Toms River School Board Election 2021: Jennifer Howe

TOMS RIVER, NJ — When voters go to the polls Nov. 2, they will be asked to choose people to serve on the Toms River Regional Board of Education.

There are seven people seeking two seats, which are three-year unpaid 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 Jennifer Howe, who is running under the slogan "Students Strength Service.

Previous elective office, if any:

Current Board Member

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

No

Education

Graduate of Kean University (December 2020)! Currently finishing up my Education Degree at Kean.

Occupation

Full-time mom of 6. I bartend in the summer and occasionally throughout the year

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

I am seeking to keep my seat on the school board. I feel like our schools need a voice for the students, teachers, and community and I think I can say that I have done that. I would like to continue the Superintendent Search and help choose the next leader of our district.

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

Hiring a Superintendent. My intentions are to listen to all of the stakeholders and make my decision based on who I think the people who elected me would want me to.

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

I think the main difference is that I am not a conflicted member. I am allowed to sit in on important decisions, like the Superintendent Search, contract negotiations, and all personnel matters. These three areas are extremely important. I also think a difference is that even before I was elected, I was an active participant In meetings and attended many. I truly do this for the students, staff, and community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I would like to see the morale in the district be great like it once was. I have been working hard and will continue working hard for fair funding. S2 needs to be fixed and I have been in contact with state lawmakers that will work hard to give Toms River a voice at the table. All of our extra-curricular activities get threatened every year due to budget cuts, and I want our parents to know that we will keep fighting so our students can enjoy a full, school experience. Our curriculum is getting stronger, our special education is highly regarded, and I would like to see these two areas grow stronger over the years.

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

I don’t think any board member has their own accomplishments, we work as one. But I do think there are some things I have been able to highlight. I have been to Trenton alongside our district fighting S2. I have been able to speak personally to people in Governor Murphy’s office about our funding issues. I was on the negotiations committee for the employee contracts that have been passed. I have also put my time and soul into our Superintendent Search, I really would love to see the board come together and hire our new leader.

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

I would like my voters to know that I believe all parents should have a choice when it comes to their child’s education. I have been diligently reaching out to the Governor’s office about the mask mandates and the quarantine guidelines. I am a mom of 5 children in our district and am concerned that their experience will be different than the amazing one my oldest son had. I won’t stop working hard. I promise.