BERKELEY – While most people are focused on the presidential election this year, there are a few local choices to be made.
There are two, three year positions representing Berkeley on the Central Regional Board of Education. There are seven people running for these two spots.
The Berkeley Times sent the same questions to all of the candidates. Their answers will be lightly edited for such things as punctuation and flow. School board races are supposed to be nonpartisan, so candidates don’t have their political affiliation next to their name on the ballot. Instead, they get a short slogan.
Education, Integrity, Unity
The duo using the slogan “Education, Integrity, Unity” are Megan Bowens and Danielle N. Grochowicz.
Bowens has been a public school teacher for 16 years and has experience teaching general education, special education and multilingual education across many grade levels. She is currently an ESL teacher in Lacey.
“Serving in public office has been a goal of Megan’s for quite some time now. She and her husband, Berkeley Township Council member Doug, are dedicated to giving back to the community that has already given them and their family so much. As a current educator and public servant, Megan is looking forward to gaining experience in public office if elected onto the Central Regional School Board this November.
“A current Bayville School and Berkeley Township Elementary School PTA member, Megan tries her best to give back by helping with fundraisers, projects and school improvements. She also hosts non-for-profit quarterly Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings for the staff, parents and students in her school district as well as surrounding school districts. This meeting every other month is a consistent support and resource for parents to meet in person, hear upcoming information about their child pertaining to school and ask for any support they may need.
“If elected, one issue that I am passionate about facing is bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence at school. I do believe we are headed in the right direction with school-wide mental health initiatives being implemented. Another important topic is open communication and transparency between the school, students, parents and community members. Parents, like myself, deserve to be involved and informed in their children’s education with no hidden agendas!
“It takes a village to combat the issues we face in our district. One way I plan to address these issues is by hosting PAC meetings where elected officials in town as well as community advocates meet and discuss items of importance and collaborate on how to achieve goals set forth by students and parents. A goal of mine that is personal to me as well as many parents in this town is unifying Berkeley Township School District with Central Regional School District. There has been a longstanding disconnect that negatively impacts our town in so many ways. We need to work together toward a common goal of the growth and success of Berkeley Township students and families. Teamwork makes the dream work!
“Lastly, Central Regional has been built on a strong foundation thanks to the vested school community members that have focused on having a growth mindset, always aiming and reaching for its success. We are CR!”
Grochowicz works in project management in the fashion industry, “overseeing cross-functional teams with differing objectives and ensuring our customers’ goals are met based on strict budget and deadline constraints through the process of designing, developing, producing, and distributing consumer goods that reach every American through retailers such as Walmart, Target, and QVC, among others. With extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of success over my 10-year career in New York City, I’m prepared to translate my professional skillset into a vehicle that will drive success for all students, staff, and family members in Central Regional School District.
“Serving my community and alma mater through public office has been a goal of mine for several years. If elected this November, being a Central Regional Board of Education member will be my inaugural position in public office.
“I was raised in a very civically-engaged household, acting as a junior member and student organizer of community service and outreach projects for Berkeley Shores Civic Association from the time I was a child until I moved away after graduating college in 2014. Even as an adolescent, I felt called to leadership and became President of Central Regional’s Student Congress from 2008-2010, when I graduated. I was an active member of the Riviera Towers Board of Shareholders while living in West New York, NJ from 2015-2022, serving on multiple committees with the shared goal of improving the quality of life for all residents. My husband, Air Force veteran Keith Bowens, and I have been members of the Berkeley Shores Civic Association since moving back to Bayville in 2022.
“My main goal is providing a safe learning environment for all students where parents can feel confident that their children are protected from bullying in all forms. This will include facilitating programs that promote overall wellbeing. Regularly consulting data from our guidance programs will show the success rate of these initiatives and how we can pivot to continue improving our student support systems. I will also focus on sourcing grant funding to allow the completion of a multi-layer security perimeter to protect our schools from outside threats.
“Creating a stronger connection to the local community and taking initial steps toward unifying CRSD with Berkeley’s PreK-6 district will be a key focus of mine. Through open, consistent communication between the districts, we can align educational calendars and share amenities; alleviating the tax burden of all community members.
“Most importantly, I will prioritize the education of all students. Removing political agendas and hidden bias is of the utmost importance in empowering educators and students to thrive. I’ll also ensure parents are supported through transparent communication and the continuation of the district’s opt-out program.
