Three seats – each a three-year term – are up for grabs on the Deptford board of education. Seven candidates will vie for those seats in the Nov. 4 general election.
The candidates are Joseph Banning, Walter “Butch” Berglund, Juliah Davis, Stacy Gray, Sharnée Lotocki, Linda Rosser and Thomas Spencer. There are no incumbents running.
The candidates were each asked to complete an election questionnaire; Rosser did not reply. Answers are lightly edited for space.
Name: Joseph Banning
Age: 18
How many years have you lived in Deptford? Life-long resident
Family: I am the youngest of five and a proud uncle of four.
School and degree: I graduated from high school with honors and am currently studying economics in college.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat on the board?
Yes, and I’m excited to bring fresh and new perspectives to our school board.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have served on the board of a nonprofit dedicated to providing scholarships and expanding access to education for all students, regardless of economic status. I want to bring that mission to the school board by ensuring our schools prepare every student for success. I have also worked as a mayoral intern and with former state Assemblywoman Gabriella Mosquera. Despite my young age, I bring four years of political and community experience that will add a fresh and valuable perspective to the board.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I’m running because Deptford needs a school board member who has experience helping students and brings a fresh perspective. While I may be young, do not mistake my age for inexperience. I am running so I can use my experience from managing a nonprofit and in local government to change my school district for the better and make sure our students, our future, are better equipped to handle the problems of tomorrow. This will also be my first time on the ballot, and my first opportunity to dive into my passion for education.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I will focus on responsible spending that benefits students directly. Waste has been holding our schools back, and taxpayers should not be asked to pay more when money is not being used wisely. I want to protect essential programs, strengthen college and career readiness programs and ensure reliable transportation for all students. By being fiscally responsible and eliminating waste, we can do more with our budget and avoid increasing taxes. Our schools should deliver results for families, not waste resources, and I will work to make every dollar count for Deptford’s future.
Name: Walter ”Butch” Berglund
Age: 61
How many years have you lived in Deptford? 36
Family: My wife, April Berglund.
School and degree: Gloucester County College, Educational Facilities Manager certification from Rutgers, Black Seal Boilers license, other certifications in facilities management
Profession:
I have been a director of facilities for several school districts and for two Fortune 500 companies, Emcor and Aramark. For Emcore, I was the mid-Atlantic director of operations overseeing mobile mechanics in six states, serving many accounts for facility needs like Children’s Hospital, Citizens Bank, LDS Church and many other locations.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat on the board? No
What is your involvement in the community?
I am currently on the Deptford Township Planning Board and serve as a commissioner on the Gloucester County Utilities Authority, and secretary for the authority’s board. I was a former Deptford councilman who sat on many committees, including chairman of the Environmental Commission and the Pitman Golf Course Advisory Board. My service also extends to my country as a Coast Guard reservist.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I want to get back involved with the school district after seeing the many challenges schools are facing and the costs associated with those challenges.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
There are many challenges and drivers that are increasing costs that are passed on the the taxpayers. The last time I was on the board, we constructed a budget three years in a row with a zero tax increase. I would use my experience to help identify and implement cost-effective budgeting measures working with the school administrators. We should be able to meet our budget goals without cutting staff and reducing student services. Transportation has been a big issue in Deptford, and I would like to take a deep dive into this issue. We have the infrastructure for in-house busing, yet we have mostly contracted services. We need to be a forward-looking district that puts in place shared services agreements with the township and other local districts.
Name: Juliah Davis
Age: N/A
How many years have you lived in Deptford? 13
Family: Husband and five children, ages 15 to 25.
School and Degree: I graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing. I will earn my bachelor of science in nursing from Rowan University in December.
Profession: I work as a part-time emergency room registered nurse and a per-diem substitute school nurse.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat for the board? Yes
What is your involvement in the community?
I began with an organization in Blackwood Terrace, where we removed hundreds of tires and dozens of bags of trash from Timber Creek using access through our yard. The following fall, my family began our journey with Deptford soccer, where I volunteered. One of my greatest joys has been serving with the Deptford Band Parents.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Our children have benefited from the Deptford school district, and with one still in high school, I want to give back by serving. I believe in fostering pride in our schools, supporting families and working together to build on our district’s successes. My goal is to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive while strengthening the sense of community that makes Deptford special.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If elected, I would focus on continuing to advance safety upgrades across all schools. Transportation challenges need real solutions, and I want to bring forward community ideas to address them. Beyond that, I prioritize enriching our academy programs, particularly the music academy, to provide students with opportunities that extend beyond traditional coursework. These programs showcase what makes Deptford unique, and I want to support their continued growth while ensuring families feel confident in the safety and strength of our schools.
