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Ten Cherry Hill residents are running for three available three-year terms on the Cherry Hill Township Public School District Board of Education: Omar Alkahily, David Bercovitch, Quadsia Birat Niaz, Kurt Braddock, Nouruz Chowdhury, Dean Drizin, Samia Mian, Bridget Palmer, and Harvey Vazquez.

All candidates have been invited to reply to the same set of prompts, telling voters about themselves, their priorities, and their views of the current state of affairs in their community. We heard back from three of them, and another five responded to prompts from our partners at the New Jersey News Commons and Center for Cooperative Media. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Dean Drizin. Credit: Dean Drizin.

Dean Drizin, 40

Corporate Development Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve Flight Surgeon

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

DEAN DRIZIN: My family and I have lived in Cherry Hill since 2020. My father-in-law grew up in Cherry Hill, and my wife grew up nearby.

After completing my active-duty commitment in the Navy, my wife wanted us to move to Cherry Hill for the school district and community. 

We have a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter, and we are active in township sports and dance.

I enjoy skiing, hiking, triathlons, and spending time with family and friends.

NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education? 

DRIZIN: I believe all children have the ability to learn and reach their best potential.

Education should foster curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility, teaching our children how to show kindness and understanding of each other’s points of view.

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

DRIZIN: I bring a background in medicine and management. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, where I was the Class of 2006 Salutatorian, my medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and my MBA in Health Care Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

I lead the Corporate Development Office of a national nonprofit home health care organization and serve as a flight surgeon in the United States Navy Reserve. My prior experience spans investment banking, venture capital, and military service as an active-duty flight surgeon in the United States Navy, during which time I deployed to Japan and El Salvador as the sole primary care provider to more than 300 naval aviation personnel. 

My strong communication skills allow me to connect with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in decision-making. I am committed to fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages innovation and continuous improvement within our schools.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

DRIZIN: I am running because I believe I can contribute a fresh perspective to the Cherry Hill Board of Education and our community. 

I am deeply invested in the future success of our school district, as my children are early in their educational journeys. My son is in first grade (he had a fantastic Kindergarten experience, and first grade is off to a great start, too!), and my daughter is in pre-K. 

My family and I value education. My grandmother and aunt were public-school English teachers, my sister-in-law is a speech therapist. My mom recently retired after more than 25 years as the principal of a public elementary school that she led to recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. 

Day after day, I witnessed how my Mom’s hard work, commitment to data-driven continuous improvement, and tireless support of her teachers contributed to the success of that school. If I have the opportunity to serve on the Cherry Hill Board of Education, I am similarly committed to working hard and collaboratively to support our students, teachers, and administrators. 

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

DRIZIN: The biggest challenge facing our school district is academic preparedness in literacy and mathematics. The upcoming election is particularly important for Cherry Hill, as the incoming Board of Education will be responsible for setting the five-year strategic plan for the district. 

None of the 2024-2025 district goals focus on academic excellence (source: Cherry Hill Public Schools District Goals). If elected, one of my top goals would be to focus on developing and implementing targeted strategies to boost reading and math proficiency, including supporting district professional staff (our greatest asset!) and providing culturally relevant instruction.

NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected? 

DRIZIN: If elected to the Cherry Hill Board of Education, my top goals for the first year would be:

  • Academic Improvement Initiatives. Focus on developing and implementing targeted strategies to boost reading and math proficiency. This would include supporting the Cherry Hill School District professional staff and providing culturally relevant instruction.
  • Strengthening Community Engagement. Enhance board transparency, communication, and collaboration with parents, students, and community members.
  • Safety and Well-Being. Prioritize the review and enhancement of school safety protocols. This may include refining comprehensive emergency plans, improving access control measures, and ensuring mental health resources are readily available for students and staff. 

By concentrating on these goals, I would strive to create a supportive and effective educational environment in Cherry Hill that emphasizes compassion, excellence, and reliability.

