Holmdel Board Of Education Election 2026: Deborah Wilson

HOLMDEL, NJ — Candidate Deborah Wilson is running for election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In November, Wilson will run for one of three open full-term seats on the board with Jayme Lowenstein and Jen Ashkar under the "Advocates for Education" campaign.

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The three will face off against Alison LoPresti, Anthony Libecci and Peter Hayden, who are running under the "Protecting What Matters" campaign.

Ahead of the election, Patch posed several questions to Wilson about her campaign platform, experience and what sets her apart from other candidates running. Her replies are below.

Editor's Note: The following article contains information about one of the candidates running for the Holmdel Board of Education in 2026. Responses are written as received by Patch and only edited for style.

Patch has contacted all other candidates in this race with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

Are you running for election in Holmdel? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Deborah Wilson

Age: 47
Town of Residence: Holmdel Township
Education: B.A. in Education, Loyola College; M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision, Rutgers University
Occupation: ELA Interventionist in Freehold Township School District

What drove you to seek public office?
I decided to run because I care about our schools and the students and families they serve. As both a parent and an educator, I see our district's decisions from two different perspectives, and I believe that experience would be valuable on the Board of Education.

Holmdel has excellent schools, and I want to help make sure we continue to provide our students with the opportunities they need while being responsible with the money we spend.

For me, the question should always be: How does this decision impact our students, and are we getting the most out of the resources we already have?

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I think my career in education gives me a perspective that is especially important right now. I've spent more than 25 years working directly with students, and for the past six years, I've been an ELA interventionist, working with children who need additional support in reading. I understand how much the right support can matter to a student and what that means for their family.

In addition to my classroom experience, serving on the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Team and the School Safety Team has given me a broader perspective on student needs. Through this work, I've learned the importance of looking at the whole picture, including the support students need, the challenges they may face, and the school environment around them. It's helped me look beyond the four walls of my classroom and use data to identify trends, evaluate school and district policies and protocols, and make adjustments when needed to better support students and create a safe, positive learning environment.

My experience allows me to understand how Board of Education decisions affect students and teachers in the classroom. I also believe it's important to ask questions, look at what's working and what could be improved, and make sure we're using our resources in ways that have the greatest impact on students. I think bringing both perspectives to the table is especially important for our district right now.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
Throughout my career, I've learned that supporting students means understanding more than just their academic performance. It means recognizing what they need to succeed, working with others to find solutions, and being willing to adjust our approach when something isn't working. I've learned the importance of looking at the data, listening to different perspectives, and making decisions based on what will have the greatest impact on students.

As a Holmdel parent, I've also had the opportunity to see our schools through my own children's experiences, from their early elementary years through high school. I understand how much our families value the opportunities our district provides and how important it is to preserve those opportunities for future students. I believe these experiences have taught me to look at challenges from different perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and focus on practical solutions.

I also believe you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to make a difference. Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is listen, ask the right questions, and work collaboratively with others to find the best path forward. Those are the qualities I would bring to the Board of Education.

If elected, what will be your top priorities in your new role?
My first priority would be keeping students at the center of every decision. That means looking closely at student achievement and making sure the programs and supports we have in place are meeting students' needs. I'd like to take a closer look at academic policies, particularly grade weighting and course placement, to understand whether they accurately support student learning and give students appropriate opportunities to challenge themselves and succeed. I think it's important to listen to teachers, students, and families and make sure our policies are fair, clear, and focused on learning.

Another priority would be addressing our budget challenges through long-term financial planning. I want to see us move away from reacting to a budget crisis every year and toward a sustainable plan that considers future costs, enrollment, staffing, and the programs our students need. We need to ask hard questions, explore creative options, and make thoughtful decisions that protect educational opportunities while being mindful of the financial impact on taxpayers.

Finally, I want to take a closer look at our use of technology and the platforms we pay for. We need to evaluate not only the cost, but also whether these tools are improving learning and meeting our students' needs. We should look for opportunities to reduce overlap between platforms that offer similar features and identify licenses that may be underutilized so we can make the most of the resources we already have. Just as importantly, we have amazing teachers who plan meaningful, engaging learning experiences for our kids. Technology should support and enhance that work, not take its place. We need to make sure it adds value to the classroom without taking away from the hands-on experiences, personal connections, and interactions that make learning meaningful.

Name one thing about Holmdel that always makes you smile.
What I love most about Holmdel is the way our neighbors have become more like family over the years. Our house has always been an open-door kind of place, and I love having my sons and their friends gathered around the kitchen island for dinner, playing board games, or just stopping in to hang out.

At the same time, my neighbors and I have always looked out for one another. After a snowstorm, we all pitch in and help shovel driveways and snow-blow sidewalks. We have each other's keys and will watch out for each other's houses if we are away. We surprise each other with treats from the bakery or ice cream sandwiches from Carvel. Those little gestures mean so much because they're a reminder that people care about you and are there for you without ever having to ask.

I think that's what makes Holmdel so special to me. It's not just where we live; it's the relationships we've built, the kids who have grown up together, and the way we show up for each other in everyday life. I feel really lucky to be part of a community where that kind of thoughtfulness goes both ways, and it's a big part of why I can't imagine calling anywhere else home.