The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District is a regional, four-year public high school district, that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from twelve municipalities in northern Hunterdon County. Students in the district are from Bethlehem Township, Califon Borough, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Glen Gardner Borough, Hampton Borough, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Borough, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township, and Union Township.The district s Board of Education, comprised of 12 members, sets policy and oversees the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. Board members are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with four seats up for election each year. The Board appoints a superintendent to oversee the day-to-day operation of the district. Seats on the board are allocated to the constituent municipalities and are assigned weighted votes based on population. Clinton Town, Franklin Township, and Glen Gardner Borough are allocated two seats among them.
Slogan
Students Come First
Involvement in Community
Chairperson for the Clinton Playground committee, girl scout troop co-leader, volunteer youth soccer and softball coach, church deacon, board member for Family Promise of Warren County.
The board's main responsibility is to promote public education and serve as an advocate for the students, parents, and taxpayers of the NH-V School District, as well as the school district and its staff. The board serves as a liaison between the two, guaranteeing transparency and clear communication at all levels. Furthermore, the board is also responsible for working to determine yearly district goals, setting policy, approving the budget for the district, hiring the superintendent and evaluating their performance through the year.
Three important qualities of a district superintendent would be dedication, experience, and integrity.
Dedication - Commitment to securing the financial and educational resources the school district needs to provide a high quality, top-tier public education for all students and all learning abilities is crucial to the success of the students and the district as a whole.
Experience - In order to effectively do their job at maintaining the day to day functioning of the district, the superintendent should know what it is like to be in the classrooms with the students. Understanding the challenges the staff and students face on a daily basis will help the superintendent better serve and advocate for them.
Integrity - Knowing that the superintendent will do the right thing, even when it is hard, is integral to a cohesive relationship between them, the district staff, the board, and the citizens they serve. It builds trust in their commitment to excellence, knowing that in difficult situations, the superintendent will do what is right, even when it might not be the easy thing to do.
It is important that each student has access to an age-appropriate comprehensive education that encompasses a broad array of information. Every parent has a right to have a say in the educational materials and books their children will have access to during their education. I understand that some parents may object to certain materials being used during that education, while other parents may not object to these same materials. We need to hold space for each of these views, understanding that each parent should have the opportunity to be heard and their decisions respected. As a board member, I would carefully and intently review any challenged books or material, listen to the concerns of my constituents, and abide by state and district policies, as well as state laws, regarding the issue.
From a young age, I was taught the importance of volunteerism and giving back to others. I have come to deeply appreciate the impact that can have on a community and have carried that lesson on through my life. I believe I can have a profound effect on the board through my ability to understand different perspectives, which can help drive conversation, so we can all work together to foster a better experience for everyone. As a 20-year science professional in the quality field, I have collaborated with other career scientists and learned how to actively listen and openly communicate with them, witnessing the impact of these skills on finding solutions to the issues at hand. Serving on the NH-V BOE will allow me the opportunity to bring my skills and passion for community involvement to the board, providing our students with the resources and support they need to excel in high school, regardless of learning ability, and in life afterwards.
The advent of AI has been groundbreaking in many industries and professions, including in education. For instance, AI can be used to drive differentiated learning in the classroom, helping to create lesson plans and topics for discussion on multiple subject matters. Teachers can also use AI to ensure that students do not fall through the cracks, noting any learning difficulties and allowing them to be caught early so interventions can be offered where needed. From there, it can be used to help specialize the learning curriculum for those students, establishing more personalized support so each student can learn in a way that is right for them.
Students need to be taught the benefits and limitations of AI, as well as how it should and should not be used. It can be beneficial in helping break down complex topics the student may not fully understand, and to help drive critical thought processes and give direction. However, we need to promote integrity in all work. AI should never be utilized by a student as a do-all method for completing assignments.