Samia Mian. Credit: Samia Mian.

Samia Mian, 44

Physician and Professor of Medicine

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

SAMIA MIAN: My husband and I have lived in Cherry Hill for over a decade. We have three active kids who go to public schools. 

In my spare time, you can find me outdoors with my family. I enjoy hiking, running, playing pickleball, growing vegetables in my community garden and baking sourdough bread. 

From serving my community cooking meals with Lasagna Love, preparing sandwiches for the homeless, mentoring students and residents, or organizing arts events for the community, I believe in engaging and giving back. 

I am the Membership Chair for Beck Middle School PTA and also a founding leader of the Cherry Hill chapter of Sisterhood of Salaam and Shalom.

NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education? 

MIAN: My philosophy of education centers on fostering a balanced, inclusive environment that encourages student engagement, critical thinking, creativity, holistic development of students and the integration of community efforts into the educational process. 

A good education empowers student to be productive and confident with changing needs of times and remain empathetic members of the society. It instills in them qualities that makes them lifelong learners.

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

MIAN: As an effective physician leader and professor, my training and experience brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and perspectives that can fortify my role as a board member in the school district. 

By emphasizing holistic approach to well-being, data-driven decision-making, commitment to equity, and focus on continuous improvement, I am a unique and valuable candidate who is ready to make a significant impact on the education and lives of students in my community. 

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?

MIAN: As a physician leader and someone deeply rooted in making a difference in people’s lives, I began to be mindful of the school board procedures as my kids go through their schooling in Cherry Hill public schools. 

I recognize the impact of technology in our children’s lives, as well as the impacts of reading and arts education, and am driven to advocate for meaningful ways to improve student achievement and holistic growth. 

In addition, I am committed to improving parental engagement in schools, as it will not only help student achievement but also create better communication between the administration and the community. 

I also believe that EVERY child, regardless of capabilities, can receive the tools to succeed in school, and I am committed to promoting inclusive policies for everyone.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

MIAN: With funding cuts, I would like to advocate for maintenance and or implementation of programs that are essential for children’s academic growth and help address the opportunity gap that has been accentuated since the pandemic. 

I also want to stand behind the measures that can increase and support teacher retention, such as professional development programs that aim to improve engagement and address their well-being and satisfaction. 

In recent times there have been some challenges with communication between the parents and school board and I am committed to working on that as well. 

NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected? 

MIAN: I feel passionately about use of safe technology in elementary schools, parental engagement in school committees, and focus on reading at every level.

  • I am committed to improving partnership between parents and the school district. Parental engagement in schools can help students’ academic achievements, attitudes toward school, and classroom behavior. It can also help build strong parent-child relationships and a sense of security.

    In addition, parental involvement can improve communication between the school administration and the community.
  • Use of technology should be judicious and intentional. We need to consider goals for usage and whether it provides functional improvement to a learning task. Our kids are losing precious academic growth time and can be exposed to unsafe websites on their school-issued computers. 

    This concern is echoed by parents and teachers alike. Although utilization of technology is the demand for our times, we need responsible technology access. 
  • I would like the district to implement creative and evidence-based programs that will enhance student achievement in reading and writing. These programs must be founded on adequate teacher support as well as ongoing monitoring of student progress to assess the effectiveness of their implementation. 
Harvey Vazquez. Credit: Harvey Vazquez.

Harvey Vazquez, 60

Director, U.S Customs and Border Protection (Retired)

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

HARVEY VAZQUEZ: I love spending time with my family and am a passionate Eagles fan.

A large amount of my time has evolved around advocating for our own son, who faces his own challenges with disabilities. 

Our two older boys, both Cherry Hill East graduates, are currently serving our country with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army, respectively.

NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education? 

VAZQUEZ: I believe in investing in local public education to ensure that the needs of all students are met. Our future goals must include providing a curriculum that is above the state average with a quantifiable database to measure success.

