Melanie Gaskins, Kristina Kroot, & Mitch Larsen for Merchantville BOE

Melanie Gaskins

It has been an honor for Melanie Gaskins to serve the students, families, and staff of Merchantville as a member of the Board of Education. She is proud to be seeking a third term because she believes Merchantville's schools play a vital role in shaping not only students' academic success but also the future of the community.

As a mother, educator, and current Vice President of the Merchantville Board of Education, Melanie brings both professional expertise and personal investment to every decision she makes. Every vote is guided by one simple question: What is in the best interest of our students?

For nearly a decade, Melanie has dedicated her career to public education, teaching students in grades 1–5 and now serving as a Math Specialist in the Mount Laurel School District. Along the way, she was honored to be named Teacher of the Year in 2020. Before entering education, Melanie spent 12 years performing in Broadway National Tours, where she developed the perseverance, collaboration, and adaptability that continue to shape her leadership today.

Throughout her service, Melanie has worked to ensure that children have access to meaningful learning opportunities, educators feel supported, and families have a voice. She believes strong schools are built through thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, transparent communication, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives while keeping students at the center of every decision.

Melanie is seeking a third term because she believes the work of strengthening public education is never finished. As education continues to evolve, she remains committed to continuous learning, thoughtful problem-solving, and long-term planning. She will continue to advocate for high-quality educational opportunities, support the well-being of students and staff, and help ensure that Merchantville remains a district where every child is known, valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Melanie would be honored to earn the trust and support of the Merchantville community and continue working alongside fellow board members, educators, families, and residents to provide the very best for Merchantville's children.

Kristina Kroot

Kristina Kroot is asking for the community's support for a third term, continuing work she cares deeply about on behalf of the district's students, families, and staff. She believes Merchantville's schools play a vital role not only in shaping students' academic success but in shaping the future of the community itself. It has been a privilege and honor to serve on the Merchantville Board of Education for the last 6 years.

As a mother and strategic communications professional, Kristina brings both professional expertise and personal investment to every decision she makes. Every vote is guided by one simple question: what is in the best interest of our students? Kristina is a married mom to two daughters, currently in 1st and 5th at Merchantville's school. Originally from Long Island, she has called Merchantville home for the last 7 years. She holds an MBA and an M.A. in Psychology, and this fall she begins graduate studies in Public Affairs and Community Development at Rutgers-Camden. Over nearly 20 years, her career has spanned marketing leadership, clinical research, and governance work, and she currently works as an independent policy analyst and communications strategist, and runs her own architectural and interior photography business.

Throughout her service, Kristina has worked to ensure that every student has access to meaningful learning opportunities, that educators feel supported, and that students, families, and educators have a real voice in the direction of their school. She believes strong schools are built through thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, transparent communication, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives while always keeping students at the center of every decision.

Kristina is seeking a third term because she believes the work of strengthening public education is never finished. She remains committed to continuous learning, thoughtful problem-solving, and long-term planning on behalf of Merchantville's children. She will continue to advocate for high-quality educational opportunities, support the well-being of students and staff, and help ensure that Merchantville remains a district where every child is known, valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Kristina would be honored to earn the trust and support of the Merchantville community and continue working alongside fellow board members, educators, families, and residents to provide the very best for Merchantville's children.

Mitch Larsen

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