Holmdel Board Of Education Election 2026: Jayme Lowenstein

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

In November, Lowenstein will run for one of three open full-term seats on the board with Jen Ashkar and Deborah Wilson 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 Lowenstein 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.

Jayme Lowenstein

Age: 43
Town of Residence: Holmdel, NJ
Education: Received a Bachelor of Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Occupation: Office Administrator for the Holmdel Youth Activities Association (HYAA)

What drove you to seek public office?

I am not a politician; I am a parent who wants to serve the students, families, and community of Holmdel. Our school district has a strong foundation, and the efforts of our Board of Education, administration, teachers, and families have helped make it what it is today. I believe there is always room for improvement, and now that my children are older, I have more time to devote to our community.

As a proud mom of two children, I have seen firsthand that every student has different needs. I want to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all students, whether they are high achievers, average students, students receiving special education services, or anywhere in between. We have professionals; we need more moderate voices.

I believe diversity of perspectives on the Board of Education will ultimately make for a stronger board that will identify opportunities for improvement and better serve every student.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I bring a combination of perspectives as a parent, longtime community volunteer, and professional who has spent years working with children, families, and volunteers. These perspectives have shaped my understanding of Holmdel's schools and the families they serve.

My family has experienced all of the Holmdel School District, including general education and special education from PreK through high school. As a parent of a neurodivergent child, I have firsthand experience navigating special education services, IEPs, and 504s. Serving as Vice President and President of SEPAC has also allowed me to connect with families whose experiences differ from my own. I understand that what works for one student may not work for another, and I believe every family deserves to feel heard.

I also bring experience working with people across the community, from young children to administrators. I value listening, collaboration, and finding common ground, and I would bring that approach to the Board while keeping students' needs at the center of every discussion.

I believe in listening without assumptions, treating people with respect, and working together to find practical solutions that put students first.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?

I have lived in Holmdel for over 15 years, over 9 of those giving back to the community.

For more than eight years, I have worked as an office administrator for HYAA, overseeing 14 sports programs with different budgets, schedules, volunteers, and needs. I also served as a track commissioner and coach, helping launch the HYAA track program. Through my involvement with SEPAC, including serving as Vice President and President, I worked alongside families navigating special education and developed a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our district, as well as building trust within the community. Additionally, I served four years on the Township Recreation Advisory Committee.

These roles have strengthened my communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills and taught me how to bring people together, manage competing priorities, and work toward common goals. My experience advocating for students and working with families and administrators has given me valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities within our school district.

If elected, what will your top priorities be in your new role?

My top priority will be supporting the whole student and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Success looks different for every student, and our schools should reflect that. I want to explore ways to expand opportunities within Holmdel, so students with different abilities, interests, and goals have pathways to succeed. That includes challenging coursework for advanced learners, meaningful academic support for students who struggle, hands-on and career-oriented opportunities, and continued attention to the needs of students receiving special education services.

I also want to address student mental health and academic pressure by examining grading policies, finding an appropriate balance in technology use, and supporting electives and extracurricular activities. Special education is currently part of the curriculum and instruction subcommittee; I believe it should have its own subcommittee. Holmdel's special education program is one of the best in the area, but there is work to be done to ensure this group of students is receiving the programming needed to succeed. As a longtime advocate for students receiving supports through the special education department, I would prioritize strengthening communication around IEPs and 504s, and explore the addition of adaptive physical education and health programs to better meet students' individual needs.

Finally, I believe we can do more to connect our schools with the broader Holmdel community through alumni mentorships, internships, and partnerships. I believe we can build on the district's strengths while identifying areas for improvement through open communication, transparency, and collaboration with parents, educators, administrators, and students. I want to hear and work with students and parents to understand how the Board of Education can better support their educational experience.

I would approach these priorities by listening to students, families, and educators, identifying gaps, and working collaboratively toward practical solutions that benefit all students.

Name one thing about Holmdel that always makes you smile.

There are so many things about Holmdel that bring a smile to my face. We have lived in two different homes here, and after seven years, when we decided to downsize to a house that made more sense for our family of four, we had a choice: leave Holmdel or stay. We ultimately chose to stay because Holmdel is an amazing town, with open spaces, a strong sense of community, activities for the whole family, and, of course, great schools. I feel fortunate for all the experiences we've had here.

If I had to pick just one thing, it would be the kids and their families. Watching children make connections, experience new things, and discover what they love and who they want to be is a tremendous joy. I now have a college freshman and a high school freshman, and having older children gives me a whole new perspective. Parenting young children can feel like survival mode, but watching families with preschoolers and kindergartners takes me back to those years—the innocence, rapid growth, learning, sports, parks, and playgrounds.

There is something special about the way children approach the world. They are learning, growing, and forming connections, and when we lead with kindness, they so often give that kindness right back. Seeing that innocence and sense of possibility in the next generation always makes me smile.