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Continued From Page 1 professionally in New Egypt since 2001. My wife and I currently have two kids in the elementary school, fi rst grade and preschool,” the candidate added. “The most pressing issue I believe is the amount of students choosing to go to other districts and the turnover rate for teachers and staff . There is an increase in enrollment in the elementary school but as they enter into the middle school and then again in high school the number of students choosing to go elsewhere is alarming and needs to be addressed,” he said. “Finding out why parents are choosing other districts, what they off er over New Egypt, and why parents are unhappy with our school system is important to know. The same with the teachers and staff . In the recent years many teachers who have been an asset to our district for years are choosing to go elsewhere. Understanding the why will help us address the current staff members’ future here in our district,” he said. Meroney told The Jackson Times “In my profession I am familiar with budgets and the restraints they can cause, and of course the safety and security of our district is something I am well versed in and can help to assure that we are where we need to be in this area within this day and age.” “I am looking forward to learning many other aspects within the board of education in hopes to continue the positivity and pride in our district,” he said. “The challenges I foresee is the enrollment. State aid is based on per pupil rates and with our enrollment decreasing that lessens the amount of money provided to us as a district from the state. “This formula will not change but we need to fi gure out a way to keep our students rather than losing them,” he added. “Surveying our past students as to why they left, analyzing that data and seeing what changes or additions can be made to entice students to stay or return will impact enrollment.” Meroney said, “curriculum is another issue that is pressing right now. The times have changed and many ideas that are expected to be taught are uncomfortable and unfamiliar within the school setting for children, staff and parents. Open communication and information are necessary as we all need to work together to meet the age-appropriate needs of our children and students.”

Morgan said she chose to run for the Board, “because it is one way I feel I can assist in the process of preparing the children of our community for their future. Our children need a community that supports them no matter how big or small the endeavor may be, and I would like to be on the forefront of that. “I moved to Plumsted Township in March of 2018. I have resided in the Cream Ridge area for 4-1/2 years. I have a child in the school district (elementary),” she added. The candidate added that “as a community we have several current ‘pressing issues,’ but the one that seems to be at the forefront, is how to implement the new sex education standards. The experience I have in being a very involved parent in the Plumsted School District, as well as being the parent of a special needs child, has been quite a journey and has allowed me to personally see things from many points of view.” Morgan noted “I also have worked/traveled to many places all over the world, having to listen and learn and fi nd the most proactive ways to deal with and accomplish things, even when the odds were stacked against us. Where there is a will, there is a way!” “The BOE is faced with diff erent challenges every single day. The challenges that I see in the immediate foreseeable future is the dramatic loss of our students in our schools since COVID began, and the need to retain our teachers,” said, Morgan said, “I feel that the most proactive way for us to attempt to circumvent these issues, is to acknowledge the parents and teachers more; truly listen to parents and the teachers alike. Allow them a better way to voice their concerns and ideas in a proactive and constructive manner.”

Molnar said she chose to run because “I feel that the concerns of the community need to be represented to the school administrators and, at the same time, the needs of the students and school district need to be represented to the community. I feel that I can listen to the concerns of others and advocate to help make our school district succeed.” As to the most pressing issue the school district is facing the candidate said, “through a parent and taxpayer’s eyes, I feel the most pressing issue that the Plumsted BOE is currently facing is teacher/student retention. Plumsted is a small school district with families that are invested in their community, schools, and families but they do not feel like they are heard.” She added, “I feel that listening and working together will help with student retention in the upper grades. I also feel that supporting our teachers will help to increase teacher retention moving forward.” “Teaching and working with children has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Now more than ever, I feel students, parents, and schools need to collaborate in the best interests of everyone involved. I am currently the vice-president of the WES PTO, a member of the NEYS Board, and a recently appointed member of the Plumsted Township Board of Education,” Molnar said. “As an active member of the community, an educator of 22 years, a parent, and a taxpayer, I feel that I can listen to the concerns of others and advocate to help make our school district succeed. I became a resident of New Egypt in 2020 and fell in love with our small town quickly. I have two children that attend schools in our district: one in high school and one in elementary school.” Molnar added. The candidate said she feels, “whatever challenges Plumsted faces - if an open line of communication is present, we can work through anything. Listening to the students, teachers, and taxpayers together will help better our educational environment for all students K-12 and allow the educators the supports they need for success.”

