School Board Profiles: Ginny Brockway

Editor's note: Due to the large number of candidates in this year's school board election, we'll run a pair of candidate profiles each day through Sunday. Each candidate was asked to provide a biography and answer a set of questions.

On Monday, we'll provide a final wrap-up of the school budget and provide links to all candidate profiles.

My name is Ginny Brockway, and I am running for re-election to the West Deptford Board of Education. I am a 1981 graduate of West Deptford High School and have been a resident for 35 years. My husband, Kevin, and daughters, Stephanie and Julie, are alumni of WDHS. My son Kevin is a junior. I am a stay-at-home mom who has spent the last 17 years volunteering in our community and school.

I was a Girl Scout leader for three years, a West Deptford Soccer board member for eight years, with five years as banquet and picture chairperson and three years as co-director of the West Deptford Thanksgiving Tournament, and I coached a girls' travel soccer team year-round for 10 years. I received the Teresa Antczak Volunteer Award in 2010 from WDHS girls’ soccer, and in 2011 I received the Herb Moyer Award from West Deptford Youth Soccer for outstanding service.

I have been a room mom, trip chaperone, including two Mt. Misery trips, and a classroom volunteer. I have served as vice president and president of Green-Fields PTO, moving to the middle school PTO where I was president for five years. I am an active member of the high school PTO, coordinating the food for Homecoming and Project Graduation, along with co-chairing the annual Basket & Bag Bingo, which this year raised $10,000 for our students. I have served numerous years on the Teacher of the Year Committee, and am currently a member of the West Deptford Advisory Council and team mom for the high school boys soccer team.

I have proudly spent the last three years as a Board of Education member. Our current board is made up of nine individuals from various walks of life with diverse backgrounds. We receive no compensation or benefit from it. Our current board has been very mindful of the taxpayer in all of our decisions. We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce costs without cutting educational programs and activities for our children. This job is very difficult given today’s economic climate.

When you first become a board member, there is a lot to learn. The first thing you quickly learn is that this volunteer position is much more than two meetings a month. It consumes a lot of your time. I come prepared to each and every meeting, and I make sure that I have read all supporting documents. It takes a while to understand your position on the board, to understand what you can and cannot do, and to realize that you cannot change everything–you are one vote out of nine people.

With that being said, I respectfully but strongly discuss my concerns on issues with our superintendent and my fellow board members, and consequently cast the vote that I feel is appropriate. I always speak up and voice my opinion. I am visible and approachable. I want to be here, and view myself as an asset. I am a leader who is dedicated, honest, and my strong work ethic and passion shines through in everything I do. Yes, I am an incumbent seeking re-election, and for all of these reasons, I hope you view my being an incumbent as a positive rather than a negative.

1. What’s your main reason for running this year?

My main reason for running is because I want to serve the people. I have volunteered 17 years in one capacity or another within our schools, so becoming a Board of Education member was the next logical step for me. I believe I served the public well, and if re-elected I will continue to work hard for the people and students of our township. I do not work outside of the home, and I thoroughly enjoy donating my time to the school district. Our children are our future, and we need to invest in them.

2. If elected, what, if any, changes would you look to make?

I would improve the communication between the Board of Education and the community, but more importantly I would educate the public to make them understand exactly what the role of the Board of Education is and how we operate.

Our job is not to run the schools on a daily basis. Our job is to set policy and make sure that those policies are being followed. At times, the board is viewed negatively by the public because they feel we do not disclose everything. What the community does not realize is that by state law we are prohibited from discussing certain matters such as individual students, personnel issues, and contract negotiations.

3. What do you think you bring to the board, in terms of experience and viewpoint?

I have been on the Board of Education for three years, and I understand all of the functions of our board. I have vast experience in working in our schools on all different levels, from a classroom volunteer to PTO on the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I have spent more time in the schools than most people. I understand the inner workings of the district very well.

Aside from my school experience, I have sat on the West Deptford Soccer board for eight years, along with dealing with parents, residents, teachers, and administrators on Teacher of the Year Committee and the West Deptford Advisory Council. I bring a refreshing viewpoint because of my extensive volunteer experience; I can see both sides of all issues.

4. What do you think is the most important issue facing the West Deptford school district?

The most important issue facing the West Deptford school district is to provide students with a quality education in the most cost effective manner possible, without cutting education programs and activities. It’s becoming harder and harder each year due to today’s economic climate.

Our current board takes this responsibility very seriously and we continually look for new ways to save money. For example, last year we instituted our alternative night school, saving the district thousands of dollars in out-of-district placements. We have entered into several shared services agreements that have saved a great deal of money as well. We will continue to be diligent to the taxpayer and find ways to do more for less.

5. Why should voters choose you?

The voters should choose me because I am a volunteer who continually works hard for the district, and I have a lot of time to give. I believe I make a difference and I bring a different perspective to the board. I have proven myself as a board member who is visible, approachable and dedicated. I have always done my homework before each and every meeting, and I have asked the necessary questions beforehand to clarify issues and to confirm that our board is being fiscally responsible to the taxpayer.

I believe in West Deptford Township schools. I’m very proud of our teachers, aides, nurses, secretarial and support staff, cafeteria, facilities and administration who work hard every day and who genuinely care about our students. We provide our students with the tools to succeed, and we have a commitment to excellence to transition our students from learners into productive citizens of society. I would appreciate your vote on April 27.