Cherry Hill School Board Election Candidate Profile: Gina Winters

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill has five candidates running for three positions on the Board of Education.

Patch sent questions to all candidates in the race and will publish responses as they're received. All candidate profiles will be re-shared closer to Election Day, which is Nov. 4.

• Read more: 5 Candidates Running For School Board In Cherry Hill

Gina Winters, who is running for re-election, sent the following responses:

Gina Winters

• Age: 46
• Education: BA in political science and master's degree in public policy from Rutgers University
• Previous elected/appointed office: Cherry Hill Board of Education member (2022 to present), school board president (January 2025 to present).

Why are you running for school board?

I have served on the school board since 2022, and I have really enjoyed connecting with the community and helping to guide our school district on a path towards continued success. I am running for another term to focus on boosting academic achievement for all students, ensuring responsible fiscal management — including oversight of the bond referendum projects — and fostering an inclusive school culture where every student feels welcomed and belongs. I am committed to safe, healthy schools where students can learn and grow together.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

During my three years on the board, I have volunteered as often as I can to be present at all 18 schools and in the larger community so that I can hear directly about the community's aspirations for our school district. If I am re-elected, I promise that I will continue to spend time at all of our schools to learn about each individual building with its unique school culture, strengths, and concerns. This year as board president, I have worked very hard to strike a collaborative tone on the board, where all points of view are respected and every voice matters. I firmly believe that better decisions are made when we all work together, and that mutual respect and openness creates an environment where the board can be its most effective in serving the community who puts its faith in us.

What past accomplishments or experiences make you qualified for this position?

Since 2023, I have served as chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, focused on improving academic achievement for all students from preschool to high school. Under my leadership, the committee collaborated with district administration on preschool expansion, high-impact tutoring, high school math pathways, AP expansion, and the implementation of new curricula for math and ELA at the elementary level. As a member of the Policy and Legislation Committee, I supported the creation of our district cell phone policy — one of the first in the state — to support focused, engaged learning environments. I have also been a strong advocate for reform of the school funding formula, to ensure that Cherry Hill gets its fair share of state funding.

If elected, what will be your top priorities during your elected term?

If re-elected, my first priority would be to continue my focus on academic success for all students. Our students need access to rigorous curricula, high standards, and individualized supports so that they can learn, grow, and thrive. Secondly, to prepare our students for graduation, I will also focus on college and career readiness skills and expand internship opportunities for our high school students so that they can gain the skills they need to be successful. Finally, in order to maintain the high quality education that Cherry Hill is known for, a big piece of the puzzle is continued focus on recruiting, retaining, and supporting excellent teachers and staff.