Election 2022: Danielle Alpaugh, Colts Neck Board of Education

COLTS NECK, NJ — Danielle Alpaugh is one of six candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Colts Neck 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.

Alpaugh, who was unanimously chosen as school board president in August, said the district has made many facilities and safety improvements and continues to offer award-winning academic programs. A priority for the district is to continue to address the long-term effects from the pandemic, she says. "In order to keep our children and our community at the forefront of everything we do, we must be willing to hear each other out, respect each other and work toward a common goal," she says.

Read more from candidate Danielle Alpaugh:

Name: Danielle Alpaugh

Age: 45

Town of residence: Colts Neck, resident for approximately nine years

Position sought: Member of the Colts Neck Board of Education

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience? I am an incumbent finishing up my third term on the school board. I was unanimously appointed president in August of 2022.

Do you have a campaign designation or slate? No.

Campaign website: On Facebook @Danielle Alpaugh for Colts Neck Board of Education

Family: Wife and mother of three kids. My two youngest, boys 8 and 6, are students in the Colts Neck School District.

Education: B.A. in Political Science and English (1999) Juris Doctorate (2005)

Occupation: Former litigation attorney in Manhattan (15 years) with a focus on medical malpractice defense. Currently a proud and involved stay-at-home mom of three kids.

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

I am running for re-election to the school board because I want to serve my community and continue to be a part of a team that consistently prioritizes the education of our children with award-winning academic programs, stellar safety and security, and wellness programs modeled by other districts.

My greatest assets are my passion for and knowledge of the district. I am intimately familiar with the district's policies and have strong, collaborative relationships with the administrators and teachers.

I am an engaged participant in all our board and committee meetings, a respectful listener and a proven leader on the board. I am proud to say that every deliberation, decision and action of mine prioritizes the best interest of every student I serve.

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:

I believe there are two top issues facing our district.

First and foremost, we must continue to address the long-term effects from the pandemic, including learning loss and our student’s mental health and well-being. With the support of the Board of Education, the district has already implemented several successful programs designed to supplement in-class instruction and as a board member, I am committed to adding the resources needed to support our students and teachers as we navigate beyond COVID.

I believe another top issue facing our district and districts nationwide is the politicization of our students and our schools. By design, school boards are meant to be nonpartisan. If we set out to promote a political agenda, how can we possibly see what is in the best interest of our children and our community?

In order to keep our children and our community at the forefront of everything we do, we must be willing to hear each other out, respect each other and work toward a common goal. Our personal politics should not stand in our way.

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

Most of the promises being made by my opponents are things that the current board has already accomplished or is working on.

After a comprehensive facilities study and two failed referendums, the district has made numerous facilities and building improvements within our budget, including adding air conditioning in specific areas of our district and a major renovation to our tennis and basketball courts at Cedar.

The district has national award-winning services that are being modeled and repeated in other districts. School safety has been a top priority of the board since I began my tenure back in 2015, and long before that.

Since 2015, the district has, among other things, installed security vestibules in each school and hired Special Law Enforcement Officers for each campus.

There is, however, a lot of misinformation out there about the school board. Therefore, if I could change something, I would improve the communication between our board and the community.

Since I was appointed president in August, I have begun accomplishing that goal already. I personally respond to each email communication directed to the board, encourage collaboration from the other eight members of the board and have, along with the members of the communications committee, launched "coffee chats," at which the members of our community are invited to sit down with the board and administration and speak informally about the issues facing our district.

Candidates for Colts Neck Board of Education:
Full Term - Vote for Three

• Erin Molinaro
• John A. Camera Colts Kids First
• Matthew Fonte Colts Kids First
• Jessica Ramirez Colts Kids First
• Marian Castner Experienced, Transparent, Pragmatic
• Danielle M. Alpaugh