Seven candidates are running for open seats on the Gloucester Township Board of Education on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. They are Dena Hendry, Linda K. Gilch, Marc Torriero, Joseph Tursi Jr., Kia R. Gore, Nicholas Hutchison and Angelo DeStefano.
All candidates were asked to complete questionnaires. As of deadline, only Hendry and Gilch had responded.
Name: Dena Hendry
Age: 45
How many years have you lived in Gloucester Township? 0
Married? Children? Married, three sons, one 12, twins, 11
School and degree: Lackawanna College and Slippery Rock University
Profession: Business development manager
Is this the first time you have run for a seat on the board? No, I ran in 2022 and 2023 and came in fourth both times.
What is your involvement in the community? In 2017, I became involved in my community through my children’s elementary school. I joined the parent group at Chews Elementary, where I volunteered for events and eventually took on leadership roles as co-secretary and co-vice president. My passion for improving our schools grew, leading me to regularly attend school board meetings since 2020. This involvement has deepened my commitment to supporting students, teachers, and families in our community.
Why are you running for an elected seat? I’m running for an elected seat to improve the experience of students, support teachers and staff and strengthen the community. I believe education is the foundation of our future, and I want to help create a school environment that serves everyone.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I would focus on transparency. By fostering transparency, we can ensure clear communication and accountability, making it easier for the community to stay informed and engaged. This will lead to better decision making and a stronger partnership between the board and the people it serves.
Name: Linda K. Gilch
Age: 63
How many years have you lived in Gloucester Township? 38
Married? Children? Married, two grown children
Profession and education: Rutgers University, master’s in history, master’s in education
Is this the first time you have run for a seat on the board? No. I am currently a board member and have been for 16-plus years. I was off the board for a few years, then ran again and won.
Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for the board this year because I have a strong passion for education and believe every child can and should have the opportunity to learn. I always educate myself on the topics that are facing our children and our schools today. My children attended Gloucester Township schools and have done very well with their careers. I believe they had the best teachers that taught and mentored them to reach their highest potential.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? There are many areas I would like to concentrate on. One is the curriculum to make this district the best. I want every child to have the tools to be the best they can be and more. I want to make sure that all stakeholders in this community are involved. I am here for the children and that is my first priority. There is so much you need to concentrate on in a school district, and I only hope that I can do the best to serve the community, and, most importantly, the children and their families. Not having younger children in the district does not mean I am not in touch with the areas that need to be worked on.
