Three members were sworn into the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education during a reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jason Benedict (Fanwood), John Greenblatt (Scotch Plains), and Stephanie Suriani (Scotch Plains) were officially sworn in to serve three-year terms on the nine-member Board. 

“We are fortunate to have Mr. Benedict, Mr. Greenblatt, and Mrs. Suriani on the Board of Education,” said Superintendent Dr. Joan Mast. “Their diverse experiences and perspectives will be an asset as we continue to take a student-focused approach and plan for the long-term success of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools.” 
 

Jason Benedict 

Benedict has lived in Fanwood for nearly two decades and is currently the Associate Vice President for IT and Global Chief Information Security Officer at Fordham University. He has one son who is in 11th grade at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (SPFHS). 

After serving a short-term appointment on the Board since June 2025, Benedict said he was eager to continue his service because of his strong belief in public service and ensuring the schools reflect the values and future goals of the community. 

“In the coming years, I look forward to continuing to strengthen transparency and communication between the district and the families we serve,” he said. “I am also excited to help the district through the important strategic planning work that has begun, contribute to thoughtful discussions around technology integration, enhancement of our STEM programs and support smart decisions regarding our district facilities.” 

 

John Greenblatt 

Greenblatt, a first-time member of the Board, has lived in Scotch Plains for 12 years and has two daughters, ages 7 and 10. He worked for over two decades in Human Resources and is now the founder of Five Star Resume LLC. 

Greenblatt said he is committed to listening, collaborating and making thoughtful, student-centered decisions that support SPF in its mission to be a high-performing district. 

“I was motivated to serve on the Board of Education because I believe every student in our community deserves access to a high-quality, well-rounded education supported by outstanding teachers and strong school leadership,” he said. “As both a parent and an engaged community member, I want to leverage my professional experience to drive efficiency, operational excellence, and sound financial decision-making.” 

 

Stephanie Suriani  

Suriani, a social worker with two children in 8th and 12th grade, has lived in Scotch Plains for 19 years. She has served on the Board of Education for nine years and is proud of the quality of SPF schools and the commitment to high-quality education. 

“In the coming years, I’m looking forward to continuing to address the priorities and challenges that currently face the district, such as space constraints and evolving curricular needs, like AI integration,” she said. “One of my favorite parts about being on the Board is having the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and exposure to curricular innovation and student success.” 

 

The Board’s reorganization comes at a pivotal time as the district focuses on long-term facility planning and embarks on the development of a new Strategic Plan that will establish goals for the next five years. This includes the opening of La Grande Elementary School for preschool classes and the reconfiguration of the grade levels at the middle schools to accommodate an enrollment surge. 

Dr. Mast congratulated the newly sworn-in members and thanked the full Board (President Evan Murray, Vice President Tonya Williams, Sonali Barve, Amy Boroff, Deb Brody, and Karen Kulikowski). 

“January is School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey, making it a perfect time to publicly recognize the unwavering commitment and service of our Board members,” Mast said. “The entire Board demonstrates an exceptional level of dedication to SPF students and their communities.”