Election Profile: Alison DeNoia For Colts Neck Board Of Education

COLTS NECK, NJ - Three seats are up for grabs on the Colts Neck Board of Education this year, according to the Monmouth County Clerk's Office. While current board of education president Katheryn Gizzo is the sole name listed on the ballot, three others - Heather Tormey, Alison DeNoia and Tracy Kramer - are running for a seat as write-in candidates.

DeNoia is a certified yoga teacher and a four-year Colts Neck resident. She earned a bachelor's degree in economics and international relations from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

“My youngest son graduated from the Colts Neck Schools and is now a Sophomore at Colts Neck High School,” DeNoia told Patch. “My older son was a student in the Regional High School District before he went to college. Both children benefited from their education here. I saw a lot of growth in them and I would love to see that for all the children in this district.”

Are you running for a spot on the board of education? Contact Nicole Rosenthal at nicole.rosenthal@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board:

I am a product of public education, my mother and sister are both teachers and I believe public education is critical to creating a community. In a previous chapter of my life, I worked as an instructional designer, facilitator and project manager. These skills have served me well in my life and I have the ability to work with many people: students, teachers, parents, non-parents and administrators to make the best decisions for our schools and our community. I believe everyone has a vested interest in our schools, not just those who currently have children there. Our schools are the backbone of our community. As a homeowner and taxpayer, it is my goal to serve all of our constituents in town, not just those that have children in our schools.

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is COVID-19. In March, we shut down our lives to flatten the curve. Kids, parents, families all stayed home to stay safe. The good news is overall, we have stayed safe. Our teachers are being asked to teach in person, remote and provide office hours for kids after the school day in order to meet their needs as best they can during this unprecedented time. We need to listen to science and maintain an approach that keeps everyone healthy and alive. We need to support our teachers and staff in our schools, and find ways to keep everyone’s energy up as we are all exhausted. In person instruction is important and so is staying alive. Finding the balance to this crisis is key to everyone continuing to learn and grow during this school year.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?:

I believe the Colts Neck Schools are important to everyone in our town, not just those residents with current students enrolled. Our failed referendums the last two years show just how important reaching all of our constituents, not just parents, truly is. I believe it’s critical to understand and communicate with all constituents to move the district forward. Our schools are the backbone of our community; they help us learn and grow. I would love the opportunity to serve our community as a member of the Colts Neck Board of Education.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

A strong foundation is fundamental to any elementary and advanced education. Providing a strong foundation in lower, middle and high school education supplies students with the essential building blocks for future success. Also, providing a safe and drug free school system and avoiding prescription medication abuse is very important during early childhood education.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?:

I serve on the Farmland and Open Space Committee in Colts Neck and for the last two years, we have continued to preserve our farmland and protect our farms. Recently, I was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship award for dedicated humanitarian services with the Lions Club International Foundation. I work with others in the Lions Club to provide eye screenings to our schools and we are able to identify potential issues early enough for cures. We built a playground at Dorbrook Park for sight impaired children. My work with the Lion’s Club has been some of the most rewarding since I moved to Colts Neck.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Keep Moving Forward. Nothing in life is permanent and if it seems bad, or hard, you can always get through it.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am committed to working together with other board members to grow and improve our
schools.