Warren Township School Board Election 2022: Eric Winch

WARREN, NJ — Warren Township Board of Education general election on Nov. 8 has seven candidates running for three open seats.

Eric Winch is running for one of the three, three-year full-term seats on the school board. Opposing candidates include Natalie Feuchtbaum, Stephen Toor, Ned Bolcar, Patricia Zohn, Mark Bisci, and Scott Otto.

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(All of the candidates were given the same questions)

Eric Winch

Age: 45

Town of residence: Warren

Position sought: Warren Township Board of Education

Family:

• Wife: Kelly
• Children: Eddie (Senior at Rutgers University); Reese (3rd Grader at Woodland)

Education:

• BS, Administration of Justice, Rutgers University
• JD, Seton Hall University School of Law
• MBA, Information Technology Management, Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business
• ITIL Foundation Certification
• PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Bar Admission, NJ and NY

Occupation: Chief Information Officer at Union College in Cranford

Previous or current elected appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: N/A

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

If working in higher education has taught me anything, it’s that education is one of the keys to a better life. We all want the best for our children, and while we can’t control the world around us, what we can do is make sure our children have all the tools they need to be successful and happy.

Today’s world has shown us that we must be able to adjust and adapt to ever changing and unpredictable circumstances. All the decisions made by our schools now can have lasting impacts on our children in the future. The mission of any educational institutional, whether they serve kindergarten or graduate students, is to ensure that their students succeed and that they receive the best education possible. Professionally, I am guided by that mission every day. As a member of the school board, I would be able to apply that directive to our children and ensure that they all, no matter their background or needs, receive the high-quality education they deserve.

How do you feel about the current sex-ed curriculum in the district?

There are compelling arguments on both sides of this issue, and I see merit from both the schools and the parents. Because of that, I believe that parents should have the option to opt their children out of the sex-ed curriculum. I don’t believe that there is a one option that fits all answer to this issue. Personal, religious, and other individual concerns all come into play family to family, so making a general yes or no decision on this is not appropriate. Giving families the ability to decide for themselves is the fairest and most equitable option, in my opinion.

Would you be in favor of a later school start time for students?

Generally, yes. But as a parent I understand there are logistical issues with starting the school day later. Most jobs are built around the 9-5 timeframe, so parents rely on getting their children to school and then heading off to work. While remote work has eased that burden somewhat, many parents are back in the office. So, while conceptually I see some benefit in starting the school day later for students so they can get more rest, I understand that it can create burdens for families on tight schedules.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the school district?

I believe school safety has to be at the forefront of discussions, including planning, training and awareness. Although we live in a relatively safe community, in today’s world that “safe” designation can create a false sense of security. While I don’t endorse creating hysteria, I believe that proper planning and training can limit the impact from any security event. Keeping our children and communities safe should always be a priority.

What sets you apart from the other challenging candidates?

I have worked in higher education most of my professional life. I began my career as an attorney, but soon after that transitioned into higher education. I have held various positions across 2-year and 4-year institutions, both public and private, and am currently the Chief Information Officer at Union College in Cranford.

I have also participated in the Warren Township Schools Strategic Plan Voice and Engagement Committee. As part of the Voice and Engagement Committee, I worked along with school staff, board members and other parents, discussing how to create a sustainable change management plan and how best to communicate change to the school community.

Further, at Union College, I am a member of the Emergency Management & Planning Team, which evolved from the Covid-19 Task Force I was also a member of. While Covid-19 is still a subtopic of this team, the scope of our work extends to the broader issues of public safety. Given the recent events across our nation, our discussions and activities ensure that our campus remains prepared and vigilant. I believe this experience would serve me well as a member of the Board, in today’s troubling times and in the future.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Education has been a part of my life for the last two decades. I value the importance of education, and as a parent understand your desire to give your children the best opportunities and to keep them safe. As a higher educational professional, student success has always been my core mission. As a parent, that mission is hyper focused on my children. One of the main reasons my family and I moved to Warren was because of the strong school system and close community. I hope you allow me the opportunity to serve our community knowing that your children’s success and safety will always be my priority.