Election 2022: Jessica Ramirez, Colts Neck Board of Education

COLTS NECK, NJ — Jessica Ramirez 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.

Ramirez is running on the Colts Kids First slate. She says there should be an opt-in rather than opt-out policy regarding the state mandated health education curriculum. If elected, she said her "time on the board will focus on improving test scores through a refocus on core education competencies and reflecting parents’ values in the curriculum we establish."

Read more from candidate Jessica Ramirez:

Name: Jessica Ramirez

Age: 34

Town of residence: Colts Neck

Position sought: Board of Education - full term

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience? I am not an incumbent however, I do have experience on various college boards such as Alumni Board, Scholarship Board, and Graduate Student Government.

Do you have a campaign designation or slate? Yes, Colts Kids First.

Campaign website: Colts Kids First on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ColtsKidsFirst/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coltskidsfirst/ )

Family: I am married to my husband of almost 14 years, Justin, and we have one child, Lincoln.

Education: I went to public school in Jackson, growing up; attended undergraduate (B.A. Psychology) and graduate (M.S. Occupational Therapy) at Kean University.

Occupation: Occupational therapist

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

In 2020 our family moved to Colts Neck partly due to the school district’s reputation. However, hearing firsthand from concerned parents about the board’s dismissiveness and lack of positive action, I quickly realized that something needed to be done. There are numerous areas that lack attention from our board, including facility maintenance, the mental health of our children, and our curriculum. These concerns are coupled with sex ed mandates that are not only inappropriate but do not include the consent of parents. This is what is compelling me to run. Parents should play an active role in their child’s education which includes the structure of the curriculum, and the values reinforced by them. I’m a mother first, and an advocate for positive change for my child. This along with my experience in OT where we always put the patient first, and take prescriptive action based on a patient’s diagnosis, prepares me to make the positive change this board is so desperately in need of.

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:

Our slate is Colts Kids First and I am running along with John Camera and Matt Fonte. We believe in the following:

• Having open, transparent meetings where parents have a voice which is heard.
• Keeping our children safe from sexualization and political indoctrination within the curriculum.
• Improving test scores to make Colts Neck students succeed beyond grade school.
• Improving facilities for our children to be safe and comfortable in their learning environment.
• The importance and need to be financially responsible with taxpayers monies.

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.

1. Current mandated curriculum and changing to an opt-in policy vs opt out. As a BOE member I plan to stand up to the governor and anyone else who believes these new mandates and guidelines are appropriate for our grade school children to be subject to.

2. Improving communication and transparency between the BOE and parents. This builds trust between the community and its board. As a parent, you have a say in your child’s education, period.
3. The budget: We need to refocus our budget and improve our school facilities so children and staff are comfortable and safe. I believe being good steward of taxpayer dollars is essential and I would take care to do so as a board member. Our actions should be thoughtful and intentional.

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

These past two years have done tremendous harm to our children. Evidence of this is seen in
lower test scores, higher anxiety, and increased suicide among our kids. Colts Neck needs to
refocus on core educational competencies (e.g. math, science, reading, and writing) that put our children in a position to succeed, not political ideologies that harm our children emotionally and physically. Colts Neck is one of the most special places in New Jersey with great farms, local shops, and families. Part of keeping it special is making it a place where our children are afforded a best-in-class education and where the outcomes reflect it. My time on the board will focus on improving test scores through a refocus on core education competencies and reflecting parents’ values in the curriculum we establish.

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