Holmdel Board Of Education Election 2024: Kimberly Tuccillo

HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel's general election on Nov. 5 has seven candidates running for three open seats on the Holmdel Board of Education.

Incumbent Kimberly Tuccillo is running for one of three seats with Surekha Collur and Raymond Kim. Opposing candidates include Jeff Sargent, Terence Wall, Mary Corrigan, and John Giampolo.

Are you running for the Board of Education in Holmdel? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Holmdel Patch.

Kimberly Tuccillo

Age: 46
Town of residence: Holmdel
Education: Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Montclair State University
Occupation: Speech Language Pathologist

What drove you to seek public office?
My parents moved to Holmdel 38 years ago, in 1986, and my three sisters and I chose to raise our families here as well. Collectively, we have 10 children in the Holmdel school system, ranging from a senior at Holmdel High School to a kindergartner.

My husband, David, an Air Force veteran of Desert Storm, and I have four children. Nicholas, a 2019 HHS graduate, now works for Holmdel Township and was named Holmdel Firefighter of the Year for 2023. Madeline attends Holmdel High School, is a student-athlete, and serves on the Liv Like a Unicorn Youth Board. Amanda is a student-athlete at Satz and Thomas is at Indian Hill and is active in sports and the concert band.

When I first ran for the Board of Education it was to give back to the community I call home and to represent the voices of our community members and students. Now, three years later, I am running again because I want to continue the positive work I have been doing.

I am deeply invested in our school district, our children, and the Holmdel community. I believe we should all strive to "Live Holmdel BLUE"— to be respectful, live responsibly, uphold fairness, and embrace our community.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
With 24 years of experience in education, I am uniquely qualified to serve as a valuable member of the Holmdel Board of Education.

Having worked directly in the school system, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities our schools face, both from a professional and community standpoint. This experience allows me to make informed decisions that prioritize the needs of students, teachers, and families.

My practical understanding of how policies impact day-to-day learning enables me to advocate for meaningful, positive changes in our district— a perspective no other candidate can offer.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Holmdel, and how will you resolve it?
One of the biggest challenges facing Holmdel is ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive, no matter their background, abilities, or personal circumstances.

Every child deserves the same opportunities to succeed, and that means addressing gaps in achievement and making sure we have the right systems in place to support them. I believe strongly in expanding early childhood education and providing more support for students with special needs. We also need to prioritize mental health services and anti-bullying programs so that our schools are safer and more inclusive for everyone.

From the start of my first term, I’ve seen firsthand how issues like Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) have been on the rise. That’s why I’ve continually advocated for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in our schools. PBIS isn’t just about improving student behavior; it’s a holistic framework that supports kids' academic, social, emotional, and mental health.

When it’s done right, it not only helps students but also improves school climate, boosts academic success, and even supports teacher well-being. It's about creating a positive and safe environment where every student, teacher, and staff member feels valued and supported.

In 2023, I introduced PBIS to Holmdel staff through the "Living Holmdel B.L.U.E." initiative, which encourages students to Be respectful, Live responsibly, Uphold fairness, and Embrace citizenship. We launched this program during the 2023-2024 school year, and while we're in the second year of a three-year rollout, there’s still a lot more we can do to make it even stronger.

If given the opportunity, I would continue to build on PBIS to ensure that our curriculum reflects the diversity of our students in terms of race, gender, culture, and ability.

I also believe we need to continue adapting our teaching methods to reflect the unique backgrounds and experiences of Holmdel families. My goal is to extend the PBIS framework beyond the classroom, involving buses and homes, and getting families and the community more engaged in the process.

The more we work together, the more we can improve outcomes for all our students.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
During my three years on the Board of Education, I have been actively involved in several key roles, including serving on the Curriculum, Budget & Finance, and Policy Committees, acting as the liaison for SEPAC, and contributing to the district's 5-year strategic plan.

During this time, we've achieved several important milestones: we created a more inclusive school calendar, streamlined the schedules at Satz and the High School to improve resource allocation, staffing, and bussing efficiency, reinstated a dedicated head of guidance, and transitioned committee meetings to an open discussion format.

We’ve also expanded after-school activities and STEAM programs in all schools, opened a new turf multi-purpose field with lights, and implemented an innovative AI integration policy. At the middle school level, we introduced writing and math labs, and at the high school, we significantly increased Dual Enrollment options.

I feel my greatest contribution has been spearheading the launching of the Live Holmdel B.L.U.E. initiative to promote positive behavior.

Name one thing about Holmdel that always makes you smile.
One thing about Holmdel that always makes me smile is the strong sense of community we share.

With my entire family still living in town and my children attending the same schools I did, I love that we’re all connected through this close-knit community. There’s something special about knowing that in times of need, any parent in town will step in to help.

That sense of security and support is what makes Holmdel feel like home, and I’m proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply for one another.