The Burlington County Clerk’s Office certified general election results on Nov. 22.
Two, three-year-term seats were available on the Shamong board of education in the general election on Nov. 7. There were five candidates, including two incumbents.
Timothy S. McGarvey garnered the most votes with 586, Mary Kathryn “MK” O’Brien followed with 522 votes and incumbent Anne Ehrke received 475.
Renee Collins received 409 votes and incumbent Melissa Ciliberti, who has been on the board for almost 15 years, received 406 votes. There were 14 personal choice votes.
Ahead of the general election, we asked candidates why they were running for an elected seat and what they would like to concentrate on as an elected official.
O’Brien will begin her first elected term when the board reorganizes in January.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have two children in the district, so I have a vested interest in how the board conducts business. We have many members of the board who no longer have children in the school district making decisions. It is essential to ensure parents’ interests are represented to ensure our children are getting the best education available with the values that are important to our parents in this community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Collaboration and accountability. Over the last several years, approaching obstacles that arose with better communication and a collaborative approach would have alleviated many of the frustrations parents experienced. The parents, board, and administration are responsible for giving our children the best chance at an excellent education, which starts with working together. I would foster a better working relationship between parents and the administration that has been stranded in recent years. Many parents in Shamong feel they are being ignored. Board members must hold the administration accountable for listening and collaborating with parents.
Ehrke will begin her third term when the board reorganizes in January.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I want to ensure that all students in Shamong, present and future, continue to receive the best education possible. That means ensuring our administration sets goals and create initiatives that meet the needs of all students and does so with transparency and in partnership with all stakeholders. This will enable students to be successful as they move beyond our district and ensure they are prepared academically and socially for high school and beyond. High performing schools also benefit all community members, not just those with children, as there is a direct correlation between good schools and increased home values.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would like to continue to strengthen the partnership between home, school and community as it helps to foster transparency and open communication. This in turn creates a solid foundation for a culture of mutual respect and trust between the district who are the educational experts and the parents who are the experts on their children.
