Colts Neck Board Of Education Election 2026: Camila Fernandez-Cohen

COLTS NECK, NJ — Candidate Camila Fernandez-Cohen is running for election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Fernandez-Cohen is running for one of three open full-term seats on the board alongside Thomas Colella and Alicia Raia-Hawrylak under the "Act for Excellence" campaign.

The three will face off against Vincent Rugnetta, Angela Mansour and Alice Dean Finney, who are running under the "Colts Kids First" campaign, as well as 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 Fernandez-Cohen 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.

Camila Fernandez-Cohen

Age: 52
Town of Residence: Colts Neck, NJ
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA), El Salvador. Certified teacher K-3 and Spanish K-12
Occupation: Spanish Teacher, Freehold Regional High School District

What drove you to seek public office?

As both a parent and an educator, I have experienced education from both sides of the classroom. I understand firsthand how decisions made by the Board of Education impact not only students and teachers but also families and the broader community.

Having spent over 20 years in education while raising three children through our local public schools, I recognize the long-term influence these decisions have on our children's opportunities and success.

I am running because I want to contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to ensuring that every decision reflects the educational needs of the community we serve.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have learned that being an effective educator requires putting students' needs ahead of personal beliefs and perspectives.

It is both my responsibility and priority to create a safe learning environment where students feel heard, valued, and encouraged to find their voices while learning to respect and appreciate others. I believe this same philosophy should guide the Board of Education.

As both a parent and an educator, I also bring a unique understanding of the opportunities and resources our public schools have to offer. My husband and I have proudly watched our three children benefit from these programs.

Our oldest, Sarah, attended the Medical Sciences Magnet Program (MedSci) before continuing her education at the University of Pennsylvania. Our son, Ben, participated in Colts Neck High School's Law and Public Service (LPS) program and is currently a student at Northeastern University. Our youngest, Sofia, is following in their footsteps as an LPS student at Colts Neck High School, where she also serves as a volleyball team captain.

Throughout their educational journeys, we have experienced firsthand the value of strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and administrators.

Being an educator has given me additional insight into navigating the school system, understanding available resources, and knowing how to communicate effectively when questions or concerns arise. I recognize that not every family has the benefit of that perspective, and I want to help bridge that gap.

One of my goals is to strengthen two-way communication and make information, opportunities, and resources more accessible to all parents and students. I believe our role as Board members is to listen, represent the entire community, and ensure that every family feels informed, supported, and empowered to make the most of the excellent educational opportunities our schools provide.

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

I bring over 20 years of experience in education, including the last 14 years with the Freehold Regional High School District. I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA), a respected Jesuit university in El Salvador.

My professional background has given me the opportunity to work with students of different ages, academic abilities, and backgrounds, strengthening my understanding of the diverse needs within a school community.

Beyond the classroom, I serve as an advisor to the Spanish Honor Society, Model United Nations, and Youth and Government programs. Through these roles, I encourage students to develop leadership skills, civic awareness, critical thinking, and a commitment to community service.

On a personal level, my husband and I come from different cultural and religious backgrounds, and we have proudly raised three children who embrace and appreciate different traditions and perspectives. This experience has reinforced my belief that mutual respect, open-mindedness, and the ability to find common ground are essential to building strong relationships.

As both an educator and a parent whose children have attended our local public schools, I understand the importance of collaboration between families, teachers, and school leadership. I believe my professional experience, business education, and ability to listen to different perspectives will allow me to bring a thoughtful, balanced, and collaborative approach to the Board of Education.

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

One of my primary goals is to strengthen two-way communication between the Board of Education, parents, teachers, and the broader community.

I believe communication should go beyond simply sharing information. It should create meaningful opportunities for families and staff to express their concerns, share ideas, and contribute to conversations about the programs and resources our schools need. I will encourage a culture of listening with the intention of understanding and serving.

While every board member brings personal values and perspectives to the table, I believe our responsibility as elected representatives is to look beyond political affiliations and individual agendas. Our focus should remain on educational excellence, responsible governance, and serving every student and family in Colts Neck, regardless of differing beliefs or political perspectives.

I also believe in maintaining high academic standards, supporting our educators, fostering safe learning environments, and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

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

Every morning, regardless of the season, stepping outside and admiring Colts Neck's natural beauty is a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in this community. My connection to Colts Neck, however, began before we became residents.

During my first year teaching in the Freehold Regional High School District, I had the pleasure of working at Colts Neck High School. I remember being impressed by the students: their kindness, work ethic, and respectful nature. I knew then that their families and community were doing something right.

A few years later, my family had the opportunity to make Colts Neck our home. Having raised our children within our local public school system, I have developed an even deeper appreciation for the partnership between families, educators, and the community.

It would be both a privilege and an honor to serve on the Colts Neck Board of Education and contribute to ensuring that every student and family can experience the very best our community has to offer.

ACT for Excellence, Excellence in Education. Integrity in Leadership.