Warren Township School Board Election 2022: Stephen Toor

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

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

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(All of the candidates were given the same questions)

Stephen Toor

Age: 51

Town of residence: Warren

Position sought: Member, Warren Township Board of Education

Family:

Wife: Nicky
Children: Joseph (Junior, Watchung Hills); Lucas (5 th Grader, Mount Horeb); Priya (3 rd Grader, Mount Horeb)

Education: BA Hons, History (European and American)

Occupation: Chief Commercial Officer, Pharmaceutical Industry

Previous or current elected appointed office: Student Union President at Manchester Metropolitan University, 1994/1995

Campaign website: N/A

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

I have 3 children in the Warren school system, and I have been consistently impressed with the quality of teaching and education the district delivers. I believe the boards focus should be on maintaining and where possible building on those high standards. The focus should always be the children, faculty, curriculum, resources and facilities. Nationally and locally that focus is being diluted by increasing political influence. I don’t believe politics, especially ideologically driven, is either required or helpful in the running of a successful school district. I therefore feel it is time for me to get off the sidelines and into the game.

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

The quick answer is positively. Although I recognize this topic especially is one informed by personal beliefs, my own opinion is 95% of the curriculum is the same, and 100% is age appropriate. Further, the appropriate legislation is in place to allow parents to opt their children out of the specific classes if they so choose. I would tend to err on the side of supporting and enabling parental choice, not taking it away, regardless of my personal beliefs and opinions.

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

The school bus system is one of the biggest financial and logistical tasks on the two boards’ agenda, changing school start times would have a significant impact on a system that currently works well. If the district and two boards believe those challenges can be overcome satisfactorily, and it makes sense from an academic and student welfare perspective, I would be in favour of conducting a thorough review and discussion regarding the pros and cons of the various options.

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

The administration in this instance led by Mr. Kimmick already does great work on creating and delivering the curriculum. It might be beneficial to continue reviewing the districts curriculum and delivery of STEM subjects, particularly science across grades K-8. A robust STEM foundation will be important for many of our children and certainly critical to the country’s future ability to compete. This shouldn’t be to the detriment of other subjects or narrow a child’s options though. Additionally, the town is growing, and school enrollment will inevitably increase significantly in the coming years. The district in recognizing that will need to ensure the well funded, high quality education and services it currently delivers will be protected and maintained.

What sets you apart from the other challenging candidates?

I’m British by birth and educated, I became a proud US citizen in 2014. I also spent some time in teacher training before switching subjects at university. I may therefore bring some international comparison and perspective to the boards discussions in how to maintain and where needed strengthen the work the district does for our children. Additionally, my day job involves a significant amount of time questioning, advising and providing governance to ensure team and organizational success. I believe that experience is transferable and may be helpful as a member of the school board and in working with Dr. Mingle and his team.

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

As I previously stated, I believe the school boards priority should only be the education of the district’s children, giving them the foundations upon which to be healthy and successful in whatever they choose to do in life. The education of our children is not a red vs. blue discussion and should never be viewed through that lens, regardless of a members’ personal beliefs. Voters should know two things about me, 1) I have zero interest in running for any public office beyond the board of education, and 2) my priorities will always be the children, faculty, curriculum, resources and facilities.