School Board Candidate Profile: Jacqueline McAlister

For the first time, Ocean City voters will go to the polls in a November general election to choose Board of Education representatives.

School elections have traditionally been held in April, but a statewide bill signed in January allowed school districts to move elections from April to November to save money and potentially increase voter turnout.

Four candidates will run for three seats on the Board of Education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The winners will serve three-year terms on the board. 

Incumbents H. James Bauer, Peter V. Madden and Thomas R. Oves Jr. will seek re-election, and Jacqueline A. McAlister will seek her first term.

Tiffany Prettyman is the only candidate running to complete the unexpired term of Antwan McClellan, who stepped down from the school board when he took office as a city councilman on July 1. 

The four candidates in the contested race completed the same questionnaire. McAlister's follows. The others will appear in the coming days.

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Name: Jacqueline McAlister

Age: 41

Education: BA from Bucknell University, 1993

No. of years lived in Ocean City: 11 years

Family in school system: Daughter in first grade; daughter starting kindergarten next year; nieces in 7th and 5th grades, nephew in 1st grade. 

Occupation: Public school teacher in Egg Harbor Township: an 8th grade "highly qualified" English teacher with 13 years' experience

Public service: Member and leader in the Girl Scouts program (an Ocean City Daisy Troop)

Three issues you think are most important:

• Technology: Our children are facing a computer-driven world. As parents and educators, it's our job to embrace technology in order to prepare our kids for a safe and productive future. The introduction of iPads and WiFi services in our classrooms is a step in the right direction.
• Standards: I want to help maintain the high standards and reputation of excellence our city has become known for throughout the state of New Jersey. I would like to see the PACE programs returned to our schools.
• Budget: Spending our resources wisely is in the best interest of our children and our citizens.

What would you like voters to know about you and your vision for the board?

As a public school teacher, I've dedicated my professional life to the world of education. As a mother of young children and a citizen of Ocean City, I would like share my knowledge and experience in a capacity for which I'm qualified. I have no ulterior motive, and I'm not running as an indictment against our current Board of Education — I simply want an opportunity to serve our wonderful city.

As citizens of Ocean City, we all have a vested interest in the quality of our school system. I would like the residents of Ocean City to see the board as an approachable and responsive partner united by our desire to help the students of Ocean City. Thank you.