C ommunity n ews

Club News, ACtivities, eveNts & ANNouNCemeNts

Residents Can Sign Up For Emergency Notification Alerts

JACKSON – Mayor Michael Reina is pleased to announce that the Township has entered into an agreement with Regroup to allow us to send routine and emergency alerts directly to residents. These types of notifications may include upcoming events, road closures, emergency notifications for weather and more. This system will be utilized for all Municipal emergencies including but not limited to Police, Emergency Management, and Fire. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this notification will also provide you with any procedures that should be followed as well as emergency contact information should it apply. Alerts can be sent via email, text message and/ or phone call so you never miss important communication about an emergency in the area. By visiting our website and signing up for this feature, you can select which type of notification you wish to receive. “Since the resident’s safety is our main concern, we have been expeditiously working on our database and urge all residents to sign up through our website,” said Mayor Reina. Visit our website at jacksontwpnj.net/428/ Emergency-Notification-System. For further information please contact the Mayor’s office at 732-928-1200 ext. 1211.

How To Economically Use Facebook To Grow Your Business

JACKSON – A Facebook page helps legitimize your business in the customer’s eye. Learn useful tips and tricks to ensure a successful Facebook advertising campaign. Sponsored by SCORE Southeast NJ. This seminar will be held at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch on November 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register at theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule for November

Walk-ins welcome, but appointments recommended. Clinic schedule dates subject to change.

DATE

Tuesday, Nov. 1st Thursday, Nov. 3rd LOCATION

Holiday City South Clubhouse Stafford Library

Friday, Nov. 4th Seaside Heights Community Center Thursday, Nov. 10th Toms River Library

Monday, Nov. 14th Upper Shores Library

Tuesday, Nov. 15th Cassville Fire Department - Jackson Wednesday, Nov. 16th Little Egg Harbor Library

CLINIC HOURS

10AM-1PM 1PM-4PM 1PM-4PM 10AM-2PM 11AM-1PM 11AM-3PM 10AM-2PM Friday, Nov. 18th Brick Senior Center 10AM-1PM

ALL CLINICS OFFER BOOSTER VACCINE TO INDIVIDUALS AGES 5 AND OLDER. BIVALENT BOOSTER NOW AVAILABLE FOR AGES 12 AND UP.

Pediatric vaccine for children ages 6 months and older available only at OCHD clinics held on Mondays from 2pm-6pm until further notice. Monkeypox vaccine available every Thursday in October from 1-4pm by appointment only. Flu shots available at all COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Schedule your appointment at www.ochd.org.

Sell Your House Fast

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C ommunity n ews

Club News, ACtivities, eveNts & ANNouNCemeNts

Clothing Drive Benefi ts “Jake’s Got Th is”

─Photo courtesy Jackson Police

JACKSON – Sgt. Grochowski along with other officers and township employees collected a large abundance of clothing to benefit “Jake’s Got This” and their clothing drive fund. Jake’s Got This Foundation helps support children with cerebral palsy by donating gently used men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing as well as bedding and bath linens along with stuffed animals. Officers delivered the collection to Jake and his family and had a little fun with the family after by partaking in a silly string and water balloon fight organized by Sgt. Grochowski. Jake’s Got this is a NJ based 501c charity created by family and friends of Jake. Jake was just 13 months old when he received the diagnosis and the family was told that Jake would never walk, never sit up independently and probably never talk. Jake’s family was not willing to accept this prognosis. Through years of early intervention and therapies, Jake is talking and sitting up independently and is slowly beginning to walk more and more! If you would like to learn more about this amazing charity and how to even help visit jakegotthis.org.

Drop-In Th ankfulness Cards

JACKSON – Stop by the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch on November 10 and make a thank you card for a person you appreciate in your life. Open to all ages.

YOUR PET’S NEW HOME AWAY FROM HOME – CHECK US OUT!

Private indoor with oversized outdoor covered runs Supervised attention • 24-hour piped-in music Twice daily feedings & snacks • Special Kuranda pet beds Doggy playtime • Plus staff that loves your pets COME BOARD WITH US