Point Pleasant School Board Election 2024: Dawn Coughlan

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — Patch is again publishing profiles of local candidates in the 2024 election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The Point Pleasant Board of Education election has four candidates seeking three, three-year seats. Dawn M. Coughlan, running on the Guiding Panthers Forward slogan, and Lawrence "Larry" Williams are seeking re-election. Hannah Corbin, running on the Advocating for Education! slogan, and Gregory Hillman also are seeking one of the three seats.

The candidates received the same questions. Here is the response from Dawn Coughlan.

Name: Dawn Coughlan

Age: 49

Family: Married to Tim; two children, ages 9 and 19

Education: Bachelor's in English Literature, Minor in Fine Arts, and Education Certificate K-8 from Rutgers University; Master's in Curriculum and Learning, Bilingual & ESL certificates from William Paterson University, High Honors

Occupation: Teacher

Any previous elected office or appointments in local government? Board Member, Point Pleasant Borough Board of Education (2022 – present); Board Vice President (2023); Board President (2024)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. None

Why are you running for office?

I am running for school board to continue to bring the perspective of an educator and a mother to the Point Pleasant Schools. As a teacher with more than 25 years of experience in the classroom, my educational and real-life experience in curriculum development has, and will continue to provide a much-needed point of view on the school board. Further, I recognize that fiscal responsibility and accountability must work hand in hand to provide the resources our students need.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing the Point Pleasant School District right now and how would you address it?

In my time on the Board, I have been part of the District's Strategic Plan in an effort to implement a safe, inclusive, challenging, and engaging educational curriculum that ensures our children are prepared for their future. These efforts have included, but are not limited to: updating the STEAM program in the district, providing family nights for academic and social-emotional learning workshops, and exploring STEM-focused and technology-based education. While we have done much to better reach all students’ needs and goals, this is an ongoing endeavor. I want to continue to ensure that all our students are prepared to succeed in whatever future they choose to pursue.

Name one thing about the Point Pleasant School District that always makes you smile.

I am grateful for the tireless effort that the teachers in Point Pleasant put forth for the children of the district. Both of my children have been fortunate to have had wonderful teachers that engaged, challenged, and cared for them as if they were their own children. With my son I have seen firsthand how that nurturing has helped shape him into a confident young man in college. My daughter is now getting this wonderful experience, and I am excited to see what her future brings.