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Six Pennsauken residents are running for three available three-year terms on the Pennsauken Public School District Board of Education: incumbents Jaclyn Hutton, Ana Matos, and Matthew McDevitt, and challengers Wiliam Finnegan, John Monaco, and Nhuan Van.
All six 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.
William “Bill” Finnegan (Challenger)
Camden County College biology professor Bill Finnegan has spent 30 years in middle-school, high-school, alternative, and college education.
He holds a bachelor’s of science in biology from Ursinus College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Stockton University.
A lifelong Pennsauken resident and product of its public school system, Finnegan was a township EMT for 25 years, and Chief of Merchantville EMS.
He’s volunteered with the American Red Cross and was its Director of Emergency and Disaster Services for Camden County, respondeding to hurricanes, local emergencies, and Ground Zero of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York.
Finnegan managed the Pennsauken municipal pool for 20 years, was an assistant director to the Pennsauken High School marching band, a student advisor to high-school clubs, and Urban Promise Boat Works mentor.
What is your philosophy of education?
Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, but not every child needs to follow the same path to get there.
After more than three decades in education, I’ve learned that successful schools are built through relationships, high expectations, effective instruction, and meaningful support.
Students need teachers who believe in them, administrators who support learning, families who are welcomed as partners, and a school system that recognizes individual strengths and challenges.
I believe education should prepare students for life, not simply the next standardized test. College is an excellent pathway, but so are skilled trades, military service, public safety, technical careers, and business.
I also believe data has an important place in education, but collecting more information isn’t the same as improving instruction. We must use what we already know to make meaningful changes. Teachers’ experience, student work, classroom performance, and individual progress deserve serious consideration alongside standardized assessments.
Above all, education must remain focused on students rather than politics, personalities, or administrative convenience.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
I bring more than 30 years of direct classroom experience, educational leadership, program development, and community service.
Throughout my career, I’ve taught science, mathematics, and alternative education, developed courses in forensic science and medical terminology, helped establish a health science program, mentored student teachers, and worked extensively with students requiring individualized academic and behavioral support.
My leadership experience includes developing school schedules, analyzing student achievement data, working with special education teams, supporting students transitioning between educational programs, and helping develop strategies to improve academic performance.
One of my proudest accomplishments was my role in planning, promoting, and helping pass Pennsauken’s last successful school referendum.
That initiative supported significant improvements throughout our schools, including air conditioning, security vestibules, expanded middle school facilities, career and technical education programs, the Rick Taylor Athletic Center, stadium improvements, and investments supporting Roosevelt STEM and the high school STEM annex.
I have also managed budgets, supervised personnel, coordinated emergency responses, and led volunteers through my work in emergency medical services and the American Red Cross.
These experiences have taught me that effective leadership requires preparation, communication, accountability, and the willingness to make difficult decisions.
Why are you running for office?
Pennsauken isn’t simply where I live. It’s where I grew up, developed lifelong friendships, built my career, and discovered the importance of community service. My greatest interest has always been helping people, especially young people, discover what they’re capable of accomplishing.
For more than three decades, I’ve encouraged students to work hard, think independently, take responsibility, and learn from experience. Those are the same principles I would bring to service on the Board of Education.
I’ve had the opportunity to teach, mentor, develop educational programs, help secure investments in school facilities, and serve our community in numerous capacities.
I’m proud of that history, but I’m equally interested in the work that still needs to be done. Although I may no longer work for the district (after more years than almost all employees and board members), I have proven my commitment to our children and their families. Politics cannot interfere with that.
I don’t claim to have every answer. I do believe in doing my homework, listening carefully, and making decisions that can be explained and defended. After spending a lifetime assigning homework, it’s only fair that I’m willing to do some myself.
I’m running because Pennsauken has been my home for a lifetime, and I remain deeply invested in the future of its children and schools.
I’ve taught generations of Pennsauken students, including some of their parents. I’ve watched students struggle, overcome obstacles, graduate, establish careers, and become successful members of our community.
Those experiences have shaped my belief that educational decisions should always begin with one question: How will this benefit our students?
My candidacy is not about bringing back former administrators, removing current employees, settling personal disagreements, or pursuing political interests.
I believe school board members should evaluate proposals independently, ask meaningful questions, listen to educators and families, and make decisions based on facts and educational priorities.
I want to contribute my experience in education, program development, budgeting, and community leadership to those discussions.
