By Sunayana Prabhu
COLTS NECK – This year’s crowded Colts Neck Township Board of Education (BOE) race includes nine candidates vying for three open seats in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.
Parents in the community have been divided over the school board’s direction in recent years, as reflected in public comments at meetings. The upcoming elections will determine whether the rift in opinions deepens.
Heated disputes over parental rights versus LGBTQ+ students’ right to privacy have pitted community members and the board against each other during packed public meetings. In 2025, despite pushback, the BOE unanimously adopted a Parental Bill of Rights. Some parents and community members were upset by the decision.
In December 2025, a visit by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to Cedar Driver Middle School further intensified the debate over political influence in schools. Parents and activists protested curbside during the event, where the board restricted public and media access. The event left the community divided over the role of politics in public education.
These controversies have extended beyond policy disagreements, with many residents demanding transparency from the board in how it communicates with families and makes decisions.
The BOE consists of nine members; each serves one three-year term.
The three incumbents whose terms end this year are Vincent Rugnetta, Jason Orrico and Kevin Walsh. They were elected in 2023 as part of the Colts Kids First slate. Only Rugnetta is seeking reelection. Angela Mansour, Alice Dean Finney are joining Rugnetta on the Colts Kids First slate this year.
Alicia Raia-Hawrylak, Thomas Colella and Camila Fernandez-Cohen are running under the Act for Excellence banner.
Jamie Mark Jacoby, Michal Mateusz Kalisz and Alainah Robillard are running under the Education First slate.
The deadline to apply for mail-in ballots is Oct. 27. Early voting will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.
Note: The Two River Times reached out to every candidate to learn what they see as top priorities for the board. Candidate responses have been edited for clarity and length. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Thomas Colella
(Act for Excellence)
Thomas Colella has been a resident of Colts Neck for five years and his two children currently attend the district schools. He has taught social studies at Rumson-Fair Haven High School for the past 12 years and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history, master’s degrees in social studies education and school administration.
“My top priority for this election cycle is to bring the focus of the Colts Neck School Board back to the attention of our students and staff, and to remove the unnecessary distractions that have arisen through political and personal agendas,” Colella said.
He noted that most of the district’s teachers have more than a decade of teaching experience. He also said many teachers hold advanced degrees in their fields and in education in general. “It is this remarkable experience that brings absolute joy and unparalleled academic success to our students year after year. I want to ensure that our policies and budget can retain them for many more years to come,” Colella said. “Creative, comprehensive, and fiscally sound decisions in our facilities, curricula, professional development, extracurricular activities, technology, and finances will ensure long-term stability for our schools and educational excellence for our students.”
Camila Fernandez-Cohen
(Act for Excellence)
Camila Fernandez-Cohen has lived in Colts Neck for the last six years and in Monmouth County for the past 25 years. Her husband is a local educator. They have raised three children who attended public schools in the area. Cohen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and has over 20 years of teaching experience, including 14 with the Freehold Regional High School District. She also advises the Spanish Honor Society, Model United Nations, and Youth and Government programs.
Cohen said her top priority is strengthening meaningful, two-way communication between the board of education, families, teachers and the community. “As both a parent and educator, I have experienced firsthand how access to information, open dialogue, and strong relationships with school staff can positively impact a child’s educational journey,” Cohen said. “Communication should extend beyond sharing decisions; it should provide opportunities to listen, understand concerns, exchange ideas, and ensure that programs and resources reflect the evolving needs of our students.”
Cohen added that effective leadership begins with listening with the intention to serve, setting aside personal agendas, and making thoughtful, informed decisions that represent the entire community. “By strengthening these partnerships, we can foster transparency, trust, and continued excellence in Colts Neck schools for every student and family,” Cohen said.
Alice Dean Finney
(Colts Kids First)
Alice Dean Finney has been a Colts Neck resident for nearly 25 years. She grew up in Holmdel and has lived in Monmouth County for most of her life. Her family includes seven children, including two freshman boys entering Colts Neck High School. Finney’s husband retired after 30 years of military service.