Name: Stacy (Kern) Gray
Age: 52
How many years have you lived in Deptford? Lifetime resident
Family: Married to John Gray, two sons Ryan and Gavin
School and degree: DTHS Class of 1991 and Bachelor of Arts Rowan University in Elementary Education
Profession: Third grade teacher, computer teacher, District Technology Coach and ELL Service Provider in East Greenwich Township since 1995 (retired June 2024).
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for the BOE? No
If not, how many years/terms have you served as a member? Served three terms beginning in 2013, latest ending in 2023, attended all board meetings in between unelected terms.
What is your involvement in the community?
Having gained an abundant amount of knowledge through my personal journey with my own special needs son, I have proudly served as a source and advocate to several families navigating the IEP/504 process, former member of Deptford SEPAG, more broadly an active participant in Race for Hope DC in Washington DC to raise funds for brain cancer research, endlessly spreading awareness fro Fragile X Syndrome, the leading genetic cause of autism that affects my son, and volunteering in senior assisted living facilities with arts and crafts activities. I also enjoy supporting our Spartans by attending sports, fundraising, and other activities.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I am an honest, loyal and passionate advocate for education with deep roots in Deptford as a mom, retired teacher and three-term Board of Education member. I’ve proudly supported inclusive programs, vocational pathways, teacher contracts, and district improvements—from playgrounds to academies to expanded Pre-K. If re-elected, I’ll continue championing students, teachers, and families by promoting trades, business partnerships, special needs inclusion, and community engagement. I believe in respectful collaboration, transparency, and ensuring decisions are student-centered—not influenced by special interests. I’m proud of my record and remain committed to building on our successes. Contact us at 123forBOE@gmail.com
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If elected, my very first goal would be building and expanding on district communication and feedback with all stakeholders. I would also focus on expanding vocational and trade opportunities for our students. Not every child takes the same path, and we must ensure that all students have access to meaningful career training and real-world experiences. By partnering with local businesses, we can create apprenticeships and hands-on learning programs that prepare students for successful futures. I also want to promote inclusive practices, such as a buddy program for special needs students, and continue supporting teachers by involving them in key decisions. My goal is to build a stronger, more inclusive district that values every student’s unique potential and path.
Name: Sharnée Lotocki
Age: 40
How many years have you lived in Deptford? Almost 10
Family: Husband Andrew Lotocki, sons Beckett, 8, and Palmer, 6.
School and degree: Alumni of West Deptford High School. Bachelor’s from West Viriginia Wesleyan College.
Profession: Claims Complex Director. Field Commercial Property Adjuster
Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat on the board? Yes
What is your involvement in the community?
I actively volunteer at multiple local events and have served on two separate PTOs over the past four years. My husband and I have coached recreational soccer, and he currently serves as an assistant coach on the 2017 Girls Premier team.
Why are you running?
As a parent with children in our school system, I’ve experienced first hand the impact of board decisions on families. Over the past two years, I’ve questioned choices surrounding busing, student safety, administration approvals and the removal of advanced classes, issues that directly affect students and parents every day. What’s missing is a board perspective rooted in the lived experience within our schools. None of the current members has children in the schools, and that disconnect matters. I’m running to ensure families have a voice at the table, so decisions reflect both practicality and the best interests of our students.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would like to focus on busing. Busing has been a standard part of education for over 90 years, yet Deptford continues to struggle with this issue. It’s time to find a sustainable and effective solution that ensures reliability and safety for our students and families. Parents and the traffic that most families navigate in the morning cannot continue to navigate these challenges year after year.
Name: Thomas “Tom” Spencer
Age: 72
How many years have you lived in Deptford? 43
Family: Married 46 years, three children, all Deptford grads, one grandson in Deptford Middle School.
School and degree: Bachelor’s in math/sociology, master’s in Human Resource Administration, Central Michigan University.
Profession: Retired from Temple University Hospital, manager of patient care applications.
Is this your first time running for a seat on board? No
How many years/terms have you served as a member?
One full three-year term, one-year unexpired term.
What is your involvement in the community?
Deptford youth sports coach of baseball, basketball and soccer. Chairman of Deptford Day and Christmas parades, Deptford Zoning Board vice chairman, board liaison to Light the Stadium Committee.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I’m very proud of my town and our school system, but there’s room for improvement, especially in areas of advanced classes for our students that want them, and our transportation system is perennially a sore spot. As important as I feel being an informed voter is, sometimes it takes more to effect change than simply voting. You have to be part of the process that makes the decisions. I’m hearing the concerns of our residents and parents, and I feel I can help address those concerns if I’m a member of the school board.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
There are a number of areas to consider, but one that is a priority for me is our academic standing and student preparedness for continued education. Most people hear that and automatically think that means college prep. Sure, continued education can mean college, but to me it’s much more than that. I plan to concentrate on improving academic offerings that will prepare our students to be successful in life, whether they choose to pursue college, trade skills or technical areas of study.
