Colts Neck Board Of Education Election 2026: Alice Dean Finney

COLTS NECK, NJ — Candidate Alice Dean Finney is running for election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Finney is running for one of three open full-term seats on the board alongside running mates Vincent Rugnetta and Angela Mansour under the "Colts Kids First" campaign.

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The three will face off against Alicia Raia-Hawrylak, Thomas Colella and Camila Fernandez-Cohen, who are running under the "Act for Excellence" campaign, and David Hauss, Michal Mateusz Kalisz and Alainah Robillard, who are running under the "Education First" campaign.

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

Alice Dean Finney

Age: Prefer not to answer
Town of Residence: Colts Neck
Education: Michigan State University - BA in HRI. NJCU - MA in Education Technology.
Occupation: High School Teacher of Family & Consumer Sciences

What drove you to seek public office?

I am running for school board to ensure that our schools remain focused on educating students, protecting parental rights, and keeping decisions centered on the best interests of children — not outside political or social agendas.

I also want to preserve the fiscal responsibility and commitment to educational excellence that the current Colts Kids First board members have worked hard to maintain and advance.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

What sets our team apart is our commitment to putting students and families first while remaining fiscally responsible and grounded in common-sense leadership. As the conservative choice for Colts Neck, we believe that academic excellence, parental rights, school safety, and responsible spending must go hand in hand.

Our Colts Kids First team has helped deliver three consecutive years with no tax increase for our K–8 school district, demonstrating that we can prioritize our students while respecting the financial responsibilities of our taxpayers.

Guided by our motto, "United for Colts Neck: One Mission, One Community, One Future," we are committed to strengthening academic fundamentals, protecting Title IX integrity, supporting parental rights and local control, promoting transparency and accountability, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for every student. We also believe in exploring alternative funding opportunities and making thoughtful, informed decisions that protect our schools' long-term financial stability.

The Colts Kids First team is about responsible leadership, strong family-school partnerships, and building a future where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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

My background combines education, technology, business, finance and community service.

I have experience as a teacher and hold a master's degree in educational technology. Before entering education, I worked in the banking and business sectors, giving me valuable insight into financial management and responsible decision-making.

For more than 30 years, I have volunteered with a variety of ministries and nonprofit organizations, including crisis pregnancy centers, Speak Up for Parental Rights, and Samaritan's Purse.

These experiences have strengthened my commitment to serving others, advocating for families, and making a meaningful difference in my community.

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

My priority will be to identify grant opportunities and community partnerships that expand hands-on, real-world learning experiences for students while being mindful of taxpayer dollars.

I want to help create more opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom, explore career pathways, and develop practical skills. Students benefit when education prepares them not only for the next grade, but also for life beyond graduation.

Name one thing about Colts Neck that always makes you smile.

Delicious Orchards — and the feeling of coming home! Colts Neck has a special sense of community, and there is something wonderful about returning to a place that is comforting and is just simply home.