Election 2022: Gloucester Township School Board Candidate Dena Hendry

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — In the 2022 general election, residents of South Jersey will be voting for state and local officials. Patch has asked candidates in contested races to answer profiles about their campaigns.

Here is the candidate profile of Dena Hendry, running for the Gloucester Township Board of Education.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and Nov. 8 general election. Local candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Michelle.Rotuno-Johnson@patch.com.

Name: Dena Hendry

Age: 43

Town of residence: Somerdale

Position sought: GT BOE

Family: Married 17 years to my supportive Husband Scott. Together we have 3 boys Aden (10), Owen (9), and Hunter (9). Yup 3 boys, yes they are twins, and yes we are busy! We love having fun, making memories and going to the beach any chance we get!

Education: Lackawanna College and Slippery Rock University

Occupation: Marketing and Leasing Manager for Hilton Management

What previous or current elected/appointed offices have you held?

Besides being voted for Co-Vice President for Chews FSA and chairing different committees for the Delaware Apartment Association, I have not held an official elected or appointed office in my adult life. In college I was voted Student Government President if that counts.

Why are you seeking to run for the school board?

Why do I want to earn your support and vote, that is easy to answer. It’s because of the Students, Teachers, and our Community. With having ZERO political agenda, local political backing, or political gain I will be solely focused on the students, teachers and our community. I believe we have a responsibility to all of our students to provide them with an education that will help shape them to the future leaders they will be. I believe the teachers need the support from the administration along with the community that will provide the tools the teachers need to educate our children. I also believe our community needs to know and understand what their tax dollars are going to.

What is your stance on the sexual education curriculum that Gov. Murphy put forth earlier this year?

Understanding that this is new and maybe sensitive for families. I think if parents were given the information and the district’s intention of what the lesson would be, I tend to think it would not be as controversial as it has been. As a parent, I have some concerns but I do believe that awareness of all types of families and prevention of teen pregnancy or STD’s is key. I also respect that some families may prefer to keep the conversation private until the time they may feel right.

What is the most important issue in your district and how do you intend to address it?

I have been extremely vocal for the need of more parent involvement along with the importance of clear and precise communication, accountability and transparency from the district and the BOE. Often the common narrative, that is often repeated, is I emailed someone but never received a reply or why bother because they don’t listen. Parents need to be involved and invested in their children’s education. And if this is the feeling that even one parent, teacher or taxpayer feels that is too many. Now with the meetings being recorded and published hopefully this will reach more parents and residents of our community.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in your school district that have not been discussed already and how would you tackle these?

This is a great question! The first thing that comes mind is the safety our our children and teachers. Ensuring that GT has the best protocols and training to make sure everyone comes home everyday. How I would tackle this would be confirming that our professionals have the proper training and continued education , along with having equipment needed to reinforce the outcome of everyone gets home safe. Second, is seeing how we can secure and retain top talent for our district. Having experience with this in my professional career, I understand this is not easy but once we get to the root of why we can’t attract and retain top talent then we can have a better understanding. Maybe the way to tackle this needs to be an administrative change or even creating an improved mission or culture. Third would be scheduling of BOE and our township meetings. As parents, residents and taxpayers we should not have to pick one over the other. It is important that we are informed, involved and invested in all areas of where we call home.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I am just a professional, wife, and mom who is involved and invested in our students, teachers and our community. I often say, if you want change, then you have to be the change and this is what I am doing. This is me putting myself out there, hoping to earn your support and vote this Election Day. I have been asked, how to donate to my campaign? As this is super kind, I honestly rather you take your money and use it for your family and go make memories or maybe buy a teacher some supplies on their wishlist. A position earned like school board, should be decided on the person they are, if they have attended school board meetings and have an understanding of district. Not how much money is spent, identifying as a politician, or being my hand picked without any previous attendance of a school board meeting especially now since announcing the intent of running for school board.