Election 2022: Haddonfield School Board Candidate Linda Hochgertel

HADDONFIELD, 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 for Linda Hochgertel, running for the Haddonfield 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 the 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: Linda Hochgertel

Age: Not given

Town of residence: Haddonfield

Position sought: BOE 3-Year Term

Family: Robert (husband), Alexis (college freshman), Ainsley (HMHS sophomore)

Education: BA, Communications/Journalism, Pursuing Master's Degree in Cybersecurity

Occupation: Chief Information Officer for a medical publishing, education, and events company

What previous or current elected/appointed offices have you held? Current BOE 3-Year Term, Haddonfield Civic Association Board of Governors, Elizabeth Haddon PTA President

Why are you seeking to run for the school board?

Our district seeks to provide an environment where students are excited to learn and to become the best version of themselves, an environment where students strive for academic excellence, and an environment where students seek to make the world a better place through community involvement and service-driven initiatives. I have witnessed the accomplishments of Haddonfield students at all levels and am seeking a second 3-year term to continue to advocate and provide oversight for the structure that supports the strategy and vision of the school system responsible for those accomplishments.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Rather than focus on what sets me apart from other candidates, I'd prefer to focus on what makes me an effective school board member. All candidates who are running are uniquely qualified and bring the diverse perspectives that give rise to a strong decision-making body. I view myself as a trustee of the community and understand the decision-making process should be centered on the community as a whole and not my personal point of view. I am willing to look at all sides of an issue, make difficult decisions when necessary, and am never afraid to change my mind when presented with compelling facts.

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

The district has spent several months working through the curriculum to ensure state mandates are met while tempering the approach and focusing on age-appropriate content. The changes to the curriculum as indicated on the HSD website are:

Grade 2 focuses on how people should be free to express themselves and how gender-role stereotypes may be limiting. Grade 5 focuses on how all individuals should feel welcome and included regardless of their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, along with the range of ways pregnancy can occur including IVF and surrogacy. Grade 8 focuses on maintaining healthy relationships, the risks of STDs and pregnancy, and the understanding of what consent is and how to be safe online. Grade 11 focuses on healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and dating violence, abstinence and contraceptives, pregnancy options and fetal development. If parents/guardians have a moral objection to instructions in health, family life education or sex education, the district has always provided the ability for parents to opt-out of specific classes when specific content will be discussed and will continue to do so.

What is your stance on the bond referendum?
I want to see continual progress/improvement in our school district with a balance of responsible spending. The public, faculty, administration, and students have been engaged with this process from the start. After several in-person sessions along with online surveys, a few of the changes expressed by the community included more classroom space, full-day kindergarten options, and athletic field solutions. The bond referendum is a matter that is voted upon by the community; it is inappropriate for individual board members to take a stance. BOE members should not be involved in swaying the vote one way or the other.

How should those who vandalized the football field on graduation night be punished?

I was disheartened by the senseless act that sullied a night that was very special for our graduates. However, the punishment is a police matter and not within BOE purview. The Haddonfield School District has requested additional police presence on graduation night moving forward. I am in support of that request.

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

For the past two years, the district administration, staff and faculty have had to pivot, adjust, and adapt to Covid. It is time to move beyond that and get back to the business of academic progress. At the end of the year, Superintendent Klaus discussed plans for the advancement of our Math and ELA programs along with a structural change from a centralized academic officer role to that of subject-matter leadership. I believe these changes will be impactful for our students and faculty. I intend to address this at the board level by advocating that our administration, staff, and faculty resources are properly focused on the business of academics and not distracted by partisan politics.