I am committed to improving accessibility and inclusivity in public BOE meetings, ensuring language access for non-English speakers within our community, and promoting early childhood intervention referrals. 

My goal is to protect the rights of our students and foster a fair decision-making process that is representative of all. I believe that fair representation in decision-making processes is essential. 

I will ensure that the school district administration protects the rights of our students to include those with disabilities and foster an environment where all students can thrive. 

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

VAZQUEZ: In my role as an Executive Member of the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA and my previous experience as a Director at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, I bring a deep understanding of communication, and a strong dedication to special education advocacy as well as other challenging topics our district is facing: redistricting, budget and closing the opportunity gap. 

My understanding of these topics, combined with my enthusiasm for collaborating with others, shapes my approach to addressing these issues. I am confident that my ability to facilitate meaningful conversations will help create an effective platform for engagement with our community, board members and school administrators.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

VAZQUEZ: My personal journey advocating for my child with autism and serving on the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA executive board has highlighted the challenges many parents face within our school district. 

My dedication to the special education community and my love for Cherry Hill inspire me to serve on the school board and make a meaningful impact for all of our students, including those with disabilities. 

I see lack of transition services for our students in Pre-K, especially for those with special needs. A smooth transition must include the equation of support and services through early assessments and evaluations to identify those students that may need help in progressing through the school curriculum. 

I believe that the school district budget should be representative of our student population. Any request for additional funds from the state should be accompanied by a detailed report based on statistical data. This may include revamping the current curriculum by ensuring first that all core classes required for graduation are included, and, for the purposes of funding, conducting a deep study on those clubs or courses that are not required for graduation. 

The bottom line is that we should receive the proper funding to begin with by engaging in budget talks early on in the school year to be prepared to present a detailed report to the state for funding if the budget is cut short again.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

VAZQUEZ: Pre-K Expansion, redistricting, academic achievement in math and ELA, and special education

NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected? 

VAZQUEZ: If elected, I would focus on three primary goals.

  • Education. Investing in our local public education is paramount. Our future goals must include providing a curriculum that is above the state average, with a quantifiable database to measure success.

    Quality education is the cornerstone of a prosperous community, and I am determined to make this a reality for Cherry Hill. 
  • Proper redistricting of students should be top priority to alleviate overcrowding in some of our schools. Special emphasis must be placed on children with IEP’s that are obligated to attend different home schools than their siblings because of open enrollment. 

    A balanced enrollment will ensure equitable access to outcomes with a focus on our most vulnerable learners. Bussing must be planned such that minimal travel is needed for students attending schools outside their home area.
  • Establish a well-functioning Special Education department. The department should communicate effectively with staff and parents, foster positive relationships with families, and strive for the best outcomes for students while developing streamlined programs.

    This begins with adequately staffing special education classrooms, particularly self-contained classes, to give teachers the best opportunity to focus on curriculum. 

Editor’s note

The following five candidates did not respond to the NJ Pen questionnaire, but did answer a series of questions from our partners at the New Jersey News Commons and Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University.

What follows below is information culled from their responses to those prompts.

We received no response to any prompt from candidates Nouruz Chowdhury and Quadsia Birat Niaz.

Omar Alkahily. Credit: Omar Alkahily.

Omar Alkahily, 38

Entrepreneur, adjunct university instructor

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

OMAR ALKAHILY: I hold an MBA from the University of Kent and expect to earn my Ph.D. at Temple University in 2025.

I also have a Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Temple, which has allowed me to teach at the university level.

This experience has given me valuable insights into the skills and qualities that help students succeed in higher education, which I am committed to fostering in Cherry Hill students

I’ve worked with global leaders like Procter & Gamble and Baker Hughes in operations management, gaining experience in leadership and strategic planning.

As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve focused on ventures in media, marketing, and advertising. My entrepreneurial journey has ranged from a complete failure to multi-million dollar valuations/exits.

