Three incumbents unopposed for Colts Neck school board

By PETER ELACQUA
Staff Writer

COLTS NECK — Three members of the Colts Neck K-8 School District Board of Education are running unopposed to retain their seats on the board.

Dr. Kimberly Raymond, who is currently serving as the board’s president, and board members Kevin O’Connor and Heather Tormey are seeking three-year terms in the Nov. 3 election.

Each candidate was asked, “Why are you seeking to retain your seat on the school board?”

O’Connor said, “I am seeking to be elected to a new term on the board to continue the commitment I made when I was appointed in June. My goals are to help our district continue to be one of the best in the state, and to ensure that when people are looking for homes, they see our school system as a valuable asset. The board must have effective, honest and open communication with our community and I will act to ensure this happens. The board has a responsibility to the community to deliver the best education as efficiently as possible and I will work to support that as a board member.”

Raymond said, “Having served on the board since 2011, I was honored to be elected president in January 2015 and currently serve on the Curriculum Committee and the Finance/Negotiations Committee. During my terms the board has instituted full-day, tuition-free kindergarten and expanded our preschool.

“We have expanded science programs and labs and, at the middle school, new STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) course offerings were added this year, including courses in robotics and design and modeling. We have added a team of dedicated enrichment teachers for our higher learners. Our 1:1 technology initiative has begun, with Chromebook computers for every student in grades five through eight this school year.

“Despite these enhancements, there is still work to be done. The most pressing current issues include addressing the use of our facilities and the maintenance and updating needs recently revealed in our longrange facilities plan. We need to continue to reassess our district’s security and safety in order to provide the safest learning and teaching environment for students and staff. I remain committed to constantly ‘raising the bar’ in terms of this board’s expectation for academic excellence in Colts Neck’s schools.”

Tormey said, “I have lived in Colts Neck with my husband and three children for 12 years. It is a town I have always enjoyed visiting and now the place I love and call home.

“When my children became school age, I began volunteering with the Colts Neck PTO. Through that experience, I met our town’s Board of Education members and started to listen to the issues.

“I wanted to learn about what the board does, how it provides our children a safe and engaging learning environment. Most recently, when the possibility of closing a school in the district due to declining enrollment came about, I was ready to turn my full attention to becoming a member of the board.

“With all of the wonderful things Colts Neck has to offer — farming, parks, horse trails, beautiful neighborhoods, sports programs — our schools should top that list. Should my constituents have confidence in me and cast their vote for me, I would embrace the opportunity to work with my fellow members to do just that — make the Colts Neck School District great.”

— Contact Peter Elacqua at pelacqua@gmnews.com