“I like being involved in our small school community, and in 2020, I wanted to be more involved,” Allison Jacobs explains, citing just some of the reasons why she chose to be a member of the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education. Bright Future
She noted that she had come to New Jersey from a large school district in Pennsylvania, and “was intrigued by regionalization, so I ran for the Board of Education. It was an honor to be elected in 2021 to the Atlantic Highlands Board and to continue serving as a board member through the transition of regionalizing the Tri District. “
Jacobs is seeking the single one year term on the Board on November 5 and is being opposed by Richard Colangelo and Chelsea Witkowski.
That Ms. Jacobs is involved, educated, highly interested and dedicated to her volunteerism is evident every day. She, her husband John and their son Barnes, settled in Atlantic Highlands five years ago after her husband accepted a position in New York. “We found Atlantic Highlands and fell in love with this quaint, lovely little town with a cute elementary school in walking distance from our new home.”
Their son went to the elementary school and is now a 7th grade student at Henry Hudson.
Jacobs stayed active as a volunteer, homeroom parent, PTO member, and supporter of the Admiral Athletic Club before becoming a member of the board of education.
She served on the local board, and now on the appointed regional board,with a broad background in education.
A graduate of Penn State University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Infancy and Early Childhood Education, later living in Alexandria, Virginia, where she was a Preschool Teacher at the Child Development Labs at the Pentagon and the Department of Labor.
Returning to her home state, she then became a Broker and Expedited Trade Resolution Specialist at The Vanguard Group.
Since the birth of her son, she works off and on as a preschool teacher and a tax preparer but dedicates most of her time to being a stay-at-home mom.
The board member can easily cite the many benefits of the schools in the district. Simply put, “there are many benefits to Henry Hudson schools. I love everything about them!”
That includes their role in the wonderful close-knit communities, small class sizes and personal relationships among faculty and staff. “Our kids are truly loved and cared for,” she exclaims. “We have a very dedicated, experienced, educated, and loving staff.
I love that our athletes play on a team and do not just sit on the sidelines warming the bench. I am impressed with how many students participate in school sports, and clubs, and give their time to assist others in the community.
I truly feel that Henry Hudson Regional School District provides excellent public education in a private school environment.”
All that being said, Jacobs admits “there will always be opportunities to improve and move forward. Education does not stand still.” Because of that, she said she continues to support initiatives that challenge students and empower faculty.
She is firm that she is “committed to making Henry Hudson Regional School District the best learning environment for all our students.”
The candidate for re-election says she is proud she served on board that brought the Regionalization for a preK-12 three board referendum to Atlantic Highlands voters and the success of that merger.
“Regionalizing the three schools has provided better resource allocation, modernizing facilities with upgrades like a new HVAC system and air conditioning, and revamping the middle and elementary school schedules tailored to enhance our students’ academic experience,” she said.
The regionalization also saved more than $1 million in lost state aid, she said, and qualified Atlantic Highlands for free preschool classes.
She also acknowledges there are residents disappointed the regionalization did not include Sea Bright and concedes that the LEAP grant study did find it feasible.
“However,” she continued, “our experts also warned of lengthy litigation and costly legal fees.”
She said the boards in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands as well as Henry Hudson have spent over $750,000 “helping” Sea Bright defend legal actions by Oceanport and Shore Regional. “That money went to lawyers – it did not go to students, town infrastructure, or anything to support our community,” she said.
Noting that both as a school board member and taxpayer in Atlantic Highlands, she could not support “wasting hard-earned money with no end in sight. “Furthermore, she continued, “until the Department of Education decides on Sea Bright’s ability to leave its current school districts, the Henry Hudson Board of Education cannot afford to move forward with Sea Bright as an option.
If the Commissioner allows Sea Bright’s exit and if regionalizing with Sea Bright benefits Henry Hudson, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, I will work with my fellow board members to bring a referendum to the ballot again!”
Jacobs is running for the lone one- year term on the nine member Henry Hudson Board to be elected for the first time in November, Jacobs is running as part of a four member team with Noreen Higgins, who is seeking a two-year term, and Claire Kozic and Cory Wingerter, running for the two three-year terms open for Atlantic Highlands.
The four candidates are running under the slogan “Hudson’s Bright Future. “They will meet and greet voters at First Cup Coffee on First Avenue on Saturday, October 12 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to answer questions and talk with local residents.