Finney has taught in Monmouth County high schools for more than 15 years. Before teaching, she worked in food service management, real estate, and banking, including for organizations such as Walt Disney World and Vail Resorts.
Finney is a strong advocate for parental rights and said she wants to serve on the BOE to help ensure schools stay focused on education and student achievement while respecting the important role parents play in their children’s lives. “I believe our schools should focus on academics and preparing students for their future, rather than advancing social agendas,” Finney said.
“I am fiscally conservative and believe the board of education has a responsibility to be good stewards of our taxpayers’ money. With the anticipated increase in affordable housing and the potential impact on our schools and infrastructure, I believe we need to plan responsibly, control spending, and work to keep taxes down while continuing to provide our students with an excellent education,” Finney said.
“I want to help keep Colts Neck schools focused on what matters most: providing our children with an excellent education, meaningful opportunities to learn and grow, and a strong foundation for their future.
David Hauss
(Education First)
David Hauss has lived in Colts Neck his whole life. He is a pharmaceutical scientist, registered pharmacist, published author, educator and professional mentor with more than 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical development at major companies. He is an internationally recognized expert in pharmaceutical delivery, has published original scientific research, lectured internationally, and organized and chaired numerous scientific symposia.
“Education has also been an important part of my career,” he said. For 10 years, Hauss taught pharmacodynamics through the PERI Basic Pharmacology Training course. He said he has extensive teaching and mentoring experience, “which has given me firsthand insight into effective instruction and the importance of preparing students with the knowledge and skills they will need beyond the classroom,” Hauss said.
His work currently includes exploring the use of artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency and quality of scientific and regulatory communications. “That experience has also provided me a unique perspective on the profound changes AI and emerging technologies are bringing to education and the workplace – and the need to prepare today’s students for the opportunities and challenges they will face tomorrow,” Hauss said.
“As a candidate for the Colts Neck Board of Education, my stated priority is to help ensure that effective educational programs are established, appropriately funded, and properly staffed – and that Colts Neck students are prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
Michal Mateusz Kalisz
(Education First)
Michal Mateusz Kalisz has lived in Colts Neck since 2001. His parents still live in town, and he recently bought a home in Colts Neck. Kalisz holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Monmouth University and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Rutgers University. He currently works as a sales account manager in the pharmaceutical and laboratory distribution industry, where he manages a $15 million territory.
“I continue to volunteer as an EMT on the Colts Neck First Aid Squad, which I have been involved with since the age of 15. I recently took the opportunity to serve as director of the Colts Neck First Aid Squad’s Cadet Program, an under-18, high school program allowing students to get first-hand experiences in the medical field with trainings and patient interactions,” Kalisz said.
Kalisz’s top priority this election cycle is to “help restore a culture of humility, integrity, and honorable public service to the board of education.” He said the board should be focused on serving students, supporting families, and acting in the best interests of the entire Colts Neck community – not allowing political divisions or personal disagreements to overshadow its responsibilities.”
Through his years of service as a volunteer EMT, he said, he has interacted with hundreds of residents and patients from all walks of life. “Those experiences have reinforced the importance of treating people with dignity, listening to different perspectives, and approaching every interaction with professionalism and compassion,” Kalisz said.
“I believe the board of education has a responsibility to serve the township as a whole, including current students and their families, residents without children in the school system, and taxpayers who help fund our schools. If elected, I hope to help bridge those perspectives, encourage more constructive dialogue, and ensure that the board’s decisions remain focused on the long-term interests of our schools and community.”
Angela Mansour
(Colts Kids First)
Angela Mansour has been a Colts Neck resident for more than 22 years and is a mother of five. For more than 27 years, she worked as a Registered Nurse and healthcare provider, advocating for patients and leading teams focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement. In her current role as clinical director and infection preventionist at an ambulatory surgery center, she works closely with physicians, staff, and leadership to solve problems, make thoughtful decisions, and ensure the highest standards of care.