I had the pleasure to be selected for the Empowering Dialogue and Interfaith Networks program by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2021. In 2017, I was part of the YouTube Creators for Change program, tackling xenophobia through digital media. Additionally, I was recognized as one of Procter & Gamble’s 40 under 40 most accomplished alumni in 2016.

In my free time, I teach Arabic, and work on funding underprivileged students to continue pursuing their undergraduate degrees.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

ALKAHILY: I believe our students deserve an education that prepares them for the future. With the rapid rise of AI and other emerging technologies, it’s crucial that our curricula evolve to ensure students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in this new environment. 

As someone with a strong background in technology and communications, I see firsthand how AI is reshaping industries and economies. This perspective enables me to advocate for educational programs that not only emphasize traditional academic excellence but also integrate critical thinking, digital literacy, and ethical use of technology.

Throughout my 15-year career, I have worked with a variety of groups and teams in different disciplines. I believe I am able to collaborate with fellow board members to come out with the best possible outcome.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

ALKAHILY: The biggest challenges in the district are:

  • Resolving teacher/staff frustrations.
  • Approach to digital citizenship. We must prioritize safety while preparing our students to maintain academics.
  • Clearer methods of information-sharing and capturing community feedback. Shifting from data dumping to data visualization will enable that.
  • Bringing teachers into the conversation in defining issues and priorities.
David M. Berkovitch. Credit: David M. Berkovitch.

David M. Bercovitch, 41

Attorney

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

DAVID BERCOVITCH: I am a lawyer, small business owner, husband, father of three beautiful children, and am committed to improving our school system.

I grew up in Queens, New York. I am one of three siblings. We are all first-generation Americans.

Both my parents grew up in Israel. They moved to the United States after serving in the Israeli army.

I attended the New York City public school system until I graduated high school. 

I attended The George Washington University for my undergraduate education, and I attended law school at Villanova University. During that time, I was living in Philadelphia, where I met my wife.

It was never really a question where we were going to settle down: it was always going to be Cherry Hill. In addition to being a proud graduate of the Cherry Hill school district, my wife’s immediate and extended family all still live in Cherry Hill.

That is a great testament to how they feel about the township and the school district.

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

BERCOVITCH: I own a successful law practice based in Philadelphia. Our primary practice areas are immigration and personal injury. We have been recognized by Super Lawyer, Lawyers of Distinction, and the Philadelphia Inquirer (Philly Favorites 2024).

Over the years, I have been involved in a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a Board member of Jewish Community Relations Counsel. In this role I help the Jewish Community liaise with other stakeholders in our community. 

Previously, I held leadership roles in congregations. I was a Board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. It is one of the oldest congregations in the United States. 

I am one of the “founders” at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the planning and construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary.

I have a leadership position in the local chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association. I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter. In this role, we advocate for fair and equal treatment of foreign nationals in our justice system.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

BERCOVITCH: I am running for a seat on the Cherry Hill Board of Education to enhance the quality of education in our school district. I am a proud resident of Cherry Hill and a parent of three young children. I am committed to enhancing the quality of education in our district. 

As a lawyer who owns a successful Philadelphia law practice, I bring a vital perspective to the board. My current day-to-day duties include problem-solving, advocacy, negotiation, and ensuring fair outcomes, and these are essential qualities for a Board of Education member. 

My professional experience has equipped me with the tools necessary to advocate effectively for our children. I ask for your vote because I have a proven track record of organizational leadership. 

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

BERCOVITCH: If elected, I would focus spending on teacher retention. I believe we need to adequately compensate teachers to attract the best talent and to keep our current wonderful teachers. 

School safety is another spending priority. Unfortunately, our children face numerous threats to their safety, from bullying to fighting to a mass threat event. I would make student safety a spending priority. 

As a community, we also must stay ahead of technological trends in the classroom.

NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected? 

BERCOVITCH: Fiscal responsibility. Academic Achievement. Communication. The school board comprises more than 60 percent of Cherry Hill property taxes; school spending has a direct impact on your taxes. 

