Manalapan-Englishtown Board Of Education Election 2026: Jamie Herr

MANALAPAN, NJ — Incumbent Jamie Herr is running for re-election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In November, Herr will run for one of three open full-term seats on the board alongside Kelly Lukacs and Jenee Campo under the "Collaboration. Opportunity. Responsibility." campaign. Mirsad Capric will also run for a one-year unexpired term under the same campaign.

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Joseph Ventola will run for one of the three open full-term seats on the board under the "Quality. Accountability. Efficiency." campaign.

Ahead of the election, Patch posed several questions to Herr 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 Manalapan-Englishtown 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 Manalapan? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Jamie Herr

Age: 49
Town of Residence: Manalapan
Education: New Jersey City University, BA in English and Secondary Education; MA in Special Education In Progress
Occupation: NJ Public School Teacher

What drove you to seek public office?

As a longtime Manalapan resident, a mother of three children who attended our district schools, and a public school educator for 19 years, education has always been an important part of my life. I originally ran for the Board of Education because I wanted to give back to the community that helped shape my children and use my personal and professional experiences to make a positive difference.

As both an educator and the parent of a child who received special education services, I understand how important it is for families to feel heard, supported, and included in their children's education. I also understand that a successful school district depends on strong relationships among families, educators, administrators, and the Board.

Serving on the Board over the past three years has reinforced my belief that meaningful progress comes through collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives. I am seeking reelection because I believe in the work we have started and want to continue helping our district move forward.

In 2023, I ran on my own; however, this time I'm running as part of the Core Four alongside Mirsad Capric, Kelly Lukacs, and Jenee Campo.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I believe my greatest strength is the combination of my professional experience in education, my perspective as a parent, and my firsthand experience serving on the Board of Education.

As a teacher certified in English, Special Education, and Elementary Education, I understand curriculum, instruction, and the challenges educators and students face every day. As the parent of three district alumni, including a child who received special education services, I also understand the school system from a family's perspective.

Over the past three years, I have gained valuable experience in school governance, including understanding the distinction between the Board's role in establishing policy and providing oversight and the administration's responsibility for day-to-day operations.

I believe effective leadership requires more than identifying problems or making promises. It requires asking thoughtful questions, listening to different perspectives, building consensus, and working toward realistic solutions. I bring experience, an understanding of the responsibilities of the position, and a commitment to making decisions based on what is best for our students and community.

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

I bring 19 years of experience as a New Jersey public school teacher, including my current role as a high school special education English teacher. My professional background has given me an understanding of curriculum, student needs, educational programming, and the importance of collaboration between schools and families.

During my three years on the Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education, I have served as the Board's Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) Liaison, participated on the Negotiations Committee, and served on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. These roles have given me valuable experience in different aspects of district governance, from supporting family engagement to understanding the importance of responsible negotiations and long-term district planning.

One area I am particularly proud of is the progress made with SEPAG. During my tenure as liaison, the district revised its SEPAG regulation governing the Board selection process, and the SEPAG executive committee expanded from two members to five, increasing opportunities for parent representation and involvement. While there is still work to be done, I believe these changes represent positive steps toward strengthening communication and collaboration.

I am also proud to have participated in the district's strategic planning process, working collaboratively to identify priorities and establish a direction for the future of our schools. I look forward to seeing that work translated into meaningful, measurable progress.

Outside of education, I remain actively involved in our community through my volunteer work at the Parish of Saint Thomas More, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and JBJ Soul Kitchen. Whether serving on the Board, teaching in the classroom, or volunteering in the community, I believe leadership begins with service.

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

My first priority will always be our students. I believe every decision made by the Board should begin with one question: How will this benefit the children we serve?

I want to continue supporting strong academic programs, meaningful educational opportunities, and appropriate resources and services that allow students of all abilities to succeed.

Another priority is strengthening communication and collaboration among families, educators, administrators, and the Board. As SEPAG Liaison, I have seen firsthand how important it is for parents to have opportunities to share concerns, ask questions, and participate in meaningful discussions. I want to continue building on the progress we have made while encouraging greater family and community engagement throughout the district.

Fiscal responsibility and transparency will also remain central to my approach. Our responsibility is to balance the educational needs of students with our obligation to taxpayers. That means asking thoughtful questions, carefully evaluating recommendations, and making informed decisions that support both educational quality and long-term financial stability.

Finally, I want to help ensure that our district's strategic plan becomes more than a document. The goals developed through that process should guide our decisions, inform our priorities, and provide measurable benchmarks for progress.

I am not interested in making promises that fall outside the authority of an individual Board member. I am committed to doing the work, asking the questions, listening to our community, and collaborating to make responsible decisions that move our district forward.

Name one thing about Manalapan-Englishtown that always makes you smile.

It's the feeling of home and the connections we've made here over the years. After 19 years in Manalapan and raising three children who attended our district schools, it's almost impossible to go anywhere without running into someone we know!

I love seeing children who were once classmates of my own kids now graduating from college, beginning careers, or reaching new milestones. It's a reminder of just how quickly the years go by and how much of our lives are woven into this community.

Manalapan-Englishtown is more than just where we live. It's where my children grew up, where we've built friendships, and where we've created countless memories. Those familiar faces and connections always make me smile, and they remind me why giving back to this community is so important to me.