colleen, a lifelong Cinnaminson resident, with two adult sons who are both police officers in Burlington County.
Education: Graduate of Evesham Township schools, professional training in law enforcement.
Profession: Police officer for 27 years, former president and CFO of Pascal Automotive and Towing Services in Moorestown.
Community involvement: School Resource Officer (SRO) in Burlington City, working daily with students, parents, and staff. Leadership roles in law-enforcement labor organizations, including 14 years as Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge President and member of the state FOP executive board.
Why are you running for a seat on the board of education?
I love Cinnaminson and I want to continue giving back by ensuring our schools remain safe, transparent and accountable. My career as an SRO gives me first-hand insight into the needs of students, families and staff. Combined with my experience as a business owner and union leader, I am well prepared to oversee budgets, contracts and policies responsibly. I am committed to open communication, fiscal responsibility and policies that put students first, while working to build a stronger future for Cinnaminson.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
One key focus, if elected, is ensuring transparency and open communication with the entire Cinnaminson community. As a business leader with experience managing budgets and teams, I know the importance of clear, honest dialogue and accountability. Families, students, staff and taxpayers deserve to be fully informed and engaged in district decisions. My professional background has prepared me to ask tough questions, listen carefully and communicate effectively. I will work to ensure that every decision made by the board reflects the values of our community and keeps students at the center.
Name: Edyta “Edy” Poplawski
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? 4
Family: Married to Piotr, with three children.
Education: Graduate of Rutgers University’s Partners for Policymaking Program.
Professional: Business manager within financial services, with 20-plus years in operations, risk, process improvement and project management.
Community involvement: Member of Cinnaminson SEPAG; board of directors for Chromosome 9p Minus Network; previous board member of the Charolette Chapter of First Book, Engagement Chair within my firm’s Disability Action Network, advocate for disability inclusion, active in professional networks supporting women in leadership.
Why are you running for a seat on the board?
As a member of the Cinnaminson community, I want to continue giving back by ensuring all students learn in inclusive, supportive schools where families are heard and engaged. With over 20 years of experience in operations, risk and leadership, I am prepared to review budgets, develop policies and solve complex challenges. As a parent and advocate for students with disabilities, I value listening and clear communication. I am committed to representing the entire community, ensuring the board operates transparently, makes informed decisions and prioritizes students’ success and well-being in every action.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Transparency and effective communication will be my top priority. With decades of experience in management, leadership, strategy and organizational growth, I understand first hand how important it is for teachers, parents and students to trust that the board is open, honest and responsive. My personal and professional career focuses on building relationships, solving problems and advocating for students’ success. These skills directly prepare me to represent our community with integrity and clarity. I will work hard to ensure families and taxpayers are informed, involved and confident that decisions are made openly and in the best interests of Cinnaminson students.
Name: Mary Tadley
Age: 40
How many years have you lived in Cinnaminson Township? 28
Family: I have been married to my husband, Patrick, for 13 years, and we have three children, 10, 8 and 4 years old.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rowan University, where I also went on to complete my master’s in School Administration.
Profession: I am proud to serve as the principal of ET Hamilton Elementary School in Voorhees. This is my 18th year in the that district, where I began my career as a second- and third-grade teacher. I later had the privilege of serving as an assistant principal.
Community involvement: With three very involved children, I can usually be found on a sideline helping out in some capacity. We are also members of Pomona Swim Club and swim team, and I’m very involved with planning events as part of the social committee at the club.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I am running for this seat because, as an educator, I have dedicated the past 18 years of my career to making a difference in the community where I work. Now, I am eager to give back to the community where I live. With three children in the Cinnaminson Schools, I care deeply about the district’s future and the opportunities it provides for all students. I believe there is always room for growth and improvement in education, and I am confident that my experience and perspective will help move our schools forward.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I want to support the district as it addresses the important challenges of space and facilities in our schools. Cinnaminson is a growing community, something we can all be proud of, and families are choosing to live here because of our strong schools. To continue that tradition, we must ensure our facilities keep pace with both our increasing population and the needs of aging buildings. A high-quality education is the most valuable gift we can give our children, and the learning environments we provide should reflect that commitment.
