About Deborah
Deborah is a compassionate and dedicated resident running for the Board of Education. With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rider University and 35 years of experience working for the State of New Jersey, including significant financial roles in the Attorney General’s Office, Deborah possesses the precise expertise needed to address the monetary challenges facing the district. Waretown’s school district has long been under financial strain, often making reactive decisions that have left taxpayers bearing an ever-increasing burden. Deborah understands the need for responsible, forward-thinking leadership to guide the district through these difficult times. Her extensive background in financial analysis and supervision provides her with the tools to make informed, strategic decisions that prioritize the needs of students while also respecting the financial realities of the community.
Beyond her professional experience, Deborah has a deep commitment to serving others. For 19 years, she has volunteered as a religious education teacher for second graders, and for five years, she has been a dedicated telephone helpline operator in a neighboring county. Her experience as a substitute teacher for grades PS3-6 also gives her valuable insight into the educational system and the challenges faced by students and teachers alike. As a mother of three adult daughters, including one who is a teacher and principal, Deborah knows firsthand the importance of a strong educational foundation. She believes that her unique perspective, coming from outside the traditional education sector, can bring fresh ideas and much-needed change to the Board of Education. Her focus is on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, with a priority on enhancing classroom experiences and improving educational outcomes for all students.
At this critical crossroads, Waretown’s school district needs leadership that is not only fiscally responsible but also deeply committed to the well-being of the community. Deborah is ready to step into that role, bringing her financial expertise, community service background, and passion for education to ensure that the district moves forward in a positive direction—benefiting students, parents, and taxpayers alike.
Why Deborah is running for Board of Education
Deborah Thomas is running for a seat on the Board of Education because she believes that the district desperately needs responsible and transparent leadership, especially in the area of financial management. The recent handling of the 9.9% tax increase is a clear example of why change is urgently needed. Many taxpayers, including Deborah herself, were left frustrated and concerned when the Board provided no clear explanation for why this substantial increase was necessary, nor how the additional funds would be used to benefit the students. The lack of communication and accountability displayed by the current Board is simply unacceptable.
Deborah was shocked by the absence of strategic and financial planning in the Board’s decision-making process. A 3.76% budget increase was approved in May, only for it to be unexpectedly raised to 9.9% by July, without any justification provided to the community. This kind of reactive and opaque approach to financial management has only deepened the district’s struggles, placing an unnecessary burden on taxpayers while failing to deliver the transparency and results that the community deserves.
With a voluminous number of years of experience in Finance working within the public sector, Deborah understands the importance of careful, strategic planning and the need for clear communication with the public. She is running for the Board of Education to hold the current leadership accountable and to demand answers about the necessity of this tax increase for all taxpayers. More importantly, Deborah is committed to ensuring that any additional funds are used wisely and effectively, prioritizing the educational needs of the children over administrative costs.
Deborah’s candidacy is driven by a deep concern for the future of the district and a firm belief that it’s time for a subject matter expert in finance to step in and turn things around. She is ready to bring her expertise, her dedication to the community, and her commitment to transparency to the Board, ensuring that every decision made is in the best interest of the students, parents, and taxpayers of Waretown!