LOWER TOWNSHIP — Four candidates, including two incumbents, are running for three seats on the Lower Township Elementary Board of Education this year.
Lauren Randle and Lauren Cox are seeking new terms on the board. A third member, Jonathan Vile, is not running for reelection. Vile did not respond to a request for comment this week.
An email was sent to Randle requesting more information about her campaign and why she was seeking a new term, but she did not respond by Wednesday afternoon. When running for reelection in 2022, Randle said she was an alumna of both the district and Lower Cape May Regional High School, and the mother of two children.
At that time, she promised to remain apolitical and to listen to parents, teachers and administrators.
Cox describes herself as a “conservative Christian mother” on the ballot. In an emailed response to questions, she said: “Simply put, I’m running for re-election because I believe that God has a plan and a purpose over each and every person’s life and that every child was created in the image of God, they are a blessing and a gift. As parents and guardians, we need to be active in our children’s education. We need to steward our incredible gift, the gift of raising the next generation. Parents need a seat at the table, to be involved in the decision making. My goal is to see every child excel academically, receiving the best possible education.”
Lindsey Selby is a former Board of Education member, serving from 2021 to 2024, who wants to return to the board this year.
“I was born and raised in Lower Township, attended both the Lower Township Elementary and Lower Cape May Regional school districts, and now, along with my husband Stephen, we are raising our two children here as well,” Selby said.
She is the owner and director of a private preschool.
Stockton University will offer a 20% discount on undergraduate tuition and fees to any student who wants to stay on campus during the summer.
“I am seeking another term on the school board because I believe in advocating for our students, supporting our teachers, and ensuring that families have a voice in the direction of our schools. My goal is to bring both professional expertise in education and the perspective of an active parent to every decision made,” she said in a statement. “The major issues I see for the Lower Township district include continuing to support student achievement at all levels, ensuring fiscal responsibility while maintaining high-quality programs, and strengthening communication between the board, educators, and families. I am also committed to making sure our district provides a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where every child can succeed.”
Ember Loefflad has four children, and each will be in the elementary district this year, she said in a post to a campaign page on Facebook.
She did not respond to emails requesting comment, but in her post cited her work as a volunteer in the district and teaching Sunday school.
“I have been a Catechist teaching CCD for 4th-7th graders at Our Lady of the Angels church going on eight years,” she wrote. “Since my oldest, who is now going into 5th grade this year, I have been honored to be a Room Mom every year between all of my children and help out with the creative and fun side of the classrooms or volunteering with anything our wonderful teachers need support with.”
She also volunteers with sports programs, she said.
“As a parent, I am hoping to help the School Board by bringing a new voice and help reinforce yours,” she wrote.
Students attend Lower Township Elementary until sixth grade, after which they join kids from Cape May and West Cape May in the Lower Cape May Regional district, but most of the students in that district are Lower Township residents.
There are three people running for three seats on the regional board, Gary Douglass, Anne Maretta (Retta) Matagiese and Frank Onorato. There is one contested race for a one-year term on the board, in which Ralph Bakely Jr. and Roy Abrams Jr. are each on the ballot.
With classes back in session, students, teachers and staff in three Cape May County school districts are getting to know new superintendents.
In West Cape May, there won’t be a race either, with two candidates for two terms, and one for a single year on an unexpired term. Shelly Richards and Brian Groetsch Jr. are each listed for three-year terms, and Mary Margaret Lynn is on the ballot for the one-year term.
In Cape May, also a K-6 district, there is no race, with Dawn Austin, Edward Connolly and Anita De Satnick each on the ballot for three seats on the board.
For Cape May Point, a district without its own school, there was no petition filed for a single seat up for election. Point children attend Cape May and then move on to the regional district.
Contact Bill Barlow:
609-272-7290
bbarlow@pressofac.com
X @jerseynews_bill
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