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

An elected school board member serves a three-year term. The school board represents the concerns of citizens, taxpayers and parents to the school administrators, and represents the needs of the students and school district to citizens, taxpayers and parents. The school board does not operate the district on a day-to-day basis; that is the job of the superintendent (the district’s chief executive). Rather, the school board sets policies, goals and objectives for the district, and holds the superintendent responsible for implementing those policies and goals. (Abridged from NJ School Boards Association website).

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    Travis Ash
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Maryjo Dintino
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mary Ann Johnson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Monica McGrail
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Cathy Schmidt
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for the board of education (Why are you seeking reelection)? What expertise do you bring?

If elected, what would be your top two or three goals for your first year as a Board member? (If you are an incumbent, what would be your top two or three goals for the first year in this new term?)

What is your view on test scores? What steps will you take to improve these scores (if improvements are needed)?

What measures, if any, do you feel are needed to improve the safety and security of our schools?

What do you think are the top three issues facing the schools in your district?

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Campaign Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/monica.mcgrail.14
I am running for the Board of Education because I am a mom who wants to make sure our children, teachers, and staff have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. Our schools are the foundation of our community, and I want to be a thoughtful, accessible voice for families while working collaboratively with educators and admins to make the right decisions. I bring more than 15 years of professional experience in the marketing industry with a master's degree in Public Communication from Drexel University. BUT, most importantly, I bring the perspective of a parent who is invested in the future of our schools and our students.
My first year priorities would be to listen, learn, and work collaboratively to identify where our schools can improve. I already know the districts struggles and the parents primary concerns from attending BOE meetings, but I need to get the seat to be able to get more in-depth detail. My top goals would be to support student achievement by making sure teachers have the resources and support they need and to strengthen communication and trust between the board, staff, and families. I would also prioritize responsible budgeting so taxpayer dollars are invested where they have the greatest impact on students and classrooms. I want to help create an environment where students can learn, teachers can teach, and staff feel supported and valued.
Test scores are a somewhat important measure of student achievement, but they are only one piece of the picture. They can help us identify areas where students or schools may need additional support, but they should not define a child, teacher, or school. If improvement is needed, I would want to understand the data and identify where gaps exist, while listening to teachers about what they are seeing in the classroom. I would support targeted resources, effective instructional strategies, early intervention, and opportunities for additional support so every student has the chance to succeed. As a former student with a 4.0 GPA my whole life, I struggled with test-taking but this did NOT stop me from becoming successful.
Everyone should feel safe at school. I support strong security procedures, secure building access, effective communication systems, emergency preparedness training, & ongoing review of safety protocols. I also believe school safety includes students’ emotional well-being and creating an environment where concerns can be reported & addressed & this one hits home for me as my 8-year-old has heard and witnessed things she shouldn't have had to. I would listen to administrators, teachers, staff, students, & families & support evidence-based improvements that strengthen safety without losing sight of creating a welcoming environment where kids can learn. I will push that the student code of conduct be reviewed more than just 3 times in 5 years.
Three important issues are student achievement, supporting our teachers and staff, and responsible use of resources. We need to continue finding ways to help every student reach their potential while ensuring educators have the tools and support necessary to do their jobs effectively. At the same time, we have a responsibility to taxpayers to make thoughtful financial decisions and prioritize spending that directly benefits students and classrooms. Underlying all three is COMMUNICATION. Families, educators, administrators, and the board need to work together and have a voice in the future of our schools.
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