My top priority is to ensure taxpayers do not have to pay more taxes because of the school district. We are fortunate enough to have an approximately $250-million budget. I believe there is room to analyze what programs are working and invest in them, and to reshape or scrap programs that are not working.

Academic achievement needs to be a top priority for our school system. Many people move to or stay in Cherry Hill because of the quality of education and reputation of our school system. We need to make sure that our district remains at the forefront of educational excellence by focusing on the academic achievement of our students.

Communication remains a challenge between the Board and the community. I am in favor of implementing policies that make Board actions transparent, receiving more input from the community for board decision, and broadcasting board events to the community.

Building community together. We must engage all demographics of our township to improve the school district. Regardless of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or socioeconomic status, we are all residents of our great township. 

The only way to understand the issues facing our township is to engage with all of our stakeholders. Together we can ensure Cherry Hill School District remains a marque destination for educational excellence.

Kurt Braddock. Credit: Kurt Braddock.

Kurt Braddock, 43

Assistant Professor of Communication at American University

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

KURT BRADDOCK: I am Assistant Professor of Communication at American University in Washington, D.C.

I have lived in Cherry Hill for five years, where I reside with my wife, infant daughter, and goofy bulldog. 

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

BRADDOCK: I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration from The College of New Jersey, a master’s degree in communication from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. in communication from Penn State.

I’ve also received official certifications in data analytics from Google and data science from Cornell University.

My work focuses on extremism and violence, and how best to prevent propaganda from promoting different forms of bias and hate. I also research how to engage in political communication in a way that reduces confrontation and improves collaboration.

As part of my work, I have engaged in substantial public service to promote community and reduce bias and extremism. I have given dozens of pro bono talks to various state-, regional-, and national-level organizations tasked with preventing extremist violence. 

In doing so, I have worked with organizations meant to undermine antisemitism, Islamophobia, LGBTQ+ hate, and aggression against all other public citizens.

I have also been a teacher for nearly 20 years, engaging with and mentoring thousands of students.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

BRADDOCK: Last year, I started attending board meetings regularly to gain an understanding of the school district I’d be sending my daughter to. In those meetings, I noticed that although the Board did its best, there were plenty of room for improvement. 

Specifically, I thought the Board could do a better job of communicating directly with the public. Representatives should provide hard data that underscores their financial decisions, the better to optimize the use of every dollar in Cherry Hill and evaluate programs intended to improve academic achievement.

These are two areas that I specialize in, and I think I can bring those skills to benefit the students of Cherry Hill. 

I am also a fierce champion for libraries, and have grown concerned about a growing national trend of libraries, librarians, and books facing attacks. I want to be a strong advocate for librarians and books to help preserve students’ freedom to read. 

Finally, I think that my background in understanding the psychology of conflict can help reinforce a sense of community among Cherry Hill students, regardless of any differences they may have.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

BRADDOCK: Although there are several issues that require some attention, I think the greatest needs are to (a) improve transparency and communication with the Cherry Hill Board of Education and (b) leverage that increased transparency and communication to foster academic excellence among Cherry Hill students. 

To best serve the students of Cherry Hill, openness must exist among the Board, teachers, students, parents, and all other community stakeholders. Only by engaging with each other can we start to build out solutions that help our students reach their maximum academic potential.

Ava Friddell. Credit: Ava Friddell.

Ava Friddell, 19

College student, swim instructor for neurotic and neurodivergent children

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

AVA FRIDDELL: As a long standing member of the district, and a recent graduate who had an IEP, I feel that I can bring a new perspective that our current board is lacking.

I have attended Clara Barton Elementary School, John A. Carusi Middle School, and graduated from Cherry Hill High School West in 2023.

I currently attend Rowan College of South Jersey, and will be graduating in the spring with my associate degree in psychology to eventually become a child psychologist. 

I have worked as a lifeguard at local pools for the past three summers, and currently have taught swim lessons year round for the last two years. In addition, I have been a babysitter for local families since the age of 13.

