Board to appoint new member Aug. 14 after interviews with two candidates

The Colts Neck Township School District Board of Education interviewed candidates to fill a board vacancy at its July 31 meeting and said the board president and vice president will notify applicants by email; the board will make an official appointment at its Aug. 14 meeting. Board President Jessica told the room the appointment date "will satisfy the bylaws we have been following."

Two candidates spoke during the public interview period. Phyllis Camra introduced herself as "a mother of four" and a longtime educator and parental advocate who described a career that included oversight roles in law-enforcement-related integrity work. Camra told the board her priorities would include "parental rights," strengthening curriculum and supporting students with special needs; she said she wants to ensure third- through fifth-grade students "have the Pearson resources" currently used elsewhere in the region.

Rich Wickford, who identified himself as a project manager for his family construction company and a local youth coach, emphasized community ties and transparency. Wickford said he would focus on maintaining the district's reputation and supporting programs that keep Colts Neck a model school system. "My goal ... is to keep Colts Neck a model of what a school system should look like," he said.

Throughout the questioning, candidates highlighted shared themes: a commitment to parental communication and transparency, attention to special-education supports, and concern about school facilities and fiscal stewardship. The board signaled it will complete its internal deliberations following the interviews and announce the selection by email before the appointment is made at the Aug. 14 meeting.