Four candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for three open seats on the Tabernacle Board of Education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. One candidate is running for an open, unexpired one-year term.
The candidates are incumbents Tracy Betts, Dean Dodaro and Erica Vining and Greg Casterioto and the candidate for the unexpired term, Stephen J. Henske Jr. All were asked to submit an election questionnaire. As of deadline, Vining and Henske had not responded.
Name: Tracy Betts
Age: 43
How many years have you lived in Tabernacle? We chose to move to Tabernacle four years ago after working in Tabernacle for the past 20 years.
Family: Niklas Tama and I have two daughters who are in 4th and 3rd grade at Tabernacle Elementary School.
School and degree: Rowan University – B.A. in English with a secondary education certification. Wilmington University – M.Ed. in school leadership.
Profession: I am a dedicated, experienced (this is my 21st year) English teacher at Seneca High School. I earned the Teacher of the Year for Seneca High School and Lenape Regional High School District awards in 2011 and the Shining Star award from the Burlington County Principals and Supervisors Association in 2023. I am also an instructional specialist in the Lenape Regional High School District where I provide professional development focused on best practices for the classroom.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for BOE? This is my first time running in a traditional election for Board of Education. Upon the resignation of a former BOE member, I ran during the special election in June 2024 to fill the interim position. I was one of three candidates who applied and interviewed with the current Board of Education members. Upon the conclusion of the public interviews, the Board selected me as the best candidate based on my experience and qualifications. I have been a member of the board since June 10.
What is your involvement in the community? As a 20-year veteran teacher at Seneca High School, I have organized, facilitated, and/or supported countless events and activities that support our students and Tabernacle community such as Food Drives, Relay for Life, American Red Cross Blood Drives, and Safe Trick-or-Treat. As a parent of two Tabernacle Elementary students, I am an active member of the Tabernacle Home and School Association where I have chaired and/or volunteered for Fun Nights, Flower Sales, Harlem Wizards Fundraiser, Holidaypalooza, Yearbook committee, and multiple classroom activities for both of my children. As a Tabernacle community member, I participate in community events like the Community Clean-Up, support our local Tabernacle Athletic Association, and volunteer coach for our Youth Cheerleading program. My involvement throughout the community has allowed me the opportunity to build and foster lasting relationships with our local businesses strengthening the connection between our Tabernacle students and our community.
Why are you running for an elected seat? With two children in Tabernacle Elementary school, I have been an involved parent for the past four years (as shared above). Beyond what I’ve done for the Tabernacle schools is what I’ve done for our Tabernacle community. Before I was a mom or even a Tabernacle resident, I was invested in the people of the Tabernacle community through my role as an educator at Seneca High School. I’m committed to the long-term success of our Tabernacle students. I love my chosen profession, and I am eager to continue to bring my first-hand knowledge and classroom experience to the BOE.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? My main focus is to provide the best education for all of our students that our community can afford. It is essential for Board of Education members to listen to all stakeholders to ensure that every voice is heard. Fostering an environment of collaboration and communication between our schools, homes, and community helps achieve student success. As a BOE, we have a responsibility to consider how each policy affects every student. I am not a single-issue candidate, and I recognize the necessity of evolving as the community’s needs evolve– every issue that affects our students, families, and taxpayers is important.
Name: Dean Dodaro
Age: 39
How many years have you lived in Tabernacle? 11
Family: Married to Kristen Dodaro, a 15-year veteran middle school teacher, with three kids in the Tabernacle School District, ages 12, 12, and 11.
School and degree: Rowan University BS Chemical Engineering 2008, Rowan University MBA 2017
Profession: Polymer Engineer
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for BOE? No, running for a second term, served three years (1 term).
What is your involvement in the community? Coach of various rec and travel sports, current BOE member, considerate neighbor
Why are you running for an elected seat? The children in our town deserve the best we can offer them. By participating on the board, I am afforded a seat at the table to help make the most responsible and efficient decisions we can to better their outcomes and help them achieve their maximum potential in a safe and nurturing environment.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? In my first term I made a concerted effort to bring all of our stakeholders together through the formation of a communications committee and through various efforts on operations and policy committees. I will continue that effort, but also recognize the need for creative solutions to academic and financial challenges that lie ahead.
Name: Greg Casterioto
Age: 47
How many years have you lived in Tabernacle? I have lived in Tabernacle for 45 out of my 47 years. I am raising my family in the house I grew up in which my parents had built before I was born.
Family: I am married. My wife, Melissa, has also lived in Tabernacle since she was in middle school and attended Olson Middle School. I have two daughters, ages 6 and 9, who currently attend Tabernacle Elementary School.
School and degree: I graduated from Rowan University in 1999 with my bachelor’s degree in communications.
Profession: I am the Vice President of Public Relations for Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform. Prior to that, I spent 23 years working in the Phillies communications department.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for BOE? Yes
What is your involvement in the community? I currently sit on Tabernacle’s Land Development Board and am a part-time volunteer with TAA and the HSA. Both of my daughters have been involved with TAA soccer for the past several years.
Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for an elected seat for, probably, the same reasons anyone would, which is to serve my community and help make the best decisions for the children who attend the Tabernacle School system. Being able to serve the public is a privilege no one should take lightly and I have immense pride that I was born and raised in Tabernacle and still call it home today. I want to do anything and everything I can to help make Tabernacle among the best places to live in New Jersey – as I believe it is – and a strong education system is an incredibly important piece of achieving that goal.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? My chosen profession is communication and we live in an age when communicating with others has never been more important and, at the same time, never been easier. Whether it’s in person (my preference) or via phone, email or text, keeping the lines of communication open and honest with not just parents and teachers, but also the community as a whole, is of utmost importance. Our children are our most precious commodity and keeping everyone on the same page and in the loop is key for a productive relationship.
