To the Editor,
My name is Theresa Vogler (or Tracy for those who already know me) and I am running as a write-in candidate for the open seat for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education.
I grew up in Hopewell Township and graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School. After moving away for college, graduate school and law school, I returned in 1998 with my husband, Michael Ruger (currently a Hopewell Township Committee member). Our three sons—Teddy, Billy and Bobby—graduated from the high school. My children and I were fortunate to learn, grow and attain an excellent foundation to build rewarding careers and lives.
I am running to ensure that future graduates also have promising opportunities.
I have always been active in our community and currently serve on Hopewell Township’s Historic Preservation Commission, and previously served in various roles with the schools including on the HVRSD Future Planning Committee in 2014.
My platform is simple. I’d like to see our community working together to advance our student opportunities and provide strong educational value with our tax dollars. We can start with responsible and realistic budgeting, revisiting the starting time for the middle and high schools, and strengthening academic freedom and outcomes.
With the defeat of the District’s referendum last month, the Board will have to go back to the drawing board. I have worked for law firms and accounting firms, and will bring my skills to the budgeting process. I have tremendous respect for Dr. Rosetta Treece and the current Board, and want to work with them to understand both their priorities and the best funding methods. At the same time, we should ensure transparency and community input from the very beginning of the process.
As for the starting times for the middle and high schools, studies have shown that later start times for teenagers lead to better academic as well as mental health outcomes. I saw my own boys struggle with early classes, and believe we should follow the science and consider adjusting when classes begin for our students.
Finally, I believe we can better prepare our students for success by broadening their experience. My mother was an elementary school teacher in West Amwell, so I know the job is not easy. I strongly oppose any attempts to ban books in our schools. Instead, our students need more exposure to alternate viewpoints and ideas in order to stimulate critical thinking and encourage their understanding of the global world.
As a write-in candidate my name is not on the ballot. Look for Column L, Member of the Board of Education, 1 year unexpired term. If you are voting by mail, write “Theresa Vogler” in the appropriate space. If you are voting in person (either early or on Election Day), instructions will be posted or you can ask a poll worker for assistance.
If you have any questions about me, or what I stand for, please email me at [email protected].
Thank you for your consideration.
Theresa Vogler,
Hopewell Township, NJ
