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Re-Elect DeVuyst, O’Donnell, and Hunter to Waterford Board of Education, Waterford Works, NJ (2026)

11/06/2024

Hi Everyone.

We are honored and grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us by re-electing us to serve on the Board of Education. Your support is not just a reflection of our shared commitment to the future of our students, but also an affirmation of the work we’ve done together to improve our schools and community.

As we continue to represent our students and residents, we promise to remain dedicated to advocating for quality education, fostering a safe and inclusive environment, and working to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Your involvement in our school is what makes our district great. We encourage you to attend our meetings to express your concerns so we can better serve our community.

Thank you again for your support. Together, we will continue to make a positive difference.

Sincerely,

Roe, Ehren, and Ben

11/01/2024

Hi Everyone! Since we are getting closer to the election, I wanted to post this again.

My name is Roe Hunter. Ehren O’Donnell, Ben DeVuyst, and I are running for re-election to the Waterford Township Board of Education. We would like to ask for your support in the upcoming election.

Please check out our re-election page for more information about us and our time on the board. Thank you for your consideration!

10/31/2024

Hi Everyone!

My name is Roe Hunter. Ehren O’Donnell, Ben DeVuyst, and I are running for re-election to the Waterford Township Board of Education. We would like to ask for your support in the upcoming election.

We have decided to run for re-election as a team because we share the same vision for our district. We believe that a student-centered education is the best way to help our students achieve their full potential.

One of the main principles behind a student-centered education is adapting our curriculum to try and meet each learner at their level. This can be achieved by utilizing programs and supports that are already in place, such as Response to Intervention, known as RTI. These types of programs are essential to ensure the growth of all students.

As board members, we want to see every student succeed so they are prepared for life's challenges. We are committed to working hard to ensure that our students receive the best possible education. As parents, we know that parental involvement is also critical to our children's success, and we encourage it.

We believe in a collaborative working relationship with the parents, staff, community and the district administration. Collaboration of all stakeholders reinforces the curiosity that drives a successful education.

Additionally, student safety is a crucial part of any positive educational experience. It’s imperative that we do everything that we can to ensure that our students are safe and protected in their learning environment. We have a School Resource Officer in each of our three buildings, and several other security measures in place to keep all our kids safe.

Please help us to continue serving our district by voting to re-elect DeVuyst (1), O’Donnell (2), and Hunter (3) on November 5th. Thank you for your support!

10/28/2024

As school board members, we understand that increased taxes can be a contentious issue for our community. It’s important to communicate that these adjustments are essential for maintaining and improving the quality of education we provide to our students. We do our best to anticipate funding shortfalls and we try to be as proactive as possible.

The funding directly supports our essential programs, maintain facilities, and ensures that we can attract and retain qualified educators. We are committed to being transparent about how these funds will be used and to engaging with the community to address any concerns.

I believe we all share the same goals: we want the best education possible for our children; we want them to be safe in their learning environment; we want to be responsible and respectful of our community and our taxpayers, because we understand the economic challenges that we are all facing every day.

In NJ, a school district can only raise taxes by 2% each year. If the full 2% isn’t used, that amount can be carried over to the next year. It’s referred to as banked cap. If the banked cap isn’t used within 3 years, it expires.

Here are the annual percentages that school taxes have increased since 2018, when Mr. DeVuyst and I were elected. Mr. O’Donnell was elected in 2021.

2018/2019- 0.63%
2019/2020- 1.9%
2020/2021- 3.28%
2021/2022- 0%
2022/2023- 1.25%
2023/2024- 3%
2024/2025- 2%

We advertise our annual budget meeting and all of our meetings can be attended in person or by zoom. We strongly encourage all residents to attend these meetings and ask questions. We all love when members of our community are involved in our schools- because community engagement and involvement makes our district better.

Together, we can ensure that our schools remain a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed while maintaining fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers.

As always, we appreciate your support!

10/20/2024

Hi Stephanie. Thank you for your question.

Navigating the complexities of Title IX changes and Education Policy 5756 requires a balanced approach that considers the perspectives of all stakeholders involved.

It is important that students feel safe and supported in their educational journey. As a district, we have the responsibility of ensuring compliance with these regulations, while fostering an environment of inclusion and respect. Educators and administrators play a crucial role in understanding and implementing these changes; these policies must be tailored to meet the unique needs of each district while ensuring that students' rights are upheld.

