Election 2023: Cheryl Scuorzo, Marlboro Board of Education

MARLBORO, NJ — Cheryl Scuorzo is one of seven candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Marlboro Board of Education in the Nov. 7 school election.

She and Dora Zanet are running under the designation "Education Not Indoctrination," and are joined by candidate Craig Marshall, a former school board member, running under the designation "Advocating Family Values."

Scuorzo, of Gibson Court and a Marlboro resident for 40 years, is seeking her first term on the board. You can learn more about her at www.2023BOE.com.

Other candidates in the election are listed below, with links to more information.

No current incumbents filed to run for re-election to the school board.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Scuorzo said that, should she be elected, she would try to "safeguard parent involvement and the integrity of the curriculum," based on her professional educational experience.

She also said she would encourage connecting school and community in forming partnerships that can serve as resources and support.

Read more from Cheryl Scuorzo:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience and personal background.

Education:

• Middlesex County College - AA
• Newark State College (now Kean University) - BA
• Georgian Court - Special Ed. Certification
• Monmouth University - MS Ed (Masters) Admin/Supervision

Past Committees and volunteer work:

• Past PTA President of Marlboro Elementary School
• Past Vice President Marlboro Middle School PTA (revived Safety Patrol, ran parent workshops, inspired the "Kind Kid" program, raised money for playground which had accommodations for a student with brittle bone disease to highlight a few accomplishments.)
• Past Girl Scout/Cub Scout Leader
• Past CCD teacher (all grades 1-8) St. Gabriel's RC Church, Marlboro
• Coordinated and implemented Children's Choir - St. Gabriel's RC Church, Marlboro
• Chaired and ran Carnival for St. Gabriel's Church, Marlboro
• Organized and chaired children's events as well as craft and holiday fairs at St, Gabriel's RC Church, Marlboro
• Past Italian Club Advisor - Marlboro High School

Current committees and volunteer work:

• Marlboro Township Veterans and Volunteer Committee (member since inception, current treasurer)
• Marlboro Multicultural Committee (founder, first chair, currently member)
• President of the Italian American Association of Monmouth County -17 years and counting! Implemented their scholarship program, run all their events (which included past Italian festivals and Italian summer enrichment camp) and currently all cultural events, meetings, guest speaker events.

Teaching experience:

• Our Lady of Victories: Sayreville; 7th- and 8th-grade teacher LA and Math.
• Private tutoring: elementary grades
• Piscataway adult night classes: English as a Second Language
• Substitute teaching: Marlboro Township, Old Bridge Township, Matawan, Monroe Township - all grades. Included were the following long-term substitute assignments: 6th grade Language Arts - Old Bridge Township; 6th Grade Math - Old Bridge Township; All grade PE/Health - Robertsville School, Marlboro Township; 2nd- to 3rd-grade assignments - Old Bridge Township; Special education (BD) class - Old Bridge- Sandburg Middle School
• Freehold Adult night school: English as a Second Language
• Currently teaching in the Long Branch School District 25 years and counting! Includes the following grades taught, positions held, volunteer work: 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 1st Cohort Math supervisor grades K-2 (trained teachers, coordinated Professional development, trained supervisors in other schools as the program was implemented, organized and conducted parent workshops.); 6th, 7th and 8th grade Special Education Science/Social Studies Teacher. Currently Grades 9-12 MCI Special Education Teacher- all subjects.

Volunteer work/committees:

• Originated and organized Multicultural Day at the Long Branch Middle School. Served as Teacher Liaison for the LB Elementary school PTA, LB Middle school PTA and currently the LB High School PTO that I am currently helping to revive.
• I organized and ran two carnivals for the Long Branch School district PTA/PTO organizations to raise money for scholarships and programs for our students district wide.
• I organized and served as volunteer advisor for the Italian Club at the Long Branch Middle school.
• I conduct parent workshops for the Special Education department that provide information about resources and services for their children, and assistance with filling out forms and applications.
• I worked in partnership with Monmouth University to secure student volunteers to assist teachers in the classroom.
• I was asked to serve as a guest speaker and provide framework for classroom organization, techniques, expertise for a professor at Monmouth University that was teaching adults going alternate route for teaching.