My goal is to help Pennsauken build upon successful initiatives, address areas needing improvement, and maintain a school system that provides meaningful opportunities for every student.
What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
I believe Pennsauken faces three interconnected challenges.
Academic achievement and meaningful improvement. Standardized assessment results provide useful information, but the real challenge is translating that information into effective instruction, targeted interventions, and measurable student progress.
We need to recognize where students are struggling and provide practical support rather than continually collecting data without a clear plan for action.
Student behavior, school climate, and staff support. Students deserve safe, orderly, welcoming schools, and teachers deserve the administrative support necessary to maintain productive classrooms.
Consistent expectations, appropriate consequences, early intervention, and strong relationships are essential. Discipline and compassion are not opposing concepts; effective schools need both.
Public confidence and long-term educational planning. Families and taxpayers deserve transparency about district priorities, expenditures, staffing, and major educational initiatives.
We must protect the investments already made in STEM, career and technical education, special education, and school facilities while carefully evaluating future spending.
These challenges are not unique to Pennsauken, but our responses must reflect the needs of our own students, staff, and community.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
- Strengthening classroom instruction and supporting educators. I will advocate for targeted academic assistance, consistent behavioral expectations, meaningful professional development, and strong administrative support for teachers.
We should use assessment results alongside teacher observations, student work, and classroom performance to identify what students need and evaluate whether interventions are successful.
Our teachers need time, resources, and professional respect to do what they were trained to do: teach. Administrators need to be equally evaluated and accountable as their teaching counterparts.
- Protecting and expanding educational opportunities. I will focus on maintaining and strengthening STEM education, career and technical programs, special education services, and alternative pathways to graduation and employment.
I believe the district should communicate a clear long-term plan for Roosevelt STEM and related STEM initiatives.
Students should have access to opportunities in fields such as welding, HVAC, electrical trades, health sciences, public safety, and technology, as well as rigorous academic preparation for college.
Our responsibility is to prepare students for successful futures, even when those futures look very different from one another.
- Promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible spending. I will support careful examination of district expenditures, administrative staffing, outside consulting contracts, and major policy decisions.
The board must balance educational needs with its responsibility to taxpayers. Decisions should be explained clearly, supported by relevant evidence, and evaluated for their long-term impact.
I believe board members should ask questions, consider differing perspectives, and remain accountable to the entire community.
Jaclyn Hutton, 41 (Incumbent)
Commercial brokerage director Jaclyn Hutton is a married mother of two children and a Pennsauken native who claims a personal connection to the community and its schools.
Beyond her professional and board responsibilities, Hutton enjoys spending time with her family, community activities, walking, and visiting the beach.
What is your philosophy of education?
I believe every student deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success.
Every child learns differently, and our responsibility is to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities and those who require additional academic or behavioral support, have access to the services, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their potential.
Education should provide students with a strong academic foundation while also developing critical thinking, problem solving, confidence, independence and real-world skills.
Students have different strengths and needs, and our schools should offer opportunities for all learners, whether they pursue college, technical education, enter the workforce, or any other path they decide after graduation.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
As a lifelong Pennsauken community member, parent, and insurance professional with more than 20 years of leadership experience, I bring a strong foundation in accountability, strategic planning, and responsible decision-making.
Since my appointment to the Board of Education in 2024, I have served as Policy Committee Chair and participated in Business and Operations and Communications Committee work.
I believe effective board service requires asking questions, transparency, making sound decisions and holding ourselves accountable to ensure the best interests of our students, staff and taxpayers.
Why are you running for office?
Pennsauken is where I grew up, and where my family is building its future. I am running for re-election because I care deeply about our students, schools and the Pennsauken community.
Since joining the Board in 2024, I have learned a lot, and want to continue improving student achievement, supporting strong leadership, transparency, accountability and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Our schools are the heart of the community.
What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
I believe Pennsauken’s biggest challenges are improving academic achievement, ensuring our diverse student population receives the individualized support they need, and creating safe, supportive learning environments.
We must also invest in our teachers through professional development and meaningful career growth opportunities, while also modernizing our facilities to encourage creativity, accommodate different learning styles and prepare students for the future.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
- Student achievement
- Safe and Inclusive Schools
- Transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility
Matthew McDevitt, 66 (Incumbent)
Retired electrician Matthew McDevitt is a diehard Phillies fan who enjoys traveling the country with his wife to take in a baseball game.
McDevitt has previously served on the township Board of Education for 21 years.
What is your philosophy of education?
Education needs at least two prongs