Gloucester Township Public Schools Board Candidate: Marianne Coyle

Editor's Note: Gloucester Township Patch has now shared profiles of each candidate in the Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) and Gloucester Township Public Schools board elections who responded to our request for answers to a handful of queries.

The candidates' responses have been published in their original, unedited form, as they were submitted by the candidates.

Today, we feature Gloucester Township Public Schools board candidate Marianne Coyle, a newcomer. Already featured were BHPRSD board President Kevin Bucceroni (Monday) and Vice President Joyce Ellis (Tuesday), and Gloucester Township Public Schools board member Andrew Lalli (Wednesday) and newcomer Joseph Gunn (Thursday). BHPRSD board member Ben Zanghi did not respond.

School board elections will be held next Wednesday.

Name: Marianne Coyle

Residence: Sicklerville's Country Oaks development (township resident since 1977)

Relevant work/volunteer experience: Holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Philadelphia University; mother and advocate of a special needs child; active member of church; volunteers for children's school activities; served on township's Historical Society

Marital status: Coyle is married and has three children.

PATCH: Why are you seeking election to the board?
Coyle: Every child deserves the opportunity to obtain a quality education and I would like to be able to ensure this in Gloucester Township. 

PATCH: How do you feel the board functions as currently constituted? Where do you see room for improvement?
Coyle: The Board is made up of caring individuals who dedicate their time to ensure the children of Gloucester Township receive a quality education. There is always room for improvement, currently the Board works well together and with administration to achieve their goals.

PATCH: Do you feel federal No Child Left Behind legislation places too much emphasis on standardized testing? Please explain your response.
Coyle: I understand the need for testing, (but) NCLB places too much emphasis on standardized testing. Children learn differently and need to be assessed differently.  

PATCH: New Jersey property owners are fed up with seemingly ever-increasing taxes, already among the highest in the country. The state government has either frozen or minimally increased school aid in recent years. What do you feel school districts, particularly BHPRSD, must do to move forward and provide students with what they need under these constraints?
Coyle: With the current economic difficulties, we need to find ways to trim expenses without cutting valuable programs for our children. Investigating the possibility of solar energy to reduce energy cost is one way to achieve this.

PATCH: How do you feel about a charter school opening in the township this fall?
Coyle: Charter schools are well served in some districts. Gloucester Township is not one of them; our schools are excellent. Additionally, it could be a costly venture for the taxpayers.