Colts Neck Board of Education Election 2024: Phyllis Camera

COLTS NECK, NJ — Colts Neck’s general election on Nov. 5 has two candidates running for one, open one-year seat on the Board of Education.

Candidate Phyllis Camera is running for the open seat against opponent Tracy Kramer.

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

Phyllis Camera

Age: 46
Town of residence: Colts Neck
Education: Masters of Education from Rutgers University
Occupation: 5th Grade Teacher at Wemrock Brook School (2021 National Blue Ribbon School) in Manalapan, NJ.

What drove you to seek public office?
I have been a proud resident of Colts Neck for over 12 years, after being raised in Marlboro. I was drawn to this community for its conservative family values, open space, and high-quality education. I am proud to be raising my four children, Jocelynn, Julianna, Jaydon, and Jonas in Colts Neck.

I am running to complete and honor my late husband John Camera's term, (Colts Neck’s previous BOE President) continuing his vision for our school district. His vision centered on advocating for parental rights, protecting our children from government mandates and overreach, and ensuring fiscal responsibility by reducing excessive administrative spending and maintaining budgets with minimal or no tax increases.

As a 20+ year teacher in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, where I have worked in two Blue Ribbon schools, I believe I can significantly contribute to the Colts Neck Board of Education with my extensive background.

I believe in focusing on ensuring strong fundamentals in academics. I aim to elevate our schools to Blue Ribbon status and work on research, grants, and alternative funding methods. I will continue to focus on a framework for effective learning, which includes purposely planning, active learning, targeted intervention, and data-driven decisions. I am concerned about excessive iPad and Chromebook use and am interested in creating a policy aligned with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations on screen time.

I left the NJEA in January 2020 because my parental rights were being stripped away by the Democratic Party, particularly Senator Steve Sweeney. I am firmly against the sexualization and exploitation of children, which includes events like Drag Queen Story Hour promoted by the NJEA.

I am committed to representing the voices of Colts Neck families, always prioritizing parental choice and ensuring transparency in decision-making. I will foster respectful engagement between Board of Education members, teachers, counselors, staff, and students and will always advocate and vote for the best interests of our children.

My most significant accomplishment is the title "Mom." John Camera, our four children, my two stepchildren, and all the children of Colts Neck are the driving force behind my candidacy for a seat on the Colts Neck Board of Education.

I will be an unwavering advocate for the rights of Colts Neck students, ensuring educational excellence and focusing on a safe and inclusive learning environment. I am committed to progressing with purpose and educating with passion to ensure the best outcomes for our students and community.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart from other candidates is my commitment to the Colts Kids First vision and the collective strength of our team.

I am running with an exceptional slate of candidates—Rob Scales, Brian Scarpa, and Sara Horowitz (Scales, Scarpa, and Horowitz are running for three open full-term seats on the Board of Education). Our shared vision is captured in our slogan: Progressing with Purpose, Educating with Passion, Pioneering Our Future.

Here’s what sets the Colts Kids First slate apart:

• Progressing with Purpose: We are driven by clear, intentional goals that enhance our educational system. Every decision we make is focused on the well-being and growth of all students. We don't just want to maintain the status quo—we want to actively improve it, ensuring that our schools are at the forefront of innovation and excellence.
• Educating with Passion: Our team is deeply committed to education, not just as a policy matter but as a personal passion. We believe in inspiring each child to reach their fullest potential. My experience as a teacher and advocate, combined with the expertise of my running mates, ensures that we will bring this passion to every classroom.
• Pioneering Our Future: The future demands that we equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our team is committed to creating an educational environment that is both inclusive and forward-thinking, ensuring that our children are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

CKF TEAM GOALS:

• APPROVING Sound and Fiscally Conservative Budgets
• FOCUSING on Fundamentals in Academics
• PROTECTING Title IX Integrity and Maintaining Core Principles
• SUPPORTING Parental Rights for Common Sense, Pro-Family Policies
• COMMITTING to Creating a Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment for All Students
• PROMOTING Transparency, Communication, and Accountability
• RESEARCHING Grants and Alternative Funding Methods

As a united team, we bring diverse experiences and a shared dedication to building a dynamic, supportive learning environment. What sets us apart is our ability to work collaboratively while keeping a laser focus on what matters most: the success of every child in our district.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Colts Neck, and how will you resolve it?
The biggest issue facing Colts Neck Township Schools is the impact of the Livana housing unit being built on our school system. It is located across from Colts Neck High School with 360 new rental residences.