It's also imperative the district consider the views of parents and community members since their views are an important factor to consider to ensure that the educational values align with community standards. As an elected representative of the community, it’s my job to represent all members of our community and take all viewpoints into consideration when changes are required.

In 2021, our position was clearly demonstrated when our board wrote a resolution to New Jersey School Boards expressing our concerns and the need to strike a better balance between the parents’ rights and the child’s rights. Two of the three of us running for re-election were on the board at that time. We understand parental involvement is crucial in any major decisions that concern their children.

Our position is that while the changes may pose challenges in implementation and adaptation, the focus should remain on creating a safer, more equitable educational experience for all students, while considering the views of the community.

We (parents, board members, administrators, and educators) all share the common goal of nurturing our students and making their safety and wellbeing a priority.

Communication with all stakeholders is so important. This collaborativee approach can foster a culture of respect and understanding, ultimately benefiting our entire educational community.

Our policies are available on our district website for review. We strongly encourage all parents with concerns to come address us at our board meetings as well as continue to ask questions via this FB channel.

Roe, Ehren, and Ben

10/08/2024

Voting for the Waterford Township Board of Education is as easy as 1 (DeVuyst), 2 (O'Donnell), and 3 (Hunter) this year! Thank you for your support!

09/07/2024

Hello! My name is Roe Hunter, and I am running for re-election to the Waterford Township Board of Education. I believe that a student-centered education is important for all our children and that their needs should come first.

My husband, Matt, and I have lived in Atco for 25 years. We raised our three children here, and they have all attended Waterford and Hammonton schools. Our older children are in college, and our youngest son is going into 6th grade at WES this year.

I have a Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree, and I am employed full-time outside of the home. My job has taught me that everyone’s circumstances are unique, and with the proper guidance, tools, and education, anyone can achieve success and improve their situation. I believe the same approach applies to our students.

I have been committed to the students, parents, and staff since my children began in our district. I have been involved with Home and School from the time my daughter started school. I was a room parent for several years and volunteered at other HSA events. I also spent six years on the Home and School Executive Committee, including three and a half years as President, prior to being elected to the board in 2018.

During my time on the board, our district has continued to improve and excel. We were awarded the prestigious Lighthouse Award in 2019, which was a direct result of the achievements the district made in increasing test scores and attendance. We also weathered a global pandemic and offered our parents several options for returning their children to school during an uncertain time. These achievements were only possible because of the strong working relationship between the board, the Administration, and our amazing staff.

I am dedicated to ensuring that our schools are providing the quality education that our students deserve. I have been involved with teacher negotiations and ensuring that mutually beneficial contracts were agreed upon. I was also involved with the search for our new Superintendent.

I believe that all students deserve the best possible education, as well as a safe and nurturing learning environment. As a parent, the safety and security of our students and staff is paramount to me. I also recognize that this must be achieved while maintaining a fiscal responsibility to all our taxpayers and I keep that in mind with each decision that I make.

In addition, I have been the Waterford representative on the Hammonton Board of Education for the past two years. As the Waterford representative, I am also on the Hammonton Negotiations Committee and the Curriculum Committee. We recently hired a new Superintendent, and brokered new contracts for all staff, administrators, support staff, bus drivers, and cafeteria aides. These contracts were mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

As a representative for all Waterford students, I strive to ensure that the needs of our students are met so that our kids have continued success through grade school, middle school, and high school. I am committed to being a voice for all our students, no matter which school they attend.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to work closely with our dedicated staff over these last six years to make sure that our district has been the best that it can be. Please help me to continue my commitment of putting all our kids first by re-electing Hunter, DeVuyst, and O’Donnell on November 5th!

Thank you!

09/07/2024

Hello, my name is Benjamin DeVuyst, and I am seeking your support to continue my service on the Waterford Township Board of Education.

Over the past five years as a board member, I have dedicated myself to enhancing our local education system. Both of my grandparents were committed public school educators, and their lifelong dedication to teaching has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of a strong local education system.

I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Animation and Graphic Design from SUNY Fredonia in upstate New York. My background in the arts reinforces my belief in nurturing creativity within our schools, which I believe is essential for supporting the overall well-being of our students. In my professional life, I am a dedicated public servant with a consistent focus on ensuring the safety and welfare of our community. This role has further strengthened my resolve to advocate for all residents, families, and students in our town.

