Election 2022: Jeffrey D. Williams, Freehold Twp. Board of Education

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Jeffrey D. Williams is one of six candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Freehold Township Board of Education in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch will publish individual profiles on the candidates leading up to the election.

Williams has two children in the school system and he says school safety is a priority for him. He says he would like to see a ratio of one police officer for every school in the district. He also said his background as a councilman in Union Beach has instilled in him the idea of transparency in government and teamwork.

Read more from candidate Jeffrey D. Williams:

Name: Jeffrey D. Williams

Age: 47

Town of residence: Freehold Township

Position sought: K-8 Board of Education, three-year term

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience: I am not an incumbent candidate, however I am a former councilman in Union Beach.

Do you have a campaign designation or slate: Students Before Politics; not part of a slate

Campaign website: Jeffrey D. Williams For Freehold Township BOE on Facebook

Family: My wife Megan, is a science/special education teacher in Manalapan High School and my daughters Bridget and Teagan are both students in the district at Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School and Applegate Elementary School, respectively.

Education: College Degree from Caldwell University

Occupation: Retirement Plan Installation Coordinator

Why do you want to run for the school board and what in your experience or background prepares you for election:

From an early age my parents instilled in me two values; the value of a good education and the passion to serve my community.

I felt the calling to serve the people of Union Beach in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and I was elected councilman. During my time as councilman, I served as liaison to the Fire Department, Police Department, Board of Health. I once again feel that calling to serve this great community as a Board of Education member.

I know that being an elected official, whether it be on a Town Council or school board, comes with criticism both fair and unfair based on decisions that have to be made for the betterment in this case, the school district. I will always be transparent and I never take any decision lightly and always do my best to work with my colleagues to think outside the box and work towards the best possible outcome. I always live by the motto “People before Politics” in this case “Students Before Politics."

Name what you see as the top issues currently facing your district and how you plan to address them. These can be local issues and/or statewide issues:

During this campaign I have gotten to speak to many of my wonderful neighbors, many of them are concerned about the State Standard Health and Physical Education Curriculum. There is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions on how this is going to be presented to our students.

I will always encourage parents to take an active role in their children's education and engage them in "dinner table conversation" to discuss these issues and if they have additional concerns they should reach out to their child's teacher.

As a prospective board member, I am not going to tell you how to treat your child or know what is best for them specifically, but I will support your child's journey and do everything I can so see that they succeed in our School District.

What changes or improvements do you see for the district that could enhance educational life and is there a way you might accomplish that:

One thing I will be working incredibly hard to do is bring the current ratio of one police officer for every two schools in the district to a 1 to 1 ratio. As a father of two students in the district and a husband of a high school teacher, the best part of my day is when my daughters get off the bus and my wife pulls into the driveway after their school days safely.

Candidates for Freehold Township Board of Education:

Full Term - Vote for Three

• Renata Brand, Parental Knowledge Consent
• Jeffrey D. Williams, Students Before Politics
• Faith Edwards
• Michael Matthews
• Elena S. O'Sullivan, Educator for Education
• Jennifer K. Patten