Brick School Board Election 2021: Stephanie Wohlrab

BRICK, NJ — When voters go to the polls Nov. 2, they will be asked to choose three people to serve on the Brick Township Board of Education.

There are five people seeking those two seats, which are three-year unpaid terms on the board.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Stephanie Wohlrab, who is running under the slogan "Believe in Brick".

Previous elective office, if any:

Brick Board of Education, sworn-in January 2016

Does anyone in your family work for the school district or in politics?

No

Education

No answer

Occupation

Self-Employed Consultant Fundraising/Special Events

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

It has never been more important or impactful to provide experienced, knowledgeable leadership. Our schools face returning to school this year in 2021 while COVID-19 is still affecting operations and with less state funding and ongoing districtwide capital projects to improve our schools which requires experienced leadership on the board. The past six years, our board, including me, has improved and increased pupil educational opportunities; implemented strategic planning and have been fiscally responsibly providing upgrades to our buildings/facilities; and developing a strong team among our board, administration, teaching staff and support staff) with a coordinated goal for pupil focus. I am committed to continuing to drive improvements the next three years. The school district is the heart and soul of our community, we need thoughtful representation who will represent all Brick Township educational community stakeholders. I will continue to do that.

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

The single most pressing issue is a full return to normalcy for our pupils and staff. While our district’s pandemic response and education plan during the past 18 months of learning was among the best in NJ, including converting to a virtual platform on a hybrid schedule in the middle of a school year, then successfully implementing layers of protection to enable us to re-open schools for in-person learning far earlier than most districts in the state was nothing short of remarkable, we must continue to get back to normalcy. It proves that together as a unified community, this district can accomplish great things for the children of Brick Township. The impact of the pandemic on our pupils has manifested in educational delays and losses. This existing school board has been at the forefront in supporting administration to assess and address those impacts immediately this school year and moving forward. We are committed to providing the best educational opportunities for all levels of learners for our community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?

The most critical difference between myself along with my running mates Victoria Pakala and Nicole Siebert and the other candidates is EXPERIENCE. This district is facing unprecedented challenges returning to in-person learning in the face of COVID-19 restrictions while at the same time confronting major state aid reductions. The current board is in the trenches alongside the district’s administration, staff, and community stakeholders to strategically move the district forward. Now is not the time for board members to be learning their roles on the job.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Our District motto of Student Centered- Teacher Led is our guiding principle and my platform is designed to advance this with three pillars: 1) Return to Normalcy, 2) Strategic Planning for Future, 3) continued expansion of preschool programs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

I would point to my record as a member of this school board:
1) Obtaining and growing the state grant for our popular pre-K program. This program is making a positive improvement in our community, with no additional cost — it saved jobs that otherwise would have been cut by state aid reduction. 2)Expanded SAT offerings during extraordinary state aid cuts. 3) No elimination of sports/extracurricular programs during district funding cuts by NJ State. 4) Created trusting collaborative relationships with fellow BOE members, Dr. Farrell, the administrative team, and staff throughout district. 5) Transparency and responsive to the parents and anyone in the community.

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

I have four children (two attend Brick Schools) and three grandchildren (one attends Brick Schools). I am a Master Board Member certified through the NJ School Board Association Board Member Academy. And in furtherance of my commitment to respond to community inquiries, CRT is not taught in New Jersey's (more specifically Brick Township) Pre-K-12 public schools.