Six candidates will vie for three seats on the Medford school board in the Nov. 4 election.
Lauren Caffery, Michael Etter and Kristin Sinclair are seeking reelection, while Bruno Berenato, Brett Beyer and Theodore Hilke are seeking their first terms.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire; Etter did not respond before press time. Answers have been lightly edited for space.
Name: Bruno Berenato
Age: 38
How many years have you lived in Medford? 11
Family: I am married and have a 3-year-old daughter
Education: Bachelor of Finance and an MBA
Profession: School business administrator
Community involvement: I serve as the Vice Chair for Camden County Partnership for Children, I serve as the Secretary for our Homeowner’s Association (HOA) in Tamarac, and we frequently attend events that Medford Hosts.
Why are you running for a board seat?
With my background in finance and school operations, I am well-prepared to help the district navigate important challenges and opportunities, including the upcoming bond maturity, which I believe should be returned to the residents to help reduce tax costs. I am also committed to addressing the overcrowding in our schools, planning for increasing enrollment, and ensuring that our facilities remain a source of pride for the community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Maintaining fiscal responsibility so taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
Name: Brett W. Beyer
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Medford? 12
Family: Wife Kristen, two daughters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Stockton University
Profession: Employed by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) since 2005. I have been a
detective in the Bomb Unit with the state police since 2011, and a detective sergeant since 2023.
Community involvement: I have participated in the Medford Township School District’s safety committee
meetings for the last three years. I have volunteered and helped coach various recreation and travel sports teams for my daughter over the last four years. My wife and I attend community fundraisers and events to support charities and programs.
Why are you running for a board seat?
I am running because I feel I represent a strong part of this community. I have two daughters that are in Medford School District. The board and district are doing a wonderful job of educating our children. Regardless of your profession, there are always contributions you can make. I would communicate with principals, teachers and school counselors in our district, to see if there are any educational concerns, unresolved safety issues or any cultural or economic difficulties within their schools.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
The area I will concentrate on if elected is school safety, so we can “Secure our Future.” For the last seven years I have had the opportunity to lecture for the New Jersey Department of Education, School Bomb Threat: Assessment and Response. The primary audience for this lecture is superintendents, principals and SROs. My unique background provides Medford Township School District with a wide range of safety options. Some of these options will cost no money for the taxpayers. I want to take a
closer look into safety plans Medford Township.
Name: Lauren Caffery
Age: 44
How many years have you lived in Medford? 12
Family: I’ve been married to my husband for 19 years, and we have three children. rting our schools and advocating for all students.
Education: I earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Rutgers University, followed by two additional Bachelor of Science degrees in Human Anatomy and Health & Wellness from Parker University. I also hold a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker University. In addition, I completed postgraduate coursework in Functional Neurology and Childhood Developmental Disorders through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies.
Profession: I am a surgical neurophysiologist and have earned my CNIM (Certification in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring). As a CNIM-certified professional, I monitor patients’ brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve function during surgery to help prevent nerve damage and ensure patient safety. This work requires attention to detail, strong communication, and evidence-based decision-making, skills I bring to my role on the Board of Education.
Have you ever run for a board seat? I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board for the past three years during my first term, and I’m now seeking reelection to continue the work we’ve started on behalf of students, families and educators.
Community Involvement: As a working mom, I do my best to support the kids in our community in any way I can. In addition to serving on the school board, I have coached my son’s and daughter’s recreational soccer teams for several years. Coaching has been an incredibly rewarding experience, filled with great memories. Now that my older two children are in high school, their focus has shifted to powerlifting. Both compete at the national level, and my youngest recently had her first meet. My husband serves as their head coach, and I’m proud to assist as the assistant coach.
Why are you running for reelection?
I’m running because my work is not finished. My priority remains the health and safety of our children in school. Since the pandemic, mental health, learning and behavioral challenges have increased, impacting education. Additionally, state funding cuts have created ongoing budget challenges for our district. The state mandates programs but often doesn’t provide the necessary funds, leaving taxpayers to fill the gap. I’m committed to advocating for fair school funding and rallying our community to pressure lawmakers to support Medford’s schools adequately.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I will focus on encouraging the board to partner with the township to explore sharing resources to provide SROs in all our schools, while seeking cost savings wherever possible. While we hope a school shooting never happens here, SROs are a vital safety deterrent. I also support exploring physical safety improvements during the upcoming referendum planning. With growing student enrollment, it’s essential to address the need to expand our school buildings to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Name: Theodore Hilke
Age: 47
How many years have you lived in Medford? Seven
Family: I have been married to my wife for nearly 14 years and have three children, ages 12, 8 and 6, in Medford schools.
Education: B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park, J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law
Profession: In-house attorney and the corporate secretary for an insurance company
Community involvement: I am involved my children’s school and extra-curricular activities and have coached multiple youth recreation sports team through Medford Youth Athletics Association.
Why are you running for a board seat?
I am a lifelong New Jersey resident and proud parent of three students currently attending Medford public schools. I’ve personally experienced how our schools enrich lives and I am seeking a seat on the board as an opportunity to give back to our community in a meaningful way. My goal is simple: provide support to the students, teachers and families in our community so that our schools remain a place where all children can grow and succeed. If elected, I bring board experience and invaluable skills in listening, collaborating and finding solutions.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If elected, I will focus on finding solutions to one our biggest challenges, a growing student enrollment at a time when state funding has been drastically reduced. As both a community member, parent and someone who deeply cares about our schools, I will work together with parents, teachers and residents to ensure every student continues to thrive as we tackle these financial pressures.
Name: Kristen M. Sinclair
Age: 42
How many years have you lived in Medford?: 13
Family: I am married to my husband of 15 years, and we have two sons in the Medford district.
Education: Undergrad degree in political science with honors, Rutgers-Camden. Law degree from Rutgers.
Profession: Attorney
Community involvement: As a mom of two young boys, you can find me on the sidelines watching my sons in soccer, football and baseball. My husband coaches our youngest in the Medford Youth Athletic Association’s 95-pound tackle squad. I have volunteered as a coach for Quickball (4- to 5-year-old softball) and for St. Mary’s of the Lakes to assist with the PREP class. I have been a room mom for both of my sons and have served on the Burlington County Republican Committee
Why are you running for reelection?
I am running because the work and goals I wanted to accomplish are still not complete. I love being a part of the Governance Committee and the Facilities/Security Committee. As a licensed attorney, I enjoy the process of protecting the school community through good governance and careful policy decisions. My experience practicing law has given me a stronger sense of balance in weighing policy and strategic planning goals. Advocating for kids is my passion.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would like to focus on legislative solutions to the current funding crisis in New Jersey, so that our district can achieve and afford optimal safety and security measures in every school. I am so proud of the measurable success and performance of our schools, and that is clearly a testament to the superintendent and the amazing professionals who are the heart of the district. My role is simply to be a voice for fairness in funding from the state, to provide oversight in the continued success of student achievement and prioritize the safety of every person in the schools.
