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Township of Middle Board of Education {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The Middle Township Public Schools is a Pre-K through 12 public school district located in Cape May Court House, Cape May County, New Jersey. The district serves local students across four main school buildings, structured as follows:Elementary #1: Serves young learners from pre-kindergarten through second grade.Elementary #2: Educates students in third grade through fifth grade.Middle Township Middle School: Covers grades six through eight.Middle Township High School: Acts as a comprehensive four-year high school for grades nine through twelve, also taking in high school students from neighboring communities like Avalon, Dennis Township, Stone Harbor, and Woodbine.The Middle Township Public Schools Board of Education is a Type II school district governing body that oversees the fiscal, administrative, and educational operations of the district. The board consists of nine elected members who serve staggered, three-year terms, plus an additional appointed representative from Dennis Township.

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    David DelConte, Jr.
    (NP)

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    Burgess R. Hamer
    (NP)

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    Jonathon E. Hand, Jr.
    (NP)

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    Mark A. Higginbottom
    (NP)

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    Christopher Ingersoll
    (NP)

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    Necheala Shelton
    (NP)

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    Brian L. Vergantino
    (NP)

Biographical Information

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of a school board member?

As a school board member, how will you approach decisions that require balancing the funding and educational needs of the district with the financial impact on property owners?

What policies do you support or oppose regarding LGBTQ+ students in our schools, and how do you plan to balance student safety and inclusion with parental involvement and state guidelines?

What roles and responsibilities should librarians, parents, administrators, and community members have in selecting and reviewing books for our school libraries?

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Mailing Address West Wiley St
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Campaign Email nechealashelton4mtboe@gmail.com
Campaign Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592137896001
Education Cumberland County College, Rutgers University, Camden
Involvement in Community Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc., Cape May County NAACP, Family Success Center Volunteer, Shop with Cops Volunteer, Escape the Cape Volunteer, M.O.M.S.
Qualifications/Experience Para Professional, Lead Teacher, Coach- Middle School Girls Basketball, Co-Ed Cross Country Middle School, Co-Ed Track Middle School, Class Proctor, Homebound Instructor, SAT Administrator, Youth Advocate, Camp Director
Occupation Early Childhood Educator
First, I want to be clear that it is not the responsibility of a school board member to manage the day to day operations of the schools. That responsibility belongs to the superintendent and school administration. School board members should not be directly managing or directing school staff. The role of a board member is to provide oversight, accountability and governance. That means establishing goals, approving the budget, setting policies and making decisions that support the district as a whole. Board members also have a responsibility to listen to the concerns of students, families and staff while understanding that individual complaints cannot dictate board decisions. There is a process that must be followed. Ultimately, my responsibility as a board member would be to make sure the district is operating effectively, responsibly and in the best interests of every student, while keeping the focus on the bigger picture rather than individual situations.
It is often tough to balance the needs of our students with the financial resources available. That is why the process of creating the budget is just as important as the budget itself. It is not simply about spending more or spending less. It is about spending responsibly and intentionally. Strong schools matter greatly and we have to prioritize the needs of our students. At the same time, we have a responsibility to be careful custodians of taxpayer dollars. Affordability matters too. When making these decisions, we should look at the long term impact of programs and policies and consider how they will affect students, families and the community. Before implementing any major decision, I believe we should ask two important questions: Does this provide the greatest direct benefit to our students? And are the people who may be affected properly informed? That is how we can make decisions that support our students while also being responsible to the community we serve.
When making decisions about what students are exposed to in school, I believe we have to balance student needs, parental rights and the diverse perspectives within our community. My first thought when I read this question was about children and the importance of protecting their freedom, independence and ability to learn about people and experiences different from their own. I also understand that parents may have different values and beliefs and may choose what they want their children exposed to. However, representation matters. Every child should have the opportunity to see their families, cultures, communities and experiences reflected in what they read and learn. Ultimately, I support the mental health and well being of our youth and believe that seeing diverse perspectives and differences can help children understand that those differences are part of what makes our community stronger.
As a school board member, it would be necessary to support a consistent process through established and transparent policies, rather than personal preferences or individual opinions. Policies should be fair, not personal. This should be a collaborative process where parents, community members, students, librarians, and administrators all have an opportunity to provide diverse perspectives. All voices should be heard, but individual opinions cannot represent every family or every student. Administrators should help lead the process by addressing policies, providing guidance, and ensuring concerns are handled appropriately. My role as a board member would be to make sure the process is fair, consistent, transparent, and focused on the needs of the entire district.
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