Growing up, I was a member of Girl Scouts, assisting my mom in various collections of school supplies and food, and volunteered at 5K races, handing out water to runners.

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

FRIDDELL: I am running for a seat on the Board of Education to help be the change I want to see, while ensuring that our staff and students have voices, and are included on conversations that will help us make decisions affecting them.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

FRIDDELL: There are many priorities, but to pick one, I would select special education.

We should ensure that students with IEP’s are able to attend their local schools, and are offered the opportunity to take honors and AP classes. We must also make sure that their families voices are respected and considered when making educational decisions.

Nobody knows what our budget will look like in following years. I believe that the possibility of decreased funding should be taken into consideration while making plans and decisions for the following years. Our first concern should always be student safety and teacher retention.

Bridget Palmer. Credit: Bridget Palmer.

Bridget Palmer, 41

Director of Government Relations for Bancroft

NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.

BRIDGET PALMER: I have lived in Cherry Hill since 2014 with my husband, our two children, and our dog, Woofy.

Like so many young families, we chose Cherry Hill in large part because of our schools, the quality of our education system, and the opportunities a Cherry Hill education could provide. 

Today, my children are thriving graduates of Thomas Paine Elementary School, current seventh-graders at Carusi, athletes, musicians, and well-rounded individuals — and that’s largely because of their education thus far. 

NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?

PALMER: I am a Philadelphia native and proud Penn Stater, with vast experience in communications, community relations, and advocacy, including eight years spent working for Cherry Hill Township. 

I’m currently the Director of Government Affairs at Bancroft, where I focus on advocacy around state funding and legislative and policy issues that affect people with disabilities across their life spans.

This is my first campaign for elected office. I saw firsthand the impact that good public servants can make on the community during my eight years working for Cherry Hill Township, where I served as constituent services manager and communications director under Mayors Bernie Platt and Chuck Cahn. 

I will bring to the Board the same philosophy that was modeled by those leaders. The job of an elected official, at any level, is to be a voice for your constituents and make decisions that create a better world for them. 

NJ PEN: Why are you running for office? 

PALMER: I believe I bring to the Board a combination of personal and professional skills that will enhance and strengthen the current board, including nearly two decades of work in communications and community relations, as well as advocacy at all levels of government.

I share a fundamental belief that all students have the right to learn in an environment that is safe, respectful and inclusive, and where they have access to the tools and support they need to thrive.

I’m running because my children have had a wonderful experience in Cherry Hill’s schools, and I want to make sure it stays that way, while working to build a better educational experience for the many students for whom we continue to fall short.

I also believe we need board members who will publicly commit to doing everything they can to protect all Cherry Hill students. I am a proud Gun Sense Candidate, an advocate for the Freedom to Read, and ensuring we continue to protect LGBTQ+ students.

NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?

PALMER: The board has a lot of work ahead for the coming year, but there are three issues that stand out as most critical, long-term issues for the board.

The first is Elementary School redistricting, a process that was deeply flawed when we saw our middle schools realigned a few years ago, but which has the potential to impact every family with school-age children in Cherry Hill.

The second is the development of a five-year strategic plan that will set the vision for our schools for the immediate future. This is where I believe we can and should have meaningful conversations about issues including Special Education, SACC expansion, the future of our preschool program, school start times, and academic performance.

Last, but not least, we must focus on improving academic achievement across the board. We continue to see declines in both state testing and graduation readiness scores. Although the district has begun to make inroads, there is still significant work ahead.

With a new superintendent at the helm and large initiatives on the horizon, I believe we are at a critical point for Cherry Hill schools. I am a listener at heart, and will look to help build consensus among the board members. 

I am also one of the few candidates who has publicly committed to actively working to protect freedom of information and LGBTQ+ students. These issues have flown under the radar in Cherry Hill, and many of us want to believe they will never be challenged or questioned here —but we must remain vigilant.