Barnegat School Board Election 2026: Doreen Continanza

BARNEGAT, NJ — Election Day is Nov. 3, and voters will have their say on local, school board and county elections.

Ahead of the 2026 election, Patch will be publishing profiles on local candidates. Here's what Barnegat Township Board of Education candidate Doreen Continanza had to say.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the Nov. 3 general election. These responses will be published edited only for style. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact veronica.flesher@patch.com.

Name: DOREEN CONTINANZA

LEADING WITH EXPERIENCE - 1E -2E- 3E

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ

Occupation: Retired Administrative Assistant for public education

What drove you to seek public office?

With 26 years of experience in public education, working in a Board of Education office, I felt I could bring valuable knowledge and experience to the Barnegat Board. My goal is to help our schools continue to improve and provide the best education possible for every student. Living in a Barnegat 55+ community, I understand the importance of keeping taxes responsible while protecting the programs and opportunities our students deserve.

What Sets You Apart from Other Candidates?

What sets me apart is my 26 years of experience in education, 12 years as a Barnegat resident, and my experience serving three elected terms on the Board of Education. As the current Vice President, I understand the importance of collaboration with fellow board members, administrators, teachers, and staff to make the best decisions for our district. While I am independent in my thinking, I believe in working as a team, asking the necessary questions, and making informed decisions before casting my vote. My focus has always been on making responsible choices that support our students, strengthen our schools, and respect our taxpayers.

What is the most pressing issue facing the Barnegat Township School District?

One of the most pressing issues facing Barnegat schools is maintaining fiscal responsibility while continuing to provide a quality education. Limited state funding for Ocean County schools, with rising employee health insurance costs, state mandate- requirement programs, and costs of special education place significant pressure on our state school budgets. Barnegat Board of Education has worked to keep its budget increases low while meeting the needs of our students. We must advocate for fair state funding and find responsible ways to control costs without compromising student programs, staffing, or educational opportunities.

If elected, what will your top priority be?

My two top priorities are improving student achievement and maintaining fiscal responsibility while navigating the financial challenges facing our district. I am committed to protecting the academic programs, extracurricular activities, and athletics that provide students with a well-rounded education while respecting our taxpayers. I also strongly believe parents should remain at the center of their children’s education and have a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their learning and future.

What is your favorite thing about living in Barnegat?

My favorite thing about Barnegat is that we enjoy the charm of a shore town all year round. I love the pride our residents have in our community and our schools, and the way people come together to support one another. Through open communication and shared ideas, we can continue to improve our schools and community and make Barnegat an even better place to live and raise a family.