Three incumbents, a former member and a newcomer have filed for three three-year terms on the Barnegat Township Board of Education. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Doreen Continanza, Sandra Churney and Richard Quelch run as the “Leading With Experience Team.” The current vice president, Continanza was elected three years ago, and had previously served four years before resigning because at that time she was relocating to Florida. She later moved back to Barnegat. Churney is seeking her third term. Quelch won a school board seat in 2019 but lost a re-election bid in 2022.
Incumbent George Fedorczyk Jr. runs with the slogan “Integrity, Transparency, Accountability.” He is seeking his first three-year term. Newcomer Ronald Tola runs under the banner “Quality Education.”
Continanza brings 26 years of experience in public education working with school district administration to her service on the board. During her board service, she has served as chair of the Governance Committee and as a member of the finance and personnel committees. Continanza has also achieved her NJSBA Certified Board Member certification.
“Moving a school district forward requires strong collaboration, open communication, accountability and a shared commitment to students,” she said. “I have worked alongside fellow board members and district administration to build a respectful, collaborative working relationship focused on making decisions that move Barnegat schools forward.”
Continanza said her goal is to continue working with the board and administration to strengthen academic achievement, support teachers and staff, maintain important student programs and position Barnegat Township schools among the best-performing districts in Ocean County.
Churney said she is focused on what she believes should remain at the heart of every school district decision: providing students with the education, support and opportunities they need to succeed. Churney said she is committed to strengthening academic achievement and ensuring that Barnegat students are prepared for success both in school and in their future careers and lives.
She believes parents play an important role in their children’s education and that maintaining open communication among families, educators, administration and the board is essential to a successful school district. Her priorities include keeping the focus on education and student achievement, supporting a safe and supportive learning environment, and ensuring district decisions remain centered on the needs of Barnegat students.
Churney also believes responsible leadership requires listening to the community, working respectfully with fellow board members and administration, and being accountable to taxpayers. She supports responsible financial decisions while protecting the programs and opportunities that benefit students.
As part of the Leading with Experience team, Churney brings a shared commitment to academic excellence, responsible leadership, fiscal responsibility and a strong Barnegat community.
“Serving on the board of education is about keeping the priorities clear: students first, education first and a commitment to helping Barnegat schools move forward,” she said.
A former board member who once served as vice president, Quelch said he understands the responsibilities that come with serving and making decisions that affect students, families, staff and taxpayers.
During his previous service, Quelch said, he gained firsthand experience working with fellow board members and district administration on issues affecting the district. He believes an effective board must work collaboratively, remain focused on students and maintain accountability to the community.
In addition to his previous school board service, Quelch has served on the municipal board of adjustment, giving him additional experience in municipal government, planning and community matters.
Quelch is also a local business owner and longtime member of the Barnegat community. His professional and community experience has reinforced his belief in responsible financial management, transparency and making thoughtful decisions that protect taxpayer dollars while maintaining quality educational opportunities for students.
His team says its priorities include strengthening schools, supporting students and staff, maintaining fiscal responsibility and working collaboratively with district administration and the board to move the district forward.
“It is an opportunity to put my prior experience and knowledge of the community to work again – with a continued focus on providing Barnegat students with the best possible educational opportunities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” he said.
“My military and law enforcement backgrounds have afforded me the opportunity to work in stressful environments and, as a result, learn effective skills in planning, risk management and decision-making along the way,” said Fedorczyk. “I feel, with these skills and my ability to listen to both sides of an argument, I can provide our children the best opportunity to be a part of a successful learning environment. For our district to be successful, and in turn, our children (to) be successful, we must work together. I hope that you, the Barnegat residents will elect me to our school board so that I may help guide our school district to not just meet expectations, but exceed them.”
He also said the success of the school system does not rest solely on the shoulders of the faculty and staff, but also parental involvement.
The holder of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University, Fedorczyk said the district is in good hands with the recent hire of Josh Toddings as superintendent.
“He’s been a teacher, coach and principal in this district,” he said. “He raised a family here; his children went to school here. I think we’re going to have a good working relationship.”
“ I believe I bring a lifelong commitment to all of the children of New Jersey, a well-developed understanding of the current fiscal, academic and relationship situations facing childhood education, and a demonstrated record of leadership in the development of efficient plans of action to advance education initiatives,” said Tola.
Tola has held the title of director of facilities at The College of New Jersey and Haverford College in Pennsylvania and associate vice president for facilities at Old Dominion University in Virginia.
“I was in charge all capital projects for the State Department of Higher Education under Chancellor Ted Hollander,” he said. “I am a graduate electrical engineer from Villanova University and hold a master’s degree in management from The College of New Jersey. I headed up the creation of the first ‘Challenger’ baseball program in New Jersey for special needs children. The program contained 73 players and buddies, and was the model for today’s Miracle League. I was president of the highly successful Nottingham Little League for nine years, who participated in the Little League World Series. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Hamilton Township school board for more than three terms.”
