Five candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for the three available seats on the Cherry Hill Board of Education in the Nov. 4 election. Each would serve a three-year term.
All candidates – Collin O. Duckett, Candi Cummings, Adam Greenbaum, Gina Winters and Brandi N. DeVeaux – were asked to submit an election questionnaire. Answers have been lightly edited for space.
At the time of deadline, DeVeaux had not responded.
Name: Collin Duckett
Age: 19
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Just over five
Family: I live with my father, Kevin; Mom-Mom, Kathleen; and sister, Hailey.
School and degree: I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s in business administration with a focus in entrepreneurship, as well as a minor in public administration and policy. Proud graduate of Cherry Hill West, Class of 2024.
Profession: At home, I am pool manager and head lifeguard of the Jersey Wahoos Swim Club, where I’ve connected with many East students. I’m also employed as one of the managers at Wedgewood Swim Club in Haddonfield and am a pool operator for the St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C.
Is this the first time you’ve run for the seat on council? Yes. I previously served on the board of education in my capacity as student representative from West. I served from June 2023 to June 2024, and in that time vastly expanded the role and influence of the student reps by bringing them closer to the board.
What is your involvement in the community? My involvement in the community of late has been pursuing a passion of mine: learning about the lived experiences and political and social positions of my neighbors. In preparation for my potential election, I have been speaking with stakeholders across the district to gain a concrete understanding of the needs and desires of each of our community sub-groups to maximize my governance ability. I’ve also been traveling from D.C. regularly for board meetings and to give comment. Prior to my graduation, I was part of the #WEareCHPS movement and delivered testimony to the assembly’s Budgetary Committee. I founded the first chapter of Model United Nations with help from EASTMUN student leaders. I also was a charter member of the superintendent’s Advisory Council: Dr. Kwame Morton’s joint West/East advisory body on student affairs and school climate.
Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for the board to disrupt the status quo and bring back common sense governance to our town. We’ve got a lot to tackle including, improving our school climate to motivate students; start times; the budget and taxes; responsible integration of AI; and reinforcing our special education support systems by reforming our restorative discipline model, administrative accountability and much more. This town is run by our students and our families, and it is my mission to be the mouthpiece they need.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? In my first year, I’ll focus on the budget, and by proxy, administrative responsibility. It is incumbent on us as a board to maintain a sense of fiscal reservation in the face of crippling aid cuts. I will work to change our attitudes from “advocating” to demanding and fighting for our fair share. I’ll work to mandate that the administration give board members far more time and information before they expect us to vote on items. I will be fiscally innovative and work with administration to reevaluate non-personnel areas of expenditure. Bottom line: I will fight tooth and nail to put money back in the community’s pockets.
Name: Adam Greenbaum
Age: 49
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 14
Family: I live with my wife and son
School and degree: I hold a BS in computer engineering from the University of Rhode Island, and an MBA from Villanova University.
Profession: Cyber Security Engineer
Is this the first time you’ve run for the board? No.
If not, how many years/terms have you served? Three
What is your involvement in the community?
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board of education for the past three years, including the past year as vice president, where I’ve worked to support and improve our local schools. As an involved parent, I stay actively engaged in my child’s education and school community. On weekends, I am a proud soccer dad, traveling near and far to cheer on the team. I also participate in various social and outreach activities through my synagogue, helping to strengthen connections with the broader community.
Why are you running for reelection?
I am running to continue the progress the board has made over the past three years. That includes rebuilding our schools through bond referendum projects and improved accessibility across the district. Full-day preschool expansion now serves more than 500 students, and we focused on academic success through curriculum enhancements, targeted supports and grant opportunities. I have joined community leaders to advocate for state funding in Trenton for the last two years. I am excited about all that we have achieved, but there is more work to be done.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
School funding remains a top priority. Rising costs, state cuts and a flawed funding formula have made budgeting difficult for our district. I supported the bond referendum that is now improving schools across the district, and have met with legislators and testified before the state budget committee to push for reform to the funding formula. We’ve made progress, but it’s not enough. We must raise our voices and work together to demand common-sense changes to the funding formula so every student and staff member has the resources they need to succeed.
Name: Candi Cummings
Age: 50
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 12
Family: Two children
School and degree: Rutgers University
Is this the first time you’ve run for a board seat? Yes
What is your involvement in the community? Since 2016, I’ve been deeply involved in the township school community, serving on PTA executive boards at Sharp Elementary and Beck Middle School. Because of my successful leadership there, I was tapped to be the chair of the Cherry Hill Zone PTA, which represents the 19 PTAs and nearly 11,000 students of the district. Through that work, I’ve seen first hand the power of families, teachers and students working in true partnership. I’ve built the relationships and experience needed to strengthen our schools. I know how to blend community voices with district-level policy, because real progress happens when families, teachers, and administrators work together. Some of my advocacy includes partnering with the superintendent, district leaders and families to implement an updated cell phone policy, helping students stay more focused throughout the school day. I serve on the district’s Strategic Planning Committee, contributing to the Five-Year Plan and Portrait of a Graduate.
Why are you running for a board seat?
I am seeking election because I believe in the promise of public education and the responsibility to invest in academic excellence and community trust. Schools are strongest when built together with transparency. Students thrive when teachers thrive. Families must always have a seat at the table.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
When elected, I will prioritize three commitments. First is academic excellence, including prioritizing the special education population, because inclusivity is making sure that a child with an IEP or a 504 has the same access to opportunity as their peers, or that a student supported by MTSS gets early intervention before falling behind. I will support teachers and staff, because educators are the backbone of our schools and know true academic success goes hand in hand with building confidence, resilience and a love of learning. Teachers deserve resources, respect, and to thrive. When teachers thrive, our students thrive. I will also help develop strong partnerships with families and our broader community keep our schools rooted in the values we all share. I will be committed to listening to parents and teachers and bringing them together to collaborate. Families bring energy, insight and heart when they feel invited into the conversation. These kinds of partnerships build trust and help families see the board and district as allies in their child’s success, not just decision-makers at a distance. This is the kind of environment I will foster.
Name: Gina Winters
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill?: 22 years
Family: Married with three children, ages 16, 13 and 8
School and degree: Rutgers University BA, in Political Science and Master’s in Public Policy
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for Council/committee or BOE? No, I won my current seat in 2022
What is your involvement in the community? I am a PTA member, Girl Scout leader, and I sing and volunteer at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have served on the school board since 2022, and I have really enjoyed connecting with the community and helping to guide our school district on a path toward continued success. I am running for another term to focus on boosting academic achievement for all students, ensuring responsible fiscal management – including oversight of the bond referendum projects – and fostering an inclusive school culture where every student feels welcomed and belongs. I am committed to safe, healthy schools where students can learn and grow together.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If re-elected, I would continue my focus on academic success for all students. Our students need access to rigorous curricula, high standards and individualized supports so that they can learn, grow and thrive. To prepare our students for graduation, I will also focus on college and career readiness skills and collaboration with business and community partners to expand internship opportunities for our high school students so that they can gain the skills they need to be successful. In order to maintain the high-quality education that Cherry Hill is known for, a big piece of the puzzle is recruiting, retaining and supporting excellent teachers and staff, and continuing our focus on staff wellness.