With additional students entering our schools, this will strain our resources in three key areas:

• Class Sizes: With the influx of new students, our classrooms could become overcrowded, affecting the quality of education by reducing individual attention to students. We need to ensure that we maintain reasonable student-to-teacher ratios by exploring ways to expand staffing and facilities without sacrificing educational standards.
• Budget Strain: Adding classrooms and additional school buses will require a significant increase in our annual school budget. This is a direct burden on Colts Neck taxpayers. The solution lies in electing fiscally responsible members to the school board who can advocate for smart budgeting and potentially secure state or alternative funding, ensuring that taxpayer money is used efficiently.
• Infrastructure Stress: The town’s infrastructure, including roads, schools, public services, and emergency response, may not be equipped to handle population growth. This can lead to deterioration in public services.

I will work to mitigate these challenges by pushing for long-term financial planning, exploring partnerships and shared service agreements, and making sure our schools remain high-quality while minimizing the impact on taxpayers.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
I bring a wealth of experience and qualifications that make me an ideal candidate for this position.

As a dedicated educator, I’ve had the privilege of teaching in two Blue Ribbon schools within the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, where I taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, along with Academically Talented students. In addition, I’ve worked as a Math Interventionist, helping students strengthen their foundational skills. This diverse experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), and the varied needs of students across all levels of learning.

One of my proudest accomplishments as an educator has been coaching Odyssey of the Mind (OotM), a worldwide program that encourages creative problem-solving through teamwork and the development of individual creativity.

The program allows students to collaborate in solving a long-term problem, which they then present at a competition. This experience nurtured students’ innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration — skills I would love to see expanded in Colts Neck Township Schools to benefit our students' overall development.

Beyond the classroom, I bring valuable financial management experience from my personal life. As a mom, I’ve had to carefully budget and manage resources to ensure my family’s needs are met, especially after becoming a widow. Running a household on a single income has taught me how to stretch every dollar while prioritizing, from school supplies to sports activities.

Additionally, as a campaign manager and treasurer, I’ve gained further financial insight by overseeing campaign budgets, and ensuring that funds are allocated efficiently to maximize impact. These experiences, both personal and professional, have given me an understanding of how to manage finances with care, accountability, and a focus on long-term sustainability — skills I’ll bring to the Board of Education to ensure smart, fiscally responsible decision-making.

These combined experiences make me qualified to serve on the Colts Neck Board of Education. I am committed to advocating for conservative values and high-quality education while ensuring fiscal responsibility, and delivering the best outcomes for our students and the community.

Name one thing about Colts Neck that always makes you smile.
It’s hard to name just one thing about Colts Neck that always makes me smile. From my love of the incredible food and desserts at Delicious Orchards, where my daughter Julianna now works, to the countless memories my kids have made through their sports teams because of the dedication of members of the Colts Neck Sports Foundation, Colts Neck is filled with moments that warm my heart.

But if I had to choose one thing, it would be passing the many horse stables. There’s something incredibly calming about driving past stable after stable. It always reminds me to pause, appreciate the beauty of nature, and feel grateful for the peace that comes with living in this town. The wide-open spaces, picturesque landscapes, and grazing horses are a constant reminder of God’s workmanship.

I suppose you could say, Colts Neck is where beauty, community, and delicious apple cider donuts come together — what more could anyone ask for?