Every election season, NJ Pen invites candidates running for local office to tell voters a bit about themselves and their priorities before the ballots are cast.
We produce these profiles in the public interest, but our journalism is possible only through small, regular contributions from our readers — so if you’re reading this for free, it’s because other readers have made it possible for us to offer it to you.
To support our ability to keep doing this work year-round, please become a subscriber.
Five Cherry Hill residents are running for three available three-year terms on the Cherry Hill Public Schools Board of Education: Candi Cummings, Brandi DeVeaux, Collin Duckett, Adam Greenbaum, and Gina Winters.
All candidates have been invited to reply to the same set of prompts, telling voters about themselves, their priorities, and their views of the current state of affairs in their community. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Candi Cummings, 50 (Challenger)
Candi Cummings is an 11-year Cherry Hill resident, and married mother of two Cherry Hill Public Schools (CHPS) students.
Her husband is a proud CHPS graduate (Kingston, Carusi, and High School West).
When she’s not advocating for students and families, Cummings enjoys knitting, reading, gardening, walking her dog, and attending school events with her children.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
CUMMINGS: I believe public education is the foundation of a strong community and a vibrant democracy.
Each child deserves access to an excellent education; one that challenges them academically, supports them emotionally, and empowers them to become capable, compassionate citizens.
Achieving that requires shared responsibility: families, educators, and the community working in partnership to ensure each student has the opportunity to thrive.
Public education must prepare students not just for tests, but for life—teaching them to think critically, persevere through challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
That means ensuring equitable opportunities and resources across all schools, advocating responsibly for funding, and grounding every decision in the collective wisdom of those who know our students best—our teachers, families, and local partners.
At its heart, my philosophy is about empowerment; of students to reach their potential, of teachers to innovate and inspire, and of communities to have a voice in shaping the future of our schools.
Through collaboration built on integrity, empathy, equity, and determination, we can create a public education system that reflects both our shared values and our shared commitment to the success of every child.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
CUMMINGS: Since 2016, I’ve been deeply involved in school communities, serving on PTA executive boards at both Joseph D. Sharp Elementary School and Henry C. Beck Middle School. Because of my successful leadership at both Sharp and Beck, I was tapped to be the Chair of the Cherry Hill Zone PTA, representing 19 PTAs and nearly 11,000 students.
Through this work, I have seen firsthand the power of families, teachers, and students working in true partnership. I’ve built the relationships and experience needed to strengthen our schools, and I know how to blend community voices with district-level policy.
Real progress happens when families, teachers, and administrators work together. I have first-hand knowledge of whom to connect with, how to navigate district processes, and how to collaborate toward common goals. My advocacy comes with both compassion and determination.
My recent advocacy includes:
- Partnering with the Superintendent, district leaders, and families to implement an updated cell phone policy, helping students stay more focused throughout the school day.
- Testifying for increased school funding at the NJ Assembly Budget Hearings (2025) and
- NJ Senate Budget Hearings (2024).
- Speaking before the NJ Department of Education on updating the school funding formula.
- Serving on the district’s Strategic Planning Committee, contributing to the Five-Year Plan and Portrait of a Graduate.
- Participating in community focus groups on topics like elementary redistricting, as well as the Bond Referendum Key Communicators group.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
CUMMINGS: I am seeking election to the Board of Education because I believe in the promise of public education and the responsibility to invest in academic excellence and community trust.
Schools are strongest when built together with transparency. Students thrive when teachers thrive. Families must always have a seat at the table.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your district faces?
CUMMINGS: Funding. With reduced state aid, rising property taxes, and inconsistent support from the NJDOE, too much of the financial burden continues to fall on our families.
Each year, the state adds new mandates without the funding to meet them, forcing districts like Cherry Hill to do more with less. Even being “held harmless” to a 3-percent reduction in aid equates to a loss of $7.7 million in a budget of $256 million. This is a significant hit that impacts classrooms, staff, and programs.
To protect both our students and taxpayers, we must pursue alternative funding streams such as grants, partnerships, and operational efficiencies, so we can maintain educational excellence while easing the strain on families. Sustainable funding isn’t just about balancing a budget; it’s about keeping our schools strong for the next generation.
That’s why I’m committed to advocating for predictable, fair funding and stronger accountability from the state. Cherry Hill families shouldn’t shoulder the costs of state shortfalls. Our schools deserve stability—so teachers can focus on teaching, students can focus on learning, and families can trust that every tax dollar is working directly for our children’s success.
Absenteeism and declining student performance. One of the biggest factors behind declining performance is absenteeism. Students can’t learn if they’re not in school, and too many are missing valuable instructional time. Chronic absenteeism disrupts learning, weakens connections with teachers and peers, and ultimatelyshows up in lower academic outcomes across every grade level.
To turn this around, we need to understand why students aren’t in school. To do this, we need to start meeting families where they’re at. Listening, identifying barriers, and providing support rather than punishment. We must focus on belonging and safety and make students feel welcome, safe, and supported every day. We must help them see themselves as active participants in their education, with ownership over their learning and their future.
When students understand that their effort and attendance directly shape their goals and opportunities, they’re more motivated to show up and engage. Empowering them to set goals, reflect on progress, and see results builds confidence and accountability, qualities that drive consistent attendance and higher achievement.
We need outreach, communication, and partnership at every level. When families feel supported and know their children are safe and valued, they’re more likely to send them to school. And when students feel connected to their peers, their teachers, and their purpose, they want to be there.
However, lasting change won’t come from enforcing attendance as a rule. It comes from building it as a standard. When we move from compliance to culture, we redefine success. We’re not just following rules; we’re living our standards. And when students believe this is who we are, attendance follows naturally.
