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Tewksbury Township School District {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The Tewksbury Township School District Board of Education is responsible to all the people for whose benefit the Tewksbury Public School District has been established. The Board of Education’s primary objective is to establish those purposes, programs, procedures, and facilities which will best produce the educational achievement needed by district students now and in the future. It is charged with accomplishing this while also being responsible for wise management of resources available to the district. The Board functions primarily as a legislative body to formulate and adopt policy, selecting a school superintendent to implement policy, and evaluating the results. Further, it must carry out its functions openly while seeking the involvement and contributions of the public, students and staff in this decision-making process. Members of the Board of are elected to three-year terms and normally three seats are up for election each spring. The nine-member Board is committed in principle to the objective that all students have an opportunity for learning that is consistent with each individual’s capabilities. It strives to maintain and improve the educational atmosphere in Tewksbury Township so that all of the youth of the community may meet this objective. The Board of Education acts on any school issue only when the board, as a whole, is in official public session.

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    Jennifer Flood
    (NP)

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    Sandra L. Hoy-Weiberth
    (NP)

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    Susanne Jardinella
    (NP)

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    S. Faith Ross
    (NP)

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    Jessica W. Russo
    (NP)

Biographical Information

What motivates you to run for this office? What characteristics, personal qualities and professional experience do you have that make you an ideal candidate for a School Board position?

What are the principal responsibilities of a School Board?

What is your stance on parental rights within the school system? How does this apply to the selection of books and educational materials used in our school district for health education and other curricula?

What are three overall education priorities that you want to accomplish during your time on the School Board? How will you go about achieving them?

What are three important qualities that you would look for in a candidate for district superintendent? Please explain.

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Campaign Email jessicawrusso12@gmail.com
Campaign Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580285585294
Involvement in Community Jr. Vikes Football and Cheer Association, St. Luke's Church, Tewksbury Township PTA
I am a proud Tewksbury parent & someone who has always believed in the power of curiosity & lifelong learning. As a parent of 3 children who have been part of our PK–8 school community (Old Turnpike School graduation years of '23, '26, and '29!), I’m deeply invested in the success of our schools — not just for my family, but for every child in our township. Professionally, I’ve spent 20 years leading global Research & Development project portfolios in the innovation space. This experience supports me in knowing how to plan strategically, manage budgets responsibly, & communicate transparently with diverse stakeholders. These are the same skills I want to bring to our Board of Education — to help ensure our schools are not only well-run but also inspiring places to learn & grow. I believe our children’s education is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It’s what prepares them to become thoughtful, capable leaders in our community & beyond. I’m running for Tewksbury Board of Education because I want to help shape an educational environment that supports every child’s potential & reflects the values and hopes of our families.
The principal responsibilities of a School Board are vast but first and foremost it is the School Board’s responsibility to advocate for the community’s needs. In addition, within the Board’s responsibilities are the school district’s vision and goals, policy development, budget management, superintendent oversight, curriculum and instruction standards, strategic planning, community engagement, and legal and ethical governance. I appreciate this question as I have firsthand experience of the principal responsibilities are of the School Board as I have regularly attended the twice monthly meetings since 2021.
My stance on parental rights within the Tewksbury Township school district is grounded in collaborative engagement, transparency, and respect for diverse values. My stance is an intentional balance between educational integrity and community inclusion. I will advocate for a welcoming environment where every student, staff member, and family feels respected, valued, and supported. At the heart of this is mutual respect, which serves as the foundation for meaningful relationships in a thriving school community. To ensure all families feel represented and empowered, I will champion multiple avenues of engagement that reflect the voices within our district. While the school district has a duty to provide inclusive and comprehensive education relating to health education and human physiology, the school districts should also provide alternative that protect and meet parental rights.
The education priorities that I want to accomplish are based on deep understanding of the foundational learning needs & strategic pragmatic approach to tiered budgeting. The 3 overall priorities are higher curriculum & instruction standards, long term strategic planning, & fiscally responsible budget management. In terms of my action plan for achieving higher curriculum & instruction standards, I would focus on areas of improvement such as differentiated instruction, greater literacy intervention/ instruction in early elementary, and math & science enrichment. I would advocate for regular reviews of academic performance, attendance, & engagement metrics. These insights, combined with surveys & focus groups involving teachers, students, & families, would help us identify gaps from multiple perspectives & ensure our strategies are responsive to real needs. My second action plan specific to budget management would be to champion for budget conscious planning utilizing a tiered budgeting approach: prioritize essential programs first, then allocate remaining funds to scalable initiatives while also pursuing state and federal grants.
Choosing a candidate for district superintendent is a pivotal decision for any school board and will directly influence the district’s educational outcomes and culture. My three prioritized qualities are visionary leadership, instructional expertise, and fiscal stewardship— which align with a strategic, student-centered approach. First quality I would seek in a district superintendent is visionary leadership with strategic planning expertise; a visionary leader ensures the district does not just react to challenges but proactively shapes its future with actionable long-term plans. Second quality is instructional expertise and commitment to higher academic excellence; instructional leadership directly impacts student achievement and supports my goal of higher curriculum and instruction standards. Third quality is fiscal stewardship and organizational management; ensuring that the district’s resources are used effectively to support student learning without compromising sustainability.
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