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

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION - Full term - vote for threeSchool board members in New Jersey are responsible for adopting policies under which the school district operates; overseeing the school district budget; approving the curriculum; hiring and evaluating the superintendent; representing the public during contract negotiations; and serving as a communication link between the community and the school system. Elected school board members receive no compensation and serve three-year terms, unless elected to fill an unexpired term when a vacancy occurs.

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    Donna Blair
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    April Morgan
    (NP)

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    Donna Puryear
    (NP)

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    Howard West II
    (NP)

Biographical Information

What are the major challenges facing the school district, and how would you propose to address these challenges if elected?

How has your personal and professional experience prepared you to serve as a school board member?

If elected, how will you respond to parental concerns about the school district and the curriculum?

Slogan Students, Accountability, Communication
Education Undergraduate - Rutgers University, Graduate - New Jersey State University - MA Special Education, Monmouth University - MS Educational Leadership
Employment Retired
• Declining State Aid- Work with State Legislators on the bill pending to revise the funding formula to avoid the unsustainable tax increases we have faced for the last two years. • School Budget - Identify inefficiencies in the district and areas for cost savings in the budget; consolidate schools and pursue the sale of the Early Childhood Center. Look into shared services with other districts. • Student Achievement - Test scores are low compared to the state average; Ensure our curricula and curricular materials are helping students master concepts. Increase our Career and Technical Education courses at the high school level. Advanced Placement test scores on the last School Performance Report reported that no students received a 3 or 4 on the AP test; ensure our AP teachers receive the proper training to deliver the course to the students. • Enrollment - Enrollment is declining in the district; identify specific reasons why parents/guardians/caregivers are making these choices and develop an action plan to attract students to and keep students in our district; increase student performance to attract more students to the district.
I grew up in Paterson, NJ, and was raised in a single-parent household. As an undergraduate, I was in the Educational Opportunity Fund program, a state funded program for educationally economically disadvantaged students. I understand the difficulties that many of our students face in their lives. I was an educator for over 30 years, teaching regular and special education. I was then a supervisor and Director of Curriculum. I was also an adjunct at Monmouth University and later at Stockton University in the Teacher Education Program, working with preservice teachers. I hold certification as a K-12 Teacher of English, Elementary School Teacher, Teacher of the Handicapped, Supervisor, Principal, and a CEAS as Chief School Administrator. While teaching experience and administration experience are not required to be a Board of Education member, my extensive experience would make me a valuable addition to any School Board.
Parents/guardians/caregivers should absolutely have the right to express concerns about the school district and the curriculum. However, School Board members have no authority to act on their own, and an individual member cannot make any promises on behalf of the School Board. School Board members are responsible for approving curriculum and expenditures of the district. The management of the school districts is the responsibility of the school administrators. If elected to the School Board, my responsibility would be to have the parent/guardian/caretaker follow the chain-of-command and bring any concerns to the appropriate District representative or advise the party to raise their concern at a Board of Education Meeting if appropriate.
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