“Through dynamic leadership and dedicated service to Central Regional, I look forward to improving the educational experience for all educators, staff, students, and their families. Our local community deserves to feel proud of our district, and I will partner with fellow board members and administrators to make this vision a reality.
“As an alumnus who thrived thanks to the education I received at Central Regional, I’m committed to expanding extracurricular opportunities that foster critical thinking and social-emotional wellbeing. This includes intergenerational learning with members of our local 55+ community, lessons on safety and civic engagement that build a sense of connection to our region, and the continued growth of inclusion initiatives as implemented by our new superintendent. Bringing Central Regional students into the community as active citizens will create a sense of pride and enthusiasm toward the district, which has been missing for some time.
Increasing unity within the district is critical to creating a strong foundation for all members, and I will explore all avenues to support our educators including the creation of a panel of teachers whose liaison reports their concerns and highlights to the Board of Education.
“I will remain committed to supporting our district’s parents and families in a similar manner through improved communication regarding the happenings at Central Regional and more considered BOE involvement with the PTA and SEPAG groups.
“Viewing education as a bigger picture than the day-to-day running of schools allows us to dream bigger for our students and assist them in reaching higher achievements and better preparing them for success after graduation. It’s up to us to provide them with the tools and resources to thrive.”
Putting Students First
Running under the slogan “Putting Students First” is Lisa Vargas. She is currently the Director of Transportation for the Barnegat Township School District. She retired from law enforcement.
“I have been elected to the PTA and its executive board numerous times, holding the offices of vice president and president. My leadership experiences have given me the opportunity to contribute to various community initiatives and strengthen support systems for both public safety and education.
“I am a lifelong member of volunteer EMS services, where I have been honored to serve on the board of directors and hold leadership positions such as president and chief of operations. Additionally, I have been actively involved with the American Red Cross, volunteering for both the Jersey Coast Chapter and the Greater New York Chapter. My passion for community service and leadership experience has allowed me to contribute to various initiatives aimed at public service.
“While I believe there have been some positive changes on the surface, I’m grateful for that. However, I believe there is an opportunity to do even more to ensure that the changes made truly transform our school into a more supportive, spirited, and positive environment. Deeper cultural shifts within a school or organization require more than surface-level changes. While policies and initiatives may address issues like bullying, transforming the overall climate – especially one that has been negative or lacking in spirit for a long time – requires consistent, meaningful efforts. Empathy, active listening, follow-through on commitments, and sustained engagement with both students and staff are critical.
“I would love to be a motivating and driving force in creating a Parent & Community Advisory Committee (or program), which I believe could serve as a valuable platform for collaboration, feedback, and the development of new initiatives that benefit our students.
“It would be incredibly powerful for students to see their parents and community showing up to celebrate their hard work at plays, concerts, and other events! This type of support can have a profound impact on students, boosting their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. When students see their efforts being recognized and appreciated by the broader community, it sends the message that what they do matters and that their school is truly a place of shared pride and celebration.. This can lead to strengthening school spirit, creating a community connection to the school and its students, as well as celebrating the arts and extra curriculars.
Supporting Parental Choice
Currently, the two seats on the board are held by Merissa Borawski and Heather Koenig. They are running for re-election under the slogan “Supporting Parental Choice.” They sent an email to this paper that was also a statement about not taking part in an event held by the Central Regional Education Association.
“As current board members, Heather and I were legally advised to limit our interaction with the press. However, I have attached a letter to our constituents to this email.
“We, Merissa Borawski and Heather Koenig (incumbent CRSD board members) will not be participating in CREA’s Meet the BOE Candidates Night.
“Due to the egregious and unfounded ethics claims filed by the CREA president and several members, our Board Attorney has advised us that ‘participating in this event is an ongoing inherent conflict,’ as they are appealing the dismissal of the claims they brought forth. These false claims have wasted over $35,000 of taxpayer dollars which would be better spent on the children of the district, rather than politically motivated attacks on elected officials. Not to mention the cost our teachers have paid in union dues towards these unfounded claims.
“Please feel free to contact us directly on our Facebook page at Supporting Parental Choice for Central BOE. We will be posting more Meet & Greet events soon.”
Educating With Integrity
Kia Phua and Carol M. Cousins are running under the slogan “Educating With Integrity.”
They did not respond with answers by the deadline for print.
