School Board Profiles: Cathleen Ryer

Editor's note: Due to the large number of candidates in this year's school board election, we'll run a pair of candidate profiles each day for the next four days. Each candidate was asked to provide a biography and answer a set of questions.

On Monday, we'll provide a final wrap-up of the school budget and provide links to all candidate profiles.

Cathleen Ryer is a lifelong resident of West Deptford. She grew up in Sherwood Green and now resides in The Grande with her husband, Michael, and their two young children, Ella, 4, and Grayson, 2. Cathleen graduated from Boston College in 2001, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in human resources. While at Boston College, Cathleen served as the captain of the women’s swim team, and was named a Big East Conference Academic All-Star. 

Upon graduation, Cathleen returned to West Deptford and started her career at the General Services Administration in Philadelphia, PA, as a real estate project manager. Cathleen continues to work part-time for the General Services Administration and spends the remainder of her time focusing on her children, family and community. Cathleen is a member of the West Deptford Junior Woman’s Club and is a board member of the Green Fields Swim Club.

As my oldest child enters the West Deptford Public School System this fall, I am looking forward to being an active and involved parent to ensure our children receive the best possible education. I believe our children’s education is the foundation for their future success.

By serving on the school board, I will bring a new prospective and work together with the other board members to meet the educational needs of our children. My main focus will be on assuring everyone has a voice in our school system. If elected, I plan to devote my leadership skills and hard work ethic to help develop strategies for our schools that include economically feasible ideas while being fiscally responsible.

In addition, I want our public school system to have an outstanding reputation for our children which will afford them with the best opportunities possible following graduation from high school. Finally, this is wonderful chance for me to give back to our community because I truly believe West Deptford is a great community to raise a family.

What’s your main reason for running this year?

My main reason for running for the school board this year is because my oldest child will be entering kindergarten in the fall, and I want to be an active and involved parent in the school system.

If elected, what, if any, changes would you look to make?

It is hard to answer this question with not having the background information on what is discussed behind closed doors at the school board meetings. I also do not want to make any promises that I cannot keep. I do promise to make educated decisions if elected to the BOE and listen to members of our community because I believe we should all have a voice in our school system.

What do you think you bring to the board, in terms of experience and viewpoint?

I believe I would bring a new, fresh perspective to the board, since I have children who are just entering the school system.

What do you think is the most important issue facing the West Deptford school district?

I think the most important issue in our district is figuring out an economically feasible plan for our schools’ capital projects and technology initiatives without sacrificing education.

Why should voters choose you?

Voters should choose me because not only do I take pride in what I do, but I possess a hard work ethic and leadership skills. I also care as not only as taxpayer, but also as a parent, and want our school district to be one of the best in South Jersey.