Consistent attendance drives stronger test scores, but lasting success comes from the relationships and shared standards that keep students walking through our doors every day, ready to learn and thrive.
Attendance isn’t just about being present in class; it’s about being present in purpose. And when every student embraces that standard—of showing up, engaging, and striving for greatness, achievement will follow.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
CUMMINGS: When elected, I will prioritize three commitments:
Academic Excellence. Students should be challenged, supported, and inspired to reach full potential while feeling a sense of belonging. This includes prioritizing the special education population because inclusivity is making sure that a child with an IEP or a 504 has the same access to opportunity as their peers, or that a student supported by MTSS gets early intervention before falling behind. I will always champion the tools and teamwork that help every child succeed.
Support for Teachers & Staff. Educators are the backbone of our schools. They know that true academic success goes hand in hand with building confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. Teachers deserve resources, respect, and to thrive. When teachers thrive, our students thrive.
Family & Community Partnership. Strong partnerships with families and our broader
community keep our schools rooted in the values we all share. As a board member, I will be committed to listening to parents and teachers and bringing them together to collaborate. Families bring energy, insight, and heart when they feel invited into the conversation. These kinds of partnerships build trust and help families see the board and district as allies in their child’s success, not just decision-makers at a distance. This is the kind of environment I will foster when elected to the board.
Adam Greenbaum, 49 (Incumbent)
Incumbent Cherry Hill Board of Education Vice-President Adam Greenbaum lives in Cherry Hill with his wife and 10-year-old son.
A cybersecurity engineer by trade, Greenbaum enjoys gardening, mountain biking, and photography in his free time.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
GREENBAUM: I am passionate about education, and come from a family of teachers.
I am committed to safe and healthy schools for our students, where they can grow and learn.
Identifying and removing barriers to learning ensures that everyone has the same opportunities to succeed. When we all start on equal footing, every child is able to live up to their full potential.
I believe in fiscal responsibility, data-driven decision making, leading with empathy, and ensuring a quality education for all.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
GREENBAUM: I work as a cybersecurity expert in the aerospace and defense industries. I have served on the Cherry Hill Board of Education for the past three years, and currently serve as the Vice President, as well as chair of the Business and Facilities committee.
This includes collaboration with district administration to develop budgets that prioritize academic success and the well-being of our students and staff, as well as providing oversight for the many bond referendum construction projects across the district.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
GREENBAUM: I am running for re-election to the Cherry Hill Board of Education to continue the progress we have made over the past three years. This includes rebuilding our schools through bond referendum projects, and improved accessibility across the district.
Full-day preschool expansion now serves more than 500 students, and we focused on academic success through curriculum enhancements, targeted supports, and grant opportunities. I have joined community leaders to advocate for state funding in Trenton for the past two years, and continue to stay engaged with key stakeholders.
I am excited about all that we have achieved, but there is more work to be done.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your district faces?
GREENBAUM: School funding remains one of the biggest challenges our district faces. Rising costs, state cuts, and a flawed funding formula have made budgeting difficult for our district. I supported the bond referendum that is now improving schools across the district, and have met with legislators and testified before the state budget committee to push for reform to the funding formula.
We’ve made progress, but it’s not enough. We must raise our voices and work together to demand common-sense changes to the funding formula so every student and staff member has the resources they need to succeed.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
GREENBAUM: Three issues I will focus on if re-elected are: academic achievement, school funding, and fostering an inclusive culture.
- Academic achievement is the primary purpose of public education, and the district needs to maintain a continued focus on academic success for all students.
- School funding encompasses sound fiscal management, continued oversight of bond referendum projects, and advocacy in Trenton for fair funding for our schools.
- Promoting an inclusive school atmosphere ensures that every student feels valued, supported, and able to succeed.
Gina Winters, 46 (Incumbent)
Gina Winters is the sitting president of the Cherry Hill Board of Education, and a 22-year Cherry Hill resident.
A married mother of three school-aged children, she enjoys volunteering with church and community groups, and leads a Girl Scout troop.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
WINTERS: I believe in a public education system that supports each student’s academic success, and guides students to discover their strengths and passions so that they can reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
WINTERS: I earned my master’s degree in Public Policy from Rutgers University, where my primary focus was education policy. After graduation, I served as nonpartisan staff for the New Jersey State Legislature.
I have been a Cherry Hill Board of Education member since 2022, and was unanimously chosen to serve as board president beginning in January 2025. Since 2023, I have chaired the Curriculum and Instruction committee, focused on improving academic achievement for all students from preschool to high school.
As a member of the Policy and Legislation committee, I supported the creation of our district cell phone policy — one of the first in the State — to support focused, engaged learning environments.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
WINTERS: I have served on the school board since 2022, and I have really enjoyed connecting with the community and helping to guide our school district on a path towards continued success.
I am running for another term to focus on boosting academic achievement for all students, ensuring responsible fiscal management — including oversight of the bond referendum projects — and fostering an inclusive school culture, where every student feels welcomed and belongs. I am committed to safe, healthy schools where students can learn and grow together.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your district faces?
WINTERS: The biggest challenge is fiscal uncertainty on both the federal and state levels. It is challenging to plan for the future when our funding outlook changes drastically from year to year.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
WINTERS: If re-elected, my first priority would be to continue my focus on academic success for all students. Our students need access to rigorous curricula, high standards, and individualized supports so that they can learn, grow, and thrive.
Secondly, to prepare our students for graduation, I will also focus on college- and career-readiness skills and expanding internship opportunities for our high-school students so that they can gain the skills they need to be successful.
Finally, in order to maintain the high quality education that Cherry Hill is known for, a big piece of the puzzle is continued focus on recruiting, retaining, and supporting excellent teachers and staff.
