Your Atlantic Highlands Candidates
Noreen Higgins
My name is Noreen Higgins, and I am running for re-election to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education for one of the two-year seats representing Atlantic Highlands. As a first-year board of education member in 2023-2024, I was proud to be part of the process that regionalized of all three schools.
I care deeply about this school district. My two children attend Henry Hudson and will remain there until they graduate. Both attended Atlantic Highlands Elementary School previously. My daughter is a senior this year and my son is in eighth grade. Both are involved in school activities and sports. My husband and I are both from Toms River and chose small-town Atlantic Highlands to raise our family twenty-one years ago.
I have a strong background in education which spans twenty-six years. I hold a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and have worked as an elementary school teacher, special education teacher, reading interventionist, and currently as a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant on the Child Study Team.
When I am not working or attending my children’s sporting events, you can find me at the gym or around town walking my dogs. As we near the election in November, I ask for your consideration to help bring continued success to the students of Henry Hudson Regional Schools.
Allison Jacobs
I am Allison Jacobs, seeking re-election to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education for the one-year term representing Atlantic Highlands. I previously served on the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School Board from 2021 to 2023. I am committed to serving our community and increasing opportunities for our students to achieve.
As a school board member, my focus has always been on promoting our students and school community. By celebrating our students' accomplishments and fostering a strong, supportive school environment, we can attract and retain students. I am proud of my work on the board advocating for our students and supporting our teachers to succeed in the classroom.
I am particularly proud of our successful regionalization effort. This was a crucial step in creating a stronger, unified school district. I worked closely with the administration and all 25 board members from the three school districts to bring Regionalization to a referendum, which was overwhelmingly approved by Atlantic Highlands residents. Regionalization has brought many positive changes to our community, including free preschool and breakfast for all students and tax relief. Now that we are one district, the foundation has been secured for our schools and community to move forward.
Since moving to Atlantic Highlands in 2019, I have been an active member of the school community as a volunteer, homeroom parent, PTO member, and supporter of the Admiral Athletics Club. My son is a 7th grader at Henry Hudson Middle School, and I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community.
I will continue to support initiatives that challenge our students and empower our faculty. I am committed to making Henry Hudson Regional School District the best possible learning environment for all of our students.
On November 5th, I hope to have your vote for the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education. I am excited to continue working for Hudson’s Bright Future!
Claire Kozic
My name is Claire Kozic, and I am running for re-election to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education for one of the three-year seats representing Atlantic Highlands. It has been an incredible honor to serve as your former HHRS Board President over the past three years, working closely with my fellow board members to advocate for the best interests of our students and community. I am also proud to serve as Co-President of the Admirals Athletic Association, where I continue to support opportunities for our student-athletes to excel on and off the field.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of during my tenure on the Board is our collective effort to regionalize the three schools. This initiative was an essential step toward creating a more cohesive and unified educational experience for our students, while also enhancing the efficiency and strength of our district as a whole. I am confident that this move will have a lasting, positive impact on our students, faculty, and community, and I am excited to see the benefits continue to unfold in the coming years.
As a parent with deep ties to the Henry Hudson community, I have a vested interest in the success of our district. My daughter graduated with the Class of 2024, and I currently have both a senior and a 7th grader attending HHRS. With 23 years of experience as an educator, alongside a Master’s degree in Educational Administration, I bring a strong background in curriculum development, instructional practices, and educational leadership. My expertise in health and wellness education also informs my approach to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students.
In addition to my career in education, I have coached teams at both the recreational and collegiate levels, gaining valuable insights into teamwork, perseverance, and student development. This experience, combined with my time on the Board, has shaped my well-rounded perspective as a candidate dedicated to supporting the needs of every student in our district.
For the past 20 years, my husband and I have called Atlantic Highlands home, raising our three children in this close-knit community. My commitment to Henry Hudson runs deep, and as always, I "bleed blue" for the Admirals.
As the election approaches on November 5th, I humbly ask for your support in securing one of the three-year seats. Together, we can build on the progress we've made and continue working toward an even brighter future for all of our students.
Thank you for your trust and consideration. Let's keep Henry Hudson Regional School District moving forward!
Cory Wingerter
My name is Cory Wingerter and I’m seeking re-election for the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education representing Atlantic Highlands on a three-year seat.
I moved here in my 2017 with my wife and daughter and have since grown my family to three kids and two dogs. I knew I wanted to raise a family in Atlantic Highlands from the first time I visited. Seeing families out and about, restaurants with their doors open, and playgrounds filled with kids felt like it was a town we could call home. I’ve felt a sense of owing the community for everything it provides me and I’d like to continue to pay it back through my seat on the Board.
I currently serve as the Board President of the Inaugural Regional Board of Education and would love to continue to serve both towns for the next three years. Over my past two years as a Board of Education member, I’ve successfully worked with my colleagues to Regionalize our districts, successfully negotiate a new teacher contract, provide free pre-K to almost 75 children across both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, decrease the school’s tax rates for both towns, secure over $1M of tax aid each year, and support our teachers by improving their Professional Development opportunities. Each success could not have been done without the experience and support of the current Board of Education, our Superintendent, and our Administration.
You can usually see me riding around town on my bike playing uber to my kids or dogs, getting pizza at Julio’s, or scones at Hudon Café. Don’t hesitate to stop me and ask about what we’ve done or what we plan on doing to improve the lives of our students, teachers, faculty, and administration. I’d love to chat and hear what we can do better as I feel there’s always room for improvement.
Thank you for your consideration.