Jessica Melwani
for Port Washington Board of Education
Good sense for great schools.
After years of service to our students, schools and community—some of the proudest and most fulfilling work of my life— I am excited to run for a seat on the Port Washington Board of Education. This was not a decision I made lightly. It’s a big job that requires a lot of time, effort, patience and hard choices. It demands a collaborative spirit and an ability to look beyond one’s own needs to serve all students and our community. It's time for a new voice at the table, and I hope you'll trust me with the job.
ABOUT ME
Responsible. Results-driven. Ready.
When my family moved to Port Washington in 2015, it felt like coming home. I was born in Port and, whether by coincidence or fate, moved back to the same street on which I lived until the age of five. My two boys, now in 4th and 7th grades at Manorhaven and Weber, have attended Port schools since Kindergarten. I'm in this for the long haul.
I believe deeply in the power of public education to transform children’s lives and provide the strongest foundation for success in the world that awaits them... because I experienced it myself.
I’m a proud product of K-12 public education, and received my Bachelors of Arts in Latin from Harvard College and a Masters of Science in Journalism from Columbia University. A 20-year career in book publishing, journalism and Thought Leadership helped me hone essential skills: listening closely, building relationships, seeking balanced perspectives, reading between the lines, quickly evaluating complex information and asking tough questions to hold institutions and their leaders accountable.
Since moving to Port Washington a decade ago, I have dedicated myself to serving our school community, first as co-president of the Manorhaven PTA, then as co-president of the Port Washington Parents’ Council and now as vice president of Outreach for the Parents’ Council and vice president of strategic planning for The Ed. Foundation. Fellow bookworms may recognize me as one of the moderators of the Friends of the Library’s “Port BookFOLks” Facebook group.
Community Leadership
Port Washington Parents' Council
Established the districtwide Pre-K & Elementary Toy Drive, now an important annual tradition.
Created the PW Angel Network to more efficiently serve families across the District, reducing the financial impact of acute need on every school community.
Started the PW Community Outreach Roundtable, a monthly forum for local outreach providers, parent organizations and school district personnel to collaborate and work more efficiently for Port Washington families.
Launched the Parents’ Council newsletter, the first weekly, districtwide communication, increasing connection across the District.
Led the charge to secure district-funded school supplies in the 2023-24 school year, cutting costs for families from ~$75 to ~$20/student.
Manorhaven Elementary School PTA
Responsibly managed the PTA’s operating budget through the pandemic, the most challenging and uncertain fundraising climate in years, leaving the organization in a stronger financial position at the end of my term.
Improved language access for our parent community at no cost to the PTA, school or District.
Implemented the first building-level initiative dedicated to increasing connection and belonging across the Manorhaven school community, through parent, teacher and administrator collaboration.
Livestreamed PTA meetings to improve access for working parents, more than tripling meeting participation in the years before Zoom was readily available.
District contributions
Over the years, I have served on more than 20 District committees, including:
Manorhaven Compact Committee, Manorhaven Building Protocols Committee (pandemic planning), Manorhaven Title I/ESSA Annual Review Committee
District Protocols Committee (pandemic planning), Playground Committee, Safety & Substance Abuse Taskforce, School Counseling/Guidance Advisory Committee, District Equity Team, Nutrition Committee, District Safety Committee, Innovation Taskforce
Board of Education's Legislative Task Force (including the Foundation Aid sub-committee)
Eight District hiring committees
MY COMMITMENT
I will roll up my sleeves to do the work of efficient, responsible decision-making that puts students first.
I know how to make change in our District, because I've done it before. I have spent the last decade building bridges within our community, achieving real impact through collaboration, and using resources creatively and efficiently to solve tough problems while reducing wasted time and money.
I am comfortable with the complexities of governance and will put in the time and effort that strong oversight and policymaking requires.
I hope you'll reach out or say "hello" around town. You can reliably find me in the Schreiber Auditorium for Board of Education meetings or at the Daly Annex for subcommittee meetings, where I have consistently kept close watch of our District administration, advocated for the needs of all Port Washington students, educators and families, and championed the partnerships that hold the keys to educational excellence.
LET'S CONNECT!
Keep in touch. Join the team. Vote.
Let's get to know each other...
Please join the team and help get the word out in our community! Whatever you do, don't forget to vote on May 20 (Weber Middle School, 6:00am-9:00pm).
© 2025 Jess 4 Port. All Rights Reserved.
