Toms River School Board Election 2020: Lisa Contessa

TOMS RIVER, NJ — When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will be asked to choose three people to serve on the Toms River Regional Board of Education.

There are nine people seeking those three seats, which are three-year terms on the board.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Lisa Contessa, who is running under the Toms River 1st slogan. Her running mates are Ken Londregan and Ashley Palmiere.

Previous elective office, if any:

I have not served in public office however, I have held leadership positions, serving on the boards of Community Medical Center, 21 Plus, and the East Dover PTO.

Does anyone in your family work for the school district or in politics?

I do not have any family members involved in the Toms River Board of Education or involved in politics.

Education

University of Tampa: MBA, Business Management/Economics. University of Tampa: BS, Business Administration/Marketing. NJ State License for Fixed Annuities & Life Insurance

Occupation

Marketing/Investments: VP, Senior Marketing Officer at OceanFirst Bank 15 yrs., Marketing Manager at Utah Plastics Group for 4 years. Product Manager at Tyco International for 10 years.

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

Our property taxes are out of control and they continue to rise while the quality of our children’s educational experience continues to decline. I believe I can change that.

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

State funding and wasteful spending are increasing taxes and the quality of our children’s educational experience is in decline. With 30 years of business experience in the corporate and financial sectors, I know how to manage multimillion dollar budgets. We need to cut waste, while managing a well-rounded quality educational experience for our children.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?

I have a master's degree in business with 30 years of experience delivering on program objectives at/or under budget and the fiscal discipline needed to keep taxes under control.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The Toms River 1st team which is comprised of myself, a corporate business executive; Ken Londregan, an educator who holds a doctorate as well as a master's degree in education who has taught and is currently a vice principal in another district; and Ashley Palmiere, who holds a bachelor's degree and is currently a local, successful, small business owner. Together we will work to ensure the most expedient and safe return to school for the children in our district, we’ll stand up to Trenton and fight for our fair share of tax dollars, we'll offer solutions to the problems associated with a shrinking budget that will balance all available resources with a minimal impact on staff teaching positions or any of the essential tools and programs that are necessary for a well-rounded and quality education in our district.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

I have 30-plus years experience in the corporate and financial world. I have excelled in my career rising to the level of Vice President, Senior Marketing Officer at OceanFirst Bank.

We have a very complex set of issues facing us with Governor Murphy’s S2 Budget, rising taxes, and out-of-control spending. And I have the skill set to control spending, negotiate contracts, and expedite projects with lots of moving parts.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m a longtime Toms River resident, successful business woman, taxpayer, wife and parent of a Toms River graduate and another student currently enrolled in the district.

I am a stakeholder!

I believe that my education, background and experience will be a healthy addition to a board inundated with complex financial challenges. I’ll work diligently to help offset the loss of Trenton aid and stabilize taxes. The Toms River 1st Team Will will fight Trenton for our school aid, our children’s safe return to school and quality education, and we’ll fight for you at our local Board of Education.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Work hard and whatever you do be the absolute best at it.