Awards:

• Teacher of the year: Elberon School, Long Branch
• Employee of the month (five times) elementary schools, Long Branch
• District Employee of the Month: Long Branch School District
• Monmouth University Community Partnership Award
• Italian American Museum Medal for Cultural Promotion and Dedication
• PTO/PTA volunteer certificates of Appreciation (Marlboro and Long Branch)
• Certificate of Appreciation for volunteerism: Marlboro Veterans and Volunteer Committee and Multicultural Committee

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

• Class sizes
• Air conditioning and facility maintenance
• Parental involvement preserved and enhanced.
• Getting back to academic basics - balance between technology use (as well as the selection of that technology), and "paper pencil" instruction.
• Attention to the different learning styles of students.

These are all valid concerns. I plan to use my vote on the board to safeguard parent involvement and the integrity of the curriculum.

I will look closely into the issue of instructional delivery using my educational background, resources and experience to do my homework to provide solutions that will address them and make sure they are age appropriate as well.

I see the importance of connecting school and community and forming partnerships within the community that can serve as valuable resources and supports.

With every budget, there is a certain amount that can be spent. Priorities must be set, line items reviewed, and evaluated with regard to what was budgeted, what was actually used in order to ensure money was properly allocated. Resources, grant opportunities all must be explored.

In many of the organizations that I have been involved with I have found that you have to be creative and utilize resources available. Communication with all affected by the budget is paramount.

Policy 5756:

Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy.

I disagree with having separate records, i.e.; one set of records for how the student is choosing to identify and one set of records with the student's actual name and gender on the birth record, and keeping it secret from their parents.

We are a K-8 district. Children at this age developmentally do not have the maturity level to make these decisions without parental involvement and guidance. In cases where there is concern that parents that disagree with their child choosing these changes may harm the child, the same protective protocol should be in place that is initiated when child abuse or neglect is suspected.

With regard to the recent revisions that were proposed in June 2023, my understanding is that 56 57 was not totally abolished because the board felt there needed to be some guidelines and procedures in place concerning this issue. Reading over the revisions I noted that they changed the preface from "student centered approach" to family centered approach."

I agree with that change because this is something that affects the whole family on every level. I agree with the revision that parental involvement is required because of the age and maturity level of our student body, and that parents will be notified of the students request to change their gender identity expression.

The board provided support systems to be in place and protocol if there is a concern in doing so may pose danger to the health and safety of the student. Where there is a disagreement, a plan will be developed involving the student, parent and administration and resources for family counseling shall be provided. I agree with having support systems in place.

This is a very complex and sensitive issue to deal with. The most controversial component is the way to approach facility use and participation in activities. The board does try to provide an agreeable solution for both transgender and non-transgender students. However, this is still an area of great concern to me and many.

One thing that cannot be denied is a person's biological makeup and physical attributes. How defeating it is for a girl to have to compete in sports against someone who is identifying as a girl but has all the physical advantages of a boy. I disagree with allowing this. I also disagree with allowing the use of bathrooms and locker rooms for transgender students that have the physical attributes of the opposite gender.

The reason that girls, boys, men and women have had separate facilities is not discrimination. It is because they have different needs. In addition, most girls and women are uncomfortable dressing and undressing in front of the opposite gender as are some boys and men. It was never seen as discriminatory in the past to have separate facilities for these reasons. I do not deny that there are some that have a deep inner sense that does not match who they are biologically and physically and that this is a difficult struggle. They need support from all.

It is noted that the board will continue to review and update this policy. I commend them for their hard work and effort and will dedicate myself to seeing it through along with them if elected.

Marlboro Township Board of Education (Full term; vote for three):

• Dora Zanet: Education Not Indoctrination
• Shamoon Siddiqui: Keeping Parents Involved
• Chad Hyett: Focus on Education
• Craig Marshall: Advocating Family Values
• Aditi Gandhi: Focus on Education
• Cheryl Scuorzo: Education Not Indoctrination
• Susanne P. Miskiewicz: Focus on Education

Freehold Regional High School District:

Representing Marlboro: Michael Messinger (vote for one, no contest)