Due to a miscommunication, Meet the Candidates responses from Medford K-8 Board of Education hopefuls Ann Davidson and Katherine Santamore are running a bit behind schedule.
Both incumbent members are vying against new candidates Sal Cocivera and Amy Duca for two, three-year seats on the Board.
Here are their responses for our week one edition of the series where all BOE candidates were given the opportunity to tell you a little more about themselves.
Name: Ann Davidson
Age: 48
Occupation: School Principal
Community Service:
- 15 Years on Medford Twp. Board of Education: served 2 years as President and 2 years as Vice President.
- Volunteer in my children’s classroom: Art Goes to School, and Classroom Centers.
- Participant in American Education Week.
- Reader in Kindergarten classrooms for numerous years in the national “Read Across America” program in the Medford Schools.
- Kindergarten Sunday School Teacher for 11 years and Youth Activities Leader in the parish of my local church.
- Yearly participant in Walk for Autism and “Blow Bubbles for Autism” program.
- Volunteer for Crop Walk for Hunger.
- Coordinator of donations for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Heart Association.
- Chairperson of Scholastic Book Fair.
- Supporter of Cystic Fibrosis Charity.
Why are you running for the board of education? I bring a wealth of knowledge , experience, and expertise to the Board of Education. I will use these assets during these difficult financial times, employing new ideas and fiscal responsibility , to provide the best education possible. I am up to the challenge of the task of balancing spending, maintaining class size, and promoting excellence in instruction and educational programming for our schools. Medford’s children, parents, taxpayers, and the community, as a whole, deserve nothing less.
Name: Katherine Santamore
Age: 62
Occupation: English Adjunct at Burlington County College and Camden County College
Community Service: I currently serve on the Board of the Woodbury Child Development Center. Our center provides quality daycare at an affordable price for struggling parents. I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Camden County. As a CASA, my job is to advocate for abused and neglected children in out-of-home-placement under the jurisdiction of the NJ Family Court. I have currently completed training as volunteer in the Burlington County Court System and I also worked on another county board until it was recently dissolved due to state budgetary issues.
Other community service:
- Emmanuel Children’s Cancer Center where I was a past Angel of the Year.
- nmentor for struggling students.
- Thanks to Joni-Jean Marchio and her students at Memorial School, my husband Bill and I were able to deliver hundreds of slightly used books to area daycares and churches.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? The Medford District is respected for its high quality of education for all children. Our graduates have and do attend some of the finest colleges in the area and the country. As a board member, I have played an important role in our district’s growth and development. However, unfortunately, for the past few years the district has been facing growing financial challenges. As an experienced board member (I am certified in School Boardsmanship), I have developed the skills, determination, and wisdom to tackle these challenges. I am also a long time educator and I am familiar with the ins and outs of the profession. In addition, as an empty nester, I can understand the concerns of taxpayers who do not have children in our system. I love this town,we raised our children here, and I love the Medford School District. I am proud of my work in this district, but there is more to be done.
