Four Lawrence Township Board of Education seats will be on ballot for the general election Nov. 5.
Three candidates are running unopposed for three-year terms on the board. Candidates are incumbents Michael Horan and Laura Waters and first-time candidate Patricia Evans.
Additionally, a one-year seat for an unexpired term is on the ballot. Dana Drake and Joseph Crouthamel initially put their names in the race, but have since dropped out.
Though she has withdrawn from the race, Dana Drake will still be listed on the ballot for a one-year term. Joseph Crouthamel said he has withdrawn from the race and will not be on the ballot.
Patricia “Pepper” Evans, 56, is running for her first seat on the board. She is a consultant for Silver Century Foundation and has her own consulting businesses for independent living. Evans is coming to the end of her third three-year term on the Lawrence Township Education Foundation board of trustees. She was previously the president of LTEF. Evans was also the first board president for HomeFront and remains involved in the organization, including their involvement with the Lawrence Township Community Center.
Evans said coming to the school board after spending nine years serving LTFE is a natural progression. She is interested in seeing school operations from a different angle. She supports actions by the current administration. Evans was inspired to run for board by her daughters’ education at Lawrence Township schools. Evans said her daughters are receiving a fine education in public school and wants to continue to provide that for other students and their parents.
During her time on the board, Evans hopes to build up community engagement, such as investments by local businesses, higher attendance at board meetings and bigger crowds at athletic events.
Evans has lived in the township for about 30 years. She has two daughters, a freshman and a junior who are actively involved at LHS. Evans is a widow.
Michael Horan, 42, is seeking reelection to his seat on the board. He previously sat on the board in the 1990s when he moved the Lawrence Township after attending Rider University. Horan is the senior manager of communications at Campbell’s Soup in Camden. He currently coaches for the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association, and has also coached basketball, t-ball and little league for the township recreation programs.
Horan said he returned to the board after his term in the ’90s because he wanted to learn more about the board operations, specifically budgeting. His goal is to create a budget that accommodates parent interests, such as athletics and special education. Horan also thinks his background in communications helps create an open line of communication between the board, parents and Lawrence residents who do not have children in the district.
Among Horan’s ideas for the board is an interest in developing a summer camp program similar to Mercer County Community College’s camp. He envisions an affordable camp that utilizes the district’s facilities and uses teachers, LHS students and college kids as counselors and course instructors.
Additionally, Horan hopes to focus building community involvement in the district’s athletic programs.
Horan has lived in the township since 1996. He is set to celebrate his 16th wedding anniversary with his wife, Stacey, in October. The couple has two children in the district, a fourth grader at Lawrence Intermediate School and a first grader at Eldridge Park.
Laura Waters, 53, is seeking reelection. She won her first seat on the board in April 2003 and was elected president in April 2004. Waters is a freelance writer who contributes to NJ Spotlight and WHYY. She serves on the advisory board for the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County and works with Every Child Valued.
Waters said New Jersey school boards are under onerous pressure because of new tenure legislation that changes the way teachers are evaluated. She thinks the board needs experienced members to make the transitions as graceful as possible. Waters hopes the board can find a balance between being compliant to state regulations and easing the stress of the faculty.
Waters and her husband, Dennis, have three children who went through the Lawrence Township school system and a 17 year old at LHS.