I have lived in Atco for over 13 years and am a parent of three children with diverse needs and talents. It is because of this that I understand the importance of providing varied educational opportunities and individualized support. Working collaboratively with board members and both our previous and current superintendent, I have contributed to our district achieving the prestigious Lighthouse School recognition. This honor reflects not only our collective commitment to improving state testing scores but also highlights our focus on attendance and the overall mental health of all our students and staff. Our board is committed to preparing every student for a successful educational journey as they graduate from our district and transition to Hammonton.

Beyond my professional and board roles, I am actively involved in our community. I have coached youth sports, and regularly support my daughters in various activities. I am a proud and responsible, tax-paying member of our community. I have served our board in several capacities and on numerous committees, including playing a role in hiring our new superintendent and negotiating the contracts of our school educators and administrators. I value fiscal responsibility and am committed to ensuring that our resources are used effectively to benefit our students.

By voting for Hunter, DeVuyst, and O’Donnell on November 5th, you will support my ongoing dedication to prioritizing our children’s needs and fostering a nurturing, effective educational environment. I appreciate your support.

09/07/2024

Ehren O’Donnell
Waterford Township Board Member 2022-Present

Presently, I’m serving my first three-year term as a Board of Education Member. I have faithfully served and helped guide the district out of the COVID-19 distance learning protocols. Since then, I have seen our children score higher year over year on state test scores. I couldn’t be prouder of the dedicated faculty and administration who have achieved this fantastic accomplishment.

My family and I have lived in Waterford Township since April 2010, when we moved from Tabernacle to be closer to my wife's mother and father and her business in town. Fellow Board member Ben DeVuyst is a close friend and was the impetus for my interest in running for the Waterford Township Board of Education. He correctly asserted that my vested interest in the district- my two children, Claire (HMS) and Finn (Atco Elementary), would motivate me to do what is best for all Waterford Township residents' children by helping our administration and faculty provide the best possible education.

I am the Product Release Manager at a South Jersey-based industrial Optics and Photonics manufacturer. I have two technical degrees in Lasers and Electro-Optic Technologies and Fiber Optic Technology from Camden County College. You might say I place a high value on STEM education! My eight years of service as Field Artillery Cannoneer Crew Chief (E4) and Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps instilled high honor, courage, and commitment in every aspect of life. Additionally, I appreciate multiple forms of performance art, specifically dance, music, and theater, as my wife is an artistic director and owner of a local dance school. Additionally, I play the drums (for fun and previously in a band) and participated in several musical theater productions in high school and college. I feel my well-rounded experience will continue to benefit the board and, therefore, the children of our community.

Furthermore, I believe that foundations for a strong education begins at home, and I would encourage parents and guardians to take active roles in their children’s journey through our district. We, the members of the Waterford Township Board of Education are here to serve the the needs of the children based on the will of the people within all appropriate mandates and guidelines set forth by the State of New Jersey. If at any time you feel as if there are concerns that have not been addressed through the appropriate administrative channels, please bring them to the board during one of our regularly scheduled monthly meetings.

Upon re-election, I will continue to serve the district and community to the best of my ability, as I have during this ongoing term.

09/07/2024

We have decided to run for re-election as a team because we share the same vision for our district. We believe that a student-centered education is the best way to help our students achieve their full potential.
One of the main principles behind a student-centered education is adapting our curriculum to try and meet each learner at their level. This can be achieved by utilizing programs and supports that are already in place, such as Response to Intervention, known as RTI. These types of programs are essential to ensure the growth of all students.
As board members, we want to see every student succeed and rise to their full potential. We are committed to working hard to ensure that our students receive the best possible education. We believe in encouraging a collaborative working relationship with the community and the district administration. Collaboration of all stake holders reinforces the curiosity that drives a successful education.
Please help us to continue serving our district by voting to re-elect DeVuyst, O’Donnell, and Hunter on November 5th. Thank you for your support!

Roe, Ehren, & Ben

Re-Elect DeVuyst, O’Donnell, and Hunter to Waterford Board of Education

11/06/2024

11/01/2024

10/31/2024

10/28/2024

10/20/2024

10/08/2024

09/07/2024

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