Stafford Election Profile: Deborah Lyons Running For School Board

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Seven people filed to run for three-year terms on the Stafford Township Board of Education. Stafford voters must choose three for the positions. See candidates here.

Patch submitted a question-and-answer form to the candidates. Deborah Lyons provided information on why she's running again and what she's promising. Contact Josh Bakan at josh.bakan@patch.com for information on getting featured in a candidate's profile.

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Position Sought

Board of Education

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Husband Kevin, Children, Maura 26, Richard 25, Maggie d. 1997, Kevin Jr 21 and Kiera 17.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None work for Stafford, a niece and nephew are teachers in other districts, my son Kevin is a special law enforcement officer.

Education

Stafford Township and Southern Regional Graduate attended Ocean County College and Kean College where I played Field Hockey.

Occupation

Mother 26 years, High School Sports Official, 14 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current incumbent. 7 years of service to the Stafford Board of Education

Campaign website

Fritz, Lyons, Simonelli and Sharkey for Stafford Township Board of Education

Why are you seeking elective office?

To restore civility and order to our board. The board can't be used as avenue to exact personal revenge, we must be role models to the students and the community.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I feel the most pressing issue is the obvious one. The effect of the pandemic on our students and the families of our districts. My plan is to return the district to normalcy as fast as I can. My heart breaks for the special education population as well as our underprivileged population. For many of our students, the school day represents the only structure in their lives and I will support and safe plans to get them back to school. I was extremely vocal about the district going all virtual after the November break and was criticized by other Board members for doing so, but I firmly believe that we should be moving toward 5 day in person instruction, not away from it.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I care about my community, and having a good school system makes our community stronger and increases our property values.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We want to continue the coordination of educational philosophies with Southern Regional which was non existent with the prior administration. We want to make sure that we provide the best education our community can afford while protecting the taxpayers and supporting our staff.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Last year I suffered a stroke and it was hugely important to me that I return to fulfill my obligation to the people of this town, the town I was raised in. Now that I am fully recovered, I want to make sure that the board acts with civility while we plot a path to normalcy, we are the only ticket that can provide that.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a devout woman of faith and love my family, my community and my country.

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