Ocean City School Board Election 2026: Catherine Panico

OCEAN CITY , NJ — Election Day is Nov. 3, and Ocean City residents will vote on school board and county elections.

Ahead of the 2026 election, Patch will be publishing profiles on local candidates. Here's what Ocean City Board of Education candidate Catherine Panico 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.

As an experienced educator, and office manager- and first and foremost, a mother of 4- I know that effective leadership requires both professional expertise and deep personal investment. Just like raising a child, serving on a school board means asking touch questions, caring enough to set boundaries and working for the betterment of our students.

I became involved in our schools because, as a parent, I saw the need for greater transparency and meaningful parental involvement in our children’s education. I had questions about what my children were being taught, the content of their lessons and books, and even the messages presented during school assemblies. I believed parents deserved clear answers and a voice in these important decisions.

During the COVID era, as the New Jersey Department of Education updated its State Learning Standards, I became increasingly concerned about the need for careful review, open discussion, and community input. Instead, I saw local parents’ concerns go unanswered and opportunities for meaningful dialogue missed. That experience motivated me to step forward and seek a seat on the Ocean City Board of Education.

I was elected on a commitment to parental rights, transparency, and accountability. I am running for re-election because I believe our schools should put students’ futures first by providing a strong educational foundation, critical thinking skills, and the knowledge they need to succeed in life. I want to see a renewed focus on academic achievement and practical preparation for the future, with less emphasis on social engineering and ideology. Schools should educate students, encourage thoughtful inquiry, and prepare young people to become capable, independent thinkers.

An effective school board needs independent voices—members who are willing to ask difficult questions, examine policies and curriculum, and provide active oversight rather than simply agree with recommendations. During my time on the board, I have worked to bring greater attention to policies, curriculum, and professional development. While I have not always had the support of my fellow board members, including some incumbents running for re-election, I believe that raising these questions is an essential part of responsible governance.

Transparency is not about creating conflict; it is about building trust. Parents should be able to understand what is being taught, how educational decisions are made, and how those decisions serve their children. They deserve a school board that listens, asks questions, seeks answers, and holds itself and the administration accountable to the community it serves.

One of the reasons I love Ocean City is its strong emphasis on family values and its ability to bring people together as a community. I believe our schools should reflect those same principles by partnering with parents, respecting the role families play in their children’s development, and keeping students’ educational needs at the center of every decision. Education should be a unifying force that brings families, educators, and the community together around a shared commitment to our children’s success.

I am running again because Ocean City deserves an independent voice committed to thoughtful oversight, open communication, and practical solutions. I will continue working to ensure that education remains focused on preparing students for their futures, that parents have a meaningful role in their children’s education, and that our school district remains accountable to the students, families, and taxpayers it serves. My goal is to help build a school system that honors Ocean City’s family-centered values while giving every student the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.