EDISON, NJ – After four years of dedicated service to the Edison Board of Education, Biral Patel has announced he will not seek reelection, choosing to focus on his extensive volunteer work and community service initiatives.
Patel’s tenure on the board was marked by his commitment to the well-being of students, educators, and the community at large. In particular, his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic garnered significant recognition. Patel played a pivotal role in securing vaccination appointments for both educators and staff, and he formed a volunteer group that facilitated vaccinations for over 1,400 Edison residents. Furthermore, he spearheaded COVID-19 relief efforts, ensuring residents had access to food, medications, PPE, and other essential resources.
Beyond his work on the school board, Patel boasts a remarkable two-decade history of volunteerism and community engagement. He holds a master’s degree in computer science with over 30 professional certifications and works in information technology at a Global Fortune 500 company. Patel is also a dedicated Dale Carnegie instructor, coaching countless individuals in effective communication and human relations. His commitment to STEM education is evident in his active participation in Discover Engineering, an IBM program fostering science and engineering education in New Jersey middle schools.
“Biral was always supportive of teachers and support staff, always supportive of education and was instrumental in supporting Read Across America” said Jeff Bowden who recently retired after being the Edison Teacher’s Education Association President for 12 years said. “Every year he would read to at least 3 classes in every elementary school in the district, the teachers and support staff saw his effort and greatly appreciated it.”
While Patel’s decision not to seek reelection marks the end of his formal role on the school board, his dedication to serving the Edison community remains unwavering. He is expected to continue his volunteer work and community service initiatives, leveraging his skills and experience to positively impact the lives of Edison residents.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Edison Board of Education,” Patel stated. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished together, despite my dedication to doing good and helping people, navigating the financial demands of running for election this year is not feasible for me. I am confident that the board will continue to make decisions in the best interests of our students and community. For those who know me, I am always reachable and available to try to help them in any way I can. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. While I will not seek reelection at this point, my commitment to serving Edison remains as strong as ever.”
