BRICK – Brick Township residents will have the chance to choose between six candidates to fill three seats on the Board of Education in the November election.
The Board of Education will be seeing big changes after this election season, as two incumbents are not seeking re-election – Board President Stephanie Wohlrab and member Nicole Siebert.
Wohlrab was elected in 2015 and is currently completing her ninth year on the board. Siebert was elected to her first term in 2018 and is finishing her sixth year on the board.
School board races are supposed to be nonpartisan, so the candidates aren’t referred to by their political party. Instead, they are allowed to have a short slogan after their name.
Current member Victoria Pakala is seeking her fourth term on the board. She was first elected in 2015 and is running on the “Believe in Brick” slogan. She is joined by newcomers John Henry and Nancy Ellson
Pakala worked as a special education teacher for about 25 years and is currently retired. She was an active PTA member who organized fundraisers, events, activities and chaired various PTA programs.
Henry is a retired teacher from public education after 29 years. He worked for the New Jersey School Boards Association as the senior manager of their STEAM and Sustainable Jersey programs. He’s a member of Brick’s Green Team and former PTA member of the Collingswood School District.
Ellson holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing and Post-Master’s degree – Psychiatric/MH Nurse Practitioner. She is a nurse practitioner.
Under the “Common Sense 4Education” slogan, Greg J. Cohen, George Malgeri, and Georgia Lane-Hansen are seeking election.
Cohen is director of transportation for the West Orange Public Schools and a former bus driver for the Brick Township Schools. Cohen has served as a member and was past president of Pioneer Hose Fire Company. He is also prior Vice President of American Legion Riders Post 348 Brick, and prior member of the father club at Midstreams School.
Lane-Hansen is a retired educator and administrator, and Malgeri is a graduate student.
The Brick Times reached out to this year’s candidates with the same questions requesting their thoughts and opinions on issues within the district.
At the time of publication, Nancy Ellson, George Malgeri, and Georgia Lane-Hansen did not provide responses.
What are biggest issues facing the district, and how do you plan on addressing them?
Pakala: “The biggest issue facing Brick Schools today is adequate state funding for all of our public school programs, pre-K to 12. We must pressure Trenton to come up with a funding formula that provides students in Brick with a thorough and efficient education! I mean all students! Federal and NJ state laws mandate educational standards and programs that are grossly unfunded. Brick schools lost more than $22.2 million in state funding over seven years under S-2. I have been to Trenton and the State Department of Education to advocate for Brick students. I lobby legislators to express my concern for Brick. I will continue to do so. I encourage our Brick Schools superintendent, Dr. Thomas Farrell, to be a significant voice before the NJ Senate Education committee, the DOE and in our local area.”
Henry: “From my understanding, a significant challenge of Brick schools is a shortfall of funding. There is no doubt, this has, and can continue to place a burden on the staff. I also know that given the circumstances, the board, administrators, teachers and parents are doing the best they can by working together to support student success.”
“I would work collaboratively with other board members first, looking to see what has been done to date to secure adequate funding to continue programs in the school district. Also, to see what may be involved in advocating for increased state funding support. This could include reaching out to state officials to lobby with the assistance of NJ School Boards Association (NJSBA). I would also suggest looking into creating an educational foundation for Brick schools and investigate partnerships with local businesses and grants to see if creative funding solutions can occur through the foundation.”
Cohen: “My priorities will focus on addressing reduced funding, promoting transparency, reducing class sizes, and supporting educators and students.”
“I will advocate for increased funding from Trenton – not the taxpayers of Brick – to combat the impact of budget cuts on our schools. I will work to enhance communication between the administration, school board, parents, and the community. Everyone deserves to be informed about decisions and developments affecting our schools. I will prioritize initiatives to reduce class sizes to ensure that each student receives personalized attention. I will focus on providing our teachers with the resources they need while also promoting programs that support student well-being and academic success. Together, we can create a stronger educational experience for all in Brick Township.”
Is there anything new that you would want to do for the schools?
Pakala: “As it is, our students have a well-balanced choice of classes and programs to teach them, inspire them and challenge them. We provide many support programs for all our students, including those who have special needs and abilities. Brick offers more services today as far as pre-K, academic endeavors and social and emotional support for all students than it did nine years ago. As our student body continues to grow and diversify, I look forward to our curriculum offerings, sports programs and art education programs to expand and reach the interest of more students.”
“I have served on many BOE committees and can attest to my commitment to negotiate generous and fair contracts for our staff. Since I have served on the BOE, I have witnessed a huge commitment to teacher support, mentoring and professional development opportunities. This must be a priority for any future BOE member!”
Henry: “Since I am not on the Board of Education as of yet, I am not completely familiar with every policy in Brick Schools. If elected, I would work with other board members so I can understand where my previous experiences in STEAM, sustainability, innovation and teaching design thinking can contribute or support to the excellent programs that already exist in Brick Schools.”
“I support student centered learning and student innovation and creativity that promotes thinking outside the box. I would also like to see students having the opportunities to see a wide-range and to have a diverse understanding of career choice pathways from college, to career and technical and military.”
“I believe that teachers are the backbone of the school district and a priority is for them to have the support and the tools necessary for all students to succeed. I would like to see what is being done and what can be accomplished given time constraints and funding shortfalls to improve teaching and learning. I know currently, parents are encouraged to attend board meetings and to openly communicate their concerns or suggestions. I would continue to support that parents do this more frequently and feel comfortable bringing their questions to the superintendent and to board meetings when they need further explanation.”
“Being a survivor and now a thriver of cancer I learned a great deal about how emotional health is critical to surviving a life-threatening illness. Emotional health is also important for students’ academic achievement, so I would like to see what is currently being accomplished in the areas of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and perhaps bring a personal and unique perspective to SEL.”
Cohen: “My vision for the Brick Township School District, addressing issues related to taxes, transparency, and classroom sizes will be at the forefront of our initiatives.”
“I believe that clear communication about how taxpayer dollars are spent is essential. I would implement a comprehensive budget transparency program that provides detailed, easy-to-understand reports to the community. This would include regular updates on funding allocations, expenditures, and the impact of state funding cuts. To further enhance transparency, I propose hosting more community forums focused on the budget process. These forums would allow residents to voice their concerns and priorities regarding spending, providing valuable input that can help shape budget decisions. This collaborative approach can also empower parents and taxpayers to advocate for necessary resources, especially in light of reduced funding from Trenton.”
“To maximize classroom efficiency and enhance learning experiences, I propose integrating technology that supports differentiated instruction. By leveraging digital tools, teachers can better manage larger classes and tailor lessons to meet diverse learning needs, helping to alleviate some of the challenges associated with larger classroom sizes. Establishing regular assessments to gauge the effectiveness of budget allocations and staffing decisions will ensure we are making informed choices. By focusing on these initiatives, we can create a more transparent, responsive, and effective educational environment in Brick Township.”
