Election 2022: Annette Siewert, Marlboro Board of Education

MARLBORO, NJ — Annette Siewert is one of six candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Marlboro Board of Education in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, based on questions provided, the candidates give voters background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch is publishing individual profiles leading up to the election.

Siewart says one of her goals is to create a Parent Committee to "provide the advocacy parents have been seeking over the last three years. The committee would be responsible for parent correspondence following monthly meetings to problem solve and ensure questions are answered."

Read more from candidate Annette Siewert:

Name: Annette Siewert

Age: 39

Town of residence: Marlboro

Position sought: Three-year term on the Marlboro Township Board of Education

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience? I am neither an incumbent nor have any civic experience.

Do you have a campaign designation or slate? I am running as an independent candidate alongside like minded individuals with the same platform of Parenting Over Politics.

Campaign website: ParentingOverPolitics.com

Family: Married to my high school sweetheart for 15 years and parents to three children, a daughter, 13; and sons 11 and 7, all of whom attend Marlboro schools.

Education: From 2001-2003 I obtained 2+ years of college credits with a major in early childhood Education. I then chose to enroll in trade school as a cosmetologist. I completed my course requirements in 2003 and was licensed shortly after. In 2021 I completed my online master colorist certification with Wella International and obtained the title of Master Colorist.

Occupation: For the last 20 years I have built a business behind the chair as a licensed beauty professional. In 2022 I became a business owner and am currently a salon suite owner and operator.

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

I began attending Marlboro board meetings in 2019. Educators and I have always been kindred spirits and I was deeply interested in the functionality of the board. Being an involved parent led me on this path of volunteering and civil service to be a board member myself. I believe my life experiences have polished my ability to have healthy conversations about tough topics, ask the hard questions and connect the dots for a proactive overall result.

If you are running as part of a slate of candidates, please explain the main positions of the slate if there are agreed upon positions. Please name your slate and its other candidates:

Parenting Over Politics has decided to run as a team, independent from each other. Valentina Mendez and Michael Lilonsky are my running mates. We are aligned on many topics, however, we are also different in many ways. We all strongly agree that parents know what’s best for their children.

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:

In the past decade or so, under the current administration, the board has lost control. We have seen the board renew contracts early, approve goals that are far too easy to obtain and merit bonuses and tax increases. If elected, I give my word to work diligently for my constituents, fellow parents and community members of the district while always putting the children as top priority.

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

A goal of mine is to bring forth the concept and create a Parent Committee. This committee would be compromised of up to four board members and will provide the advocacy parents have been seeking over the last three years. The committee would be responsible for parent correspondence following monthly meetings to problem solve and ensure questions are answered. I would like to leave a lasting impression on the board and leave it better than I found it.

Candidates for Marlboro Township Board of Education:

Full Term - Vote for Three

• Annette Siewert, Parenting Over Politics
• Anu Shanbhag, Hearts And Minds
• Valentina Mendez, Parenting Over Politics
• Randy Heller, Building On Experience
• Jennifer Silacci, Building On Experience
• Michael Lilonsky, Parenting Over Politics