Marlboro Board Of Education Election 2026: Tara Barry

MARLBORO, NJ — Candidate Tara Barry is running for election to the Board of Education in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In November, Barry will run for one of three open full-term seats on the board alongside Valentina Mendez and Anthony Di Capua, under the "Accountability, Commitment, Education" campaign.

The three will face off against Amy Bolowitz, who is running under the "Advancing Marlboro's Youth" campaign, Samantha Schnurr and Kostantinos Skordalos.

Chris Smith is also running for a two-year unexpired term on the board under the "Community, Character, Commitment" campaign against Cheryl Scuorzo, who is running under the "Accountability, Commitment, Education" campaign.

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

Tara Barry

Age: 41
Town of Residence: Marlboro Township
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary and Special
  Education – Monmouth University
• Master’s Degree in Literacy (Reading Specialist) – Georgian Court University

Occupation: Elementary and Special Education Teacher with 19 years of experience.

What drove you to seek public office?
As a mother of three children, an educator of 19 years, and a lifelong member of the Marlboro community, I have a deep personal and professional investment in the success of our schools.

I grew up in Marlboro and always knew this was where I wanted to return to raise my own family. Marlboro is our forever home, and I want to play an active role in preserving the qualities that make our community special.

Throughout my teaching career, I have seen firsthand the impact that strong educational leadership, meaningful parental involvement, and student-centered decision-making can have on children.

I decided to run for the Board of Education because I believe our students deserve a strong academic foundation, our parents deserve to have their voices heard, and our teachers deserve the resources and support necessary to succeed.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What makes my perspective unique is the combination of my professional experience as an educator and my personal experience as a parent raising three children in Marlboro.

For 19 years, I have worked directly with students of diverse academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. I understand what happens inside a classroom, the challenges educators face, and the importance of providing appropriate resources and support to help every student succeed.

My background in general education, special education, and literacy gives me a comprehensive understanding of curriculum, instruction, student development, and the importance of meeting individual learning needs.

I also understand the perspective of parents because I am one. I believe these experiences allow me to approach decisions thoughtfully, respectfully, and with an understanding of how those decisions affect students, families, and staff.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
Throughout my 18-year career in education, I have had the opportunity to teach in both general education and special education settings, working with students across various grade levels and learning abilities.

One of my most meaningful professional experiences was helping develop and implement an Emotional Regulation Impairment (ERI) program designed to support students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs. This experience required collaboration with administrators, specialists, teachers, and families to create an environment where students could grow academically and emotionally.

I have also participated in the New Jersey Department of Education’s Community of Practice, collaborating with educators to explore effective strategies for supporting students with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Additionally, my Master’s Degree in Literacy has provided me with specialized knowledge in reading development, early intervention, and evidence-based instructional practices.

These experiences have strengthened my ability to collaborate,
problem-solve, analyze student needs, and advocate for educational practices that support student achievement.

If elected, what will be your top priorities in your new role?
My top priority will always be ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests of our students at the center.

• Academic Excellence: Strengthening the fundamentals of education, including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, while incorporating appropriate technology and educational resources that prepare students for the future.
• Age-Appropriate Curriculum: Supporting educational materials and instructional practices that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with students’ academic needs.
• Parental Involvement and Communication: Encouraging transparency, open communication, and meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in their children’s educational experiences.
  
• Student and Staff Safety: Supporting safe, inclusive learning environments where all students have opportunities to succeed and educators have the resources necessary to meet diverse learning needs.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Advocating for thoughtful, transparent financial decisions that balance the educational needs of our students with our responsibility to Marlboro taxpayers.
• Respectful Collaboration: Working respectfully with fellow Board members, district leadership, educators, and families. I believe productive conversations and a willingness to listen to different perspectives are essential to making informed decisions.

Name one thing about Marlboro that always makes you smile.
One thing that always makes me smile about Marlboro is the sense of home and community I feel here.

I grew up in Marlboro, and some of my fondest childhood memories were made here. Now, being able to raise my own three children in the same community where I grew up is truly special.

Whether it’s seeing familiar faces around town, attending community events, or watching my children create their own memories, I am constantly reminded of why I love Marlboro.

There is something incredibly meaningful about coming full circle. Marlboro was my childhood home; it is where my family is growing, and it will always be our forever home.