“If elected, I will bring that same commitment, integrity, and collaborative approach to the board of education,” Mansour said. “I am dedicated to listening to our families, supporting our teachers and staff, and making decisions that put students first. It would be a privilege to serve our community and help ensure that Colts Neck schools continue to provide an outstanding education for every child.”
Alicia Raia-Hawrylak
(Act for Excellence)
Alicia Raia-Hawrylak is a Colts Neck resident and parent of two young boys who attend district schools. Professionally, she holds a Ph.D. in sociology and serves as an educational researcher and consultant at Rutgers University, where she helps New Jersey public school districts improve learning conditions and student outcomes using data. Previously, she taught middle grades and special education in public and charter schools. While this is her first time running for public office, she said she brings decades of hands-on experience evaluating educational initiatives and bridging political divides through leadership in nonpartisan civic organizations.
Raia-Hawrylak said her top priority is developing a proactive fiscal strategy and maintaining educational excellence.
“As Colts Neck navigates consecutive years of state aid reductions, rising healthcare costs, and potential enrollment growth from housing expansion, we urgently need a board that plans ahead rather than reacting to crises,” Raia-Hawrylak said. “My goal is to protect our exceptional academic programs, small class sizes, and robust arts and extracurricular offerings without overburdening local taxpayers.”
Achieving these goals requires a “fine-tooth comb approach to district spending, accessing high-quality and research-based free resources, aggressive pursuit of state and private grants, and smart, long-term capital investments that reduce operating costs,” Raia-Hawrylak said. She added that by combining strict fiscal responsibility with a steadfast focus on research-based instructional tools and practices, “we can avoid harsh cuts and ensure every student thrives. I will bring the data-driven rigor needed to maintain our district’s excellence while remaining fiercely accountable to our community’s tax dollars.”
Alainah Robillard
(Education First)
Alainah Robillard has been a Colts Neck resident since 1996. She brings a blend of lifelong local investment and federal experience to the district, “representing a fifth-generation township legacy with ancestral roots extending to the American Revolution,” Robillard said. After graduating from Conover Road Elementary School, Cedar Drive Middle School and Colts Neck High School, she established a career in information technology acquisition for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role, she learned to navigate federal oversight, complex capital allocations, and strategic policy implementation alongside public officials.
Robillard said her primary objective is “to champion a holistic, academically rigorous curriculum underpinned by uncompromising fiscal stewardship.” She added that her governance philosophy is informed by “the immersive educational milestones of her youth: experiential learning in Monmouth County parks, collaborative performing arts that fostered community cohesion, and early exposure to innovative technology. By translating my extensive background in managing large-scale federal expenditures to our local board, I intend to optimize district resources with corporate-level precision,” Robillard said.
“I am dedicated to preserving Colts Neck’s signature tight-knit, enrichment-rich environment – protecting arts, field trips, and critical programs – by ensuring every tax dollar directly drives classroom excellence and student achievement without placing an undue burden on our township families.”
Vincent Rugnetta
(Colts Kids First)
Incumbent BOE member Rugnetta has lived in Colts Neck for over 25 years. Since joining the board, Rugnetta established an ad hoc committee for sports and extracurricular activities. After a successful trial year, this initiative evolved into an official liaison position, allowing for better communication and support between the BOE and the Colts Neck Sports Foundation. Rugnetta highlights arts and cultural events in the schools and community to foster a well-rounded student experience beyond the classroom. During an interim period, Rugnetta also served as the BOE vice president.
Professionally, Rugnetta works for the state as a senior examiner in temporary disability insurance at the Department of Labor, but his true passion lies in performing with his band, The Backbeat, at local events and establishments in the community. Rugnetta also loves coaching his son’s sports teams and playing ice hockey in his free time. His firsthand experience as a coach and community member helps him advocate for well-balanced programs.
Rugnetta said his top priorities are education, fiscal responsibility, and prioritizing core academics, civics and parental rights. He said he “is committed to ensuring Colts Neck schools provide the highest quality education while maintaining transparency and accountability.”
The article originally appeared in the October 22 – 28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
