Meet The Gloucester Twp. School Board Candidate: Jose Fontanez

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — When voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections, they will be asked to choose three people from a field of seven to serve on the Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District Board of Education.

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.

Candidates Mary Jo Dintino, Jose Fontanez and Eleanor "Patti" Senner submitted their responses as a team, but Patch is running their responses as three different profiles. Below are the responses from Jose Fontanez.

Previous elective office, if any:
None

Does anyone in your family work for the school district or in politics?
No

Education

BA Political Science, Catholic University

Occupation
Consultant

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?
We are running for seats on the School Board because we believe public education is the cornerstone of our Township. Every child in our district deserves the opportunity of quality education, which is abundant within our district. We believe the power of public education is only as strong as our commitment to equity and excellence for all students. From preschool to
graduation, every child in Gloucester Township deserves access to the best opportunities and education that we, as a community, can provide. We believe that as each family embarks on the educational journey for their children, Gloucester Township Public Schools can provide an amazing place to learn and grow for each child.

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Improving student achievement is our highest priority, and the District has invested wisely in modern curriculums for math and literacy resulting in test scores that have steadily improved over each of the last five years. By continuing to invest in our students and staff and providing them the necessary tools to succeed we will continue to build on the above average test scores that have been realized.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?
Although we are not familiar with the others who you are vying for this position, we’re sure there are a lot of talented people applying for this position. However, with our unique background and experiences, we consider ourselves to be strong candidates for this position.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
Budget cuts have created huge problems for most public schools in NJ in recent years. Less funding means smaller staffs, fewer resources and a lower number of services for students. While some argue that throwing more money at the education problems won’t make them go away, others assert that lack of funding caused many of the problems in the first place. We will continue to fight for the children and families of Gloucester Township to ensure that we receive our fair share.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?
All three of us have been involved in our schools and community in many ways. Our Building Brighter Futures ticket is comprised of community members that currently serve on the school board, volunteer in the fire service, and community organize young people to vote and get involved. We are a part of this community through our service to it. Under Mary Jo Dintino’s leadership on the Board of Education standardized test scores have increased, budgets have remained stable and the District has invested heavily in providing additional resources to students and staff. Collectively, we will continue on this path and working together with administration and staff provide our children the best possible education they can receive.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
We believe that a school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialog. The board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before making a decision. A board member is a trustee of the community that elects him or her. That trustee must be accessible and willing to collaborate with all members of the community; that includes all District staff. A school board member must build public understanding, support and participation.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
Always finish what you started.