Millburn School Board Candidate Profile: Cynthia Longley Richards

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn residents have some big choices to make in November: who will serve on the board of education?

Millburn is among the New Jersey towns holding a school board contest as part of the 2026 general election. Seven candidates have filed to run for three open seats on the Millburn Board of Education, including Cynthia Longley Richards.

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Longley Richards recently shared some background with Patch about her qualifications and plans if elected.

PATCH: What qualifications and background make you a good fit for the position?

CYNTHIA LONGLEY RICHARDS: Three years ago, I ran for the board of education because I believed Millburn could do more to ensure that every student felt supported and had the opportunity to reach their highest potential. After serving on the board for three years, I remain just as committed to that goal—and I now bring the experience of having worked collaboratively with fellow board members and our administration to move many of those ideas forward.

I am an educator and mental health professional, a parent of two sons in the district, and an active member of the Millburn community. My perspective as an educator is particularly important to how I approach board service. I understand that children learn differently, develop at different rates and find success in different ways. Some students thrive in the most advanced academic classes. Others find their passion in music, art, athletics or other activities. Some need additional academic or emotional support along the way. I believe an excellent school district needs to recognize and support all of them.

My family has deep ties to Millburn. I grew up in neighboring Maplewood, and my father and siblings graduated from Millburn High School. My family moved to Millburn in 2015 because of its schools, and today my two sons attend our district schools.

I'm also very involved in the community outside of the board. I've been a longtime volunteer and leader with Rocktoberfest and served as a team manager for the Millburn Bluefish.

Serving on the board for the past three years has added another dimension to all of those experiences. I've learned how to turn community concerns into productive conversations with administrators, how policy can affect a student's day-to-day experience, and how meaningful change requires collaboration, persistence and an understanding of how a school district works.

PATCH: What are your plans if elected?

CYNTHIA LONGLEY RICHARDS: Three years ago, I said I wanted all students across the Millburn Schools to feel successful and supported in reaching their highest potential. That remains my priority.

During my first term, the district expanded access to AP, honors, dual enrollment and other coursework; expanded guidance services; created additional pathways to calculus and physics; made changes to grading and test corrections; strengthened consistency across our elementary schools; and increased attention to the overall student experience.

There is more work to do.

I want to bring the same attention we have given to improving the high school experience to the middle school, particularly around access, grading, assessments and preparing students for the transition to MHS. I want assessments to reflect what students have been taught, be timed appropriately and give students opportunities to learn from their mistakes while maintaining high standards and academic integrity.

I also want to continue advocating for the students whose interests and talents extend beyond traditional academic measures. Music, the arts, athletics, clubs and enrichment opportunities are not extras—they are an important part of how many children find their confidence, community and sense of belonging.

Technology is another area where we need to be thoughtful. As both an educator and parent, I believe we need to embrace technology where it improves learning while also recognizing that developing minds need books, human interaction, creativity, critical thinking and opportunities to learn without a screen. I still use pencil and paper to write my notes!

Most importantly, I want us to keep asking the same question when we make decisions: How will this affect our students and their experience in our schools?

PATCH: What is one thing about the Millburn school district that always makes you smile?

CYNTHIA LONGLEY RICHARDS: Our students.

As a teacher, parent, board member and community volunteer, I get to see our students in so many different settings—not just sitting behind desks. I see them performing music, competing on fields and in pools, volunteering, helping younger students and discovering things they genuinely love.

I especially love seeing a student outside of school and hearing, "Mrs. Longley!" It reminds me that education is fundamentally about relationships and children—not rankings, numbers or policies.

We have incredibly talented kids in Millburn, but what makes me smile most is seeing them find the place where they shine.

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