The excellence of the school system was one of the primary reasons Cory and Kate Wingerter moved to Atlantic Highland six years ago. Since then, both feel they have an obligation to give back and continue support not only of the school system but the borough as well.
It’s those feelings that prompted Cory Wingerter to run for and be named to the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education in January of last year. At the time he did not realize that before that term was even up, he would also be serving as president of a transitional board making state history.
Wingerter was elected by members of the transitional Henry Hudson K-12 Regional School board to serve as the chairman until the new board is elected by the residents in November.
It’s a position he said he takes on eagerly for the same purposes he chose to serve in the first place…… “I feel it’s only fair for me to pull my weight and help out where I can.”
The board president, who is employed at Ernst & Young as the Global Produce Head of Financial Crimes Technology, said that continuing to serve on the local board in addition to his new position on the regional board means an additional meeting each month, but is otherwise about the same as far as a workload goes.
There is not really any additional work, he pointed out, since the work the boards are involved in is work that proceeds whether they are in a transitional program or not. He is anxious, he said, to hear from the state Department of Education on the nest steps for the two boroughs regarding regionalization and is hopeful to see new opportunities. Regardless, board business on a daily basis remains the same.
Wingerter takes his position seriously on the volunteer board. His personal goal in serving is to do his part in seeing that the school district continues to be one where family, students, educators and administrators can all be happy and successful. Because it reaches so many residents at every age level and since it is part of the foundation stone for children, Wingerter believes the school is the focal point of the town and urges everyone to become involved in it “to feel the same pride that I do when they think about it.”
The president said his goal will remain the same for the new regional district because “I want our kids to be excited heading to school and our teachers to feel they’re equipped to deliver on the expectations.” That will continue to be his mission, he asserts, simply because “I think It a good one.”
The father of two daughters and a son, with his two older children currently in the local school system, Wingerter said he is looking forward to the new regionalized district for many reasons, not the least of which is seeing “Atlantic Highlands and Highlands work together and how excited both boroughs are doing it. “It feels like these boards of education have been waiting for this for years,” he said, adding, “and now we’ve finally been given the green light.” While it is in the early stages of the new transitional board, he said it’s obvious “everyone wants to get going and see how we can better our schools and towns.”
Dedicated to every obligation he assumes….the board president is currently taking a break from activities with other organizations in order to spend more time with his children and family activities…Wingerter said the most difficult part of working on the school board that impacts all children is “always feeling that you’re not doing enough. There’s always another child you want to help, another grant you want to apply for, another area where you want to focus…” With all that in mind, he said it’s important to focus on what he can do while at the same time expanding that purpose when possible. Still he concedes, “I always feel like there’s just one more thing that I want to do and it’s hard to not include it.”
Asked about his own role in work that led to the success of an election enabling the 7-12 district to enlarge and include the preK-6 grades in both towns, Wingerter said his largest role was probably making himself available to talk to anyone, answering questions abut the transition, and trying to keep people informed. A highlight of his week is picking his youngsters up from school whenever possible, and having the chance to talk to other parents at those times about regionalization. “There’s always a lot of information flying around so it’s nice to hear from the town on what they feel is important to them. Being available and approachable, he feels have been helpful in keeping people informed. It is for that reason he encourages others to reach out to their boards of education,, hear from their members and learn as much as possible.
Wingerter looks at serving on any board of education as an opportunity to do his part to keep his hometown outstanding, the same reasons he and his family chose to move here in the first place. He plans on continuing to work hard for that reason. However, he will always still have the time to enjoy triathlons, grab a great cheeseburger now and then and continue with his youngsters on what wife Kate jokingly refers to as their own private SPCA. because. “the children and I constantly pick up stray animals.”
