In a year when voters resoundingly defeated a $83-million bond referendum put forth by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, it is not surprising that enthusiasm runs low among prospective candidates for the board of education.
That would explain why, under Column L of the Hopewell Township ballot where one might expect to find the names of candidates running for the one-year unexpired term currently filled by Sarah Tracy, it reads, simply, NO PETITION FILED.
The good news is that at least three people in the township have commenced word-of-mouth campaigns, making it known that they would be willing to fill the seat if they were to receive the most write-in votes when votes are tabulated this month.
The Hopewell Express heard from three campaigners — Nick Perold, Amanda Stylianou and Theresa Vogler — who have all told us that they are ready to step in if voters should take the extra effort required to insert their names onto the ballot.
With the prevalence of early and mail-in voting, unfortunately, the Q&A below may come too late to help some voters make up their minds. But for those who have yet to submit their ballots, what follows may help them decide.
Fortunately for those voters, the process of writing in a candidate for the open seat is straightforward. Next to Column L on the ballot reads the header PERSONAL CHOICE, and below that is a blank box with a circle in the upper right hand corner. This circle is to be filled in completely, and then the candidate’s full name written legibly beneath it in the box.
Board members Jacqueline Genovesi and Dhruv Kapadia are also running for full three-year terms, while board member John Slotman to complete the final two years of the seat that he was appointed to in January. It is possible to write in candidates in those races as well, using the same process described above but in the appropriate columns.
That said, the three candidates in our Q&A below are specifically campaigning for the one-year unexpired term now filled by Tracy. Write-in votes cast for them in other races would not be transferable among the three races.
A write-in vote will count in the race for the one-year unexpired term currently held by Tracy only if the candidate is written in next to Column L.
Nick Perold, 39, is a business coach who has lived in Hopewell for 4 years. He and wife Ashley live on Moores Mill Mount Rose Road with daughter Rowan, 6, son Jasper, 4, and dog Max.
Amanda Stylianou, 40, is a social worker who has lived in Hopewell for 10 years. She grew up in Montgomery and her husband, Chris, grew up in Lawrence. They have three daughters: a 6th grader at Timberlane and 1st-grade twins at Bear Tavern.
Theresa Vogler, 66, known to friends as Tracy, is a nonpracticing lawyer who first moved to Hopewell in 1968, and has lived in Hopewell Township for the past 26 years.
Husband Michael Ruger is a member of the Hopewell Township Committee. Children Teddy, Billy and Bobby all graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School.
Q. Why have you decided to campaign as a write-in candidate for Hopewell Valley school board?
Nick Perold: I was surprised to learn that there weren’t more people stepping forward to contribute their talents to the school board this year. The school board plays an essential role in shaping the development of one of our most important resources: our children.
When I saw that the board would benefit from some additional interest and support I decided to volunteer my time in an effort to help improve experiences and outcomes in our schools.
Amanda Stylianou: As a town, we have tough decisions we need to make over the next year. We have critical infrastructure needs across our schools that must be addressed. And, as we learned from the failed referendum, we must be more responsive to the needs of our entire community.
For those of you who know me, I deeply value our community and creating spaces for everyone to feel heard. If elected, I will engage members across our community, listen to their concerns, and develop a path forward to a revised referendum.
Theresa Vogler: I’d like to see our community working together to advance our student opportunities and provide strong educational value with our tax dollars. We can start with responsible and realistic budgeting, revisiting the starting time for the middle and high schools, and strengthening academic freedom and outcomes.
Q. Why not run as a full candidate on the ballot? Why join the race only as a write-in candidate?
Amanda Stylianou: After the board’s referendum failed and an open one-year term remained on the ballot, I decided to step up and serve. My leadership skills are a strong fit for building consensus and moving us toward solutions.
Theresa Vogler: I had some health challenges over the summer and waited until they were resolved before making my decision. It would have been wrong to join the race before being certain I was able to fully serve.
Q. Why should Hopewell Township voters write your name in on their ballot?
Nick Perold: I believe our primary role as parents and educators is to provide children with guidance, training, and tools to help them lead empowered, meaningful, generous lives. Mental health and the ability to pursue goals in spite of challenges are the very foundation of this, but right now both of these elements are seriously at risk for many young people because of social media and an emphasis on academic accolades over problem-solving and making an impact.
If elected I would advocate for decisions and policies that strengthen our children holistically so they have a chance to be all they can be.
Amanda Stylianou: As a mom with children in our school district, nothing is more important than investing in our children. I am committed to investing in the future of our schools and doing so responsibly and transparently. I am committed to ensuring academic excellence through a rigorous and inclusive curriculum while prioritizing our children’s well-being and mental health. I will champion policies that maintain strong student-teacher ratios and offer a wide range of programs that support every student’s academic and personal growth. I will advocate for all children to feel valued and have a sense of belonging in our schools and community. Let’s move forward together and create a plan for our schools we can all be proud of.
Theresa Vogler: The board must revisit the budget. I have worked for law firms and accounting firms, and will bring my skills to budgeting. I respect Dr. Treece and the board, and will consider district priorities and the best funding methods. I will prioritize transparency and community input from the very beginning of the process.
Regarding middle and high schools’ starting time, studies have shown that later start times for teenagers lead to better academic as well as mental health outcomes. I saw my boys struggle with early classes, and believe we should follow the science and consider adjusting when classes begin.
I believe we can better prepare our students for success by broadening their experience. I strongly oppose any attempts to ban books in our schools. Our students need exposure to alternate viewpoints and ideas in order to stimulate critical thinking and encourage their understanding of the world.
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Nick Perold.,
