This month, Andover News is publishing profiles of the candidates running for select board and school committee in the 2024 Andover Town Election on March 26 to help voters make decisions. You can also view all Andover News election coverage.
Responses are from a questionnaire sent to all candidates in February and, in some cases, have been edited for length and clarity. Today’s profile is from Jayashree Mohandas, who is one of five candidates running for two open seats on the school committee.
All Andover News coverage of the town election on March 26 will be available free to non-subscribers as a service to Andover voters. Please consider supporting local news by subscribing to Andover News.
The Basics
Family: Husband (Prem Balasubramanian) and two kids
Education: Masters in Engineering
Occupation: Manager, Business Intelligence
Previous Candidate Profiles
- Ellen Keller, select board
- Ellen Townson, select board
- George Thorlin, select board
- Shauna Murray, school committee
- Lauren Diffenbach, school committee
- Susan McCready, school committee
- Christopher Shepley, school committee
Qualifications for Office
What prompted you to run for elect office?
I have a long history of service for our schools and have been volunteering in the community for the past 8 years in various capacities and I’m invested in advocating for resources, caring about curriculum and caring for our teachers. I have served on multiple PTOs/PACs, on on the school and district’s C3 committees and am the President of the Andover Coalition of Education. As a manager in the tech field, I have honed my skills as a collaborator and communicator. As an engineer who was educated at the primary and secondary level outside the US, I truly understands the skills our students need to succeed in an increasingly global workforce. I look forward to expanding my service to the community by running for Andover School Committee and will be a strong advocate for all Andover Youth.
On the Issues
What are the most important issues facing Andover Public Schools that the school committee will need to address in the next three-year term?
- Equity in education – the district has launched an audit of the same within the district
- High School Facility – short term and long term solution to address educational impacts because of the lack of infrastructure
- Budget – ensuring a well balanced budget so district can continue to work on it’s strategic plan and continue to invest in initiatives to support student learning
What other issues do you feel are important in this election and/or your specific race?
Work on creating a more collaborative relationship between the AEA Leadership and the Administration to ensure we can elevate student learning
What differentiates you from your opponents?
I am an Engineer and understand the importance of a rigorous curriculum as we prepare students to go out into a truly global workforce. I’m also a manager in a STEM field and manage a budget and people so I truly underastand the nuances of finance and have honed my collaborative and communication skills by working respectfully with people of differing opinions. I have been volunteering in various capacities in the district for the past 8 years and have seen first hand the dedication of the educators and understand the SC’s governing policies. I am not a one issue candidate and am here to support ALL Andover youth.
What else should voters know about you and your campaign?
I have a proven track record of service to this community and envision a town where every child has access to quality education. We moved to Andover for the school system as a young family and am invested in making our schools a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all our students where they can thrive and learn the skills needed to make them kind and responsible citizens of the world.
Key Dates For The 2024 Town Election
The town election is scheduled for March 26. The last day to register to vote in the 2023 Andover election was March 16, 2023. You can register to vote online or by visiting the Town Clerk’s office.
March 26: Election Day. Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (completed mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day).
More election information from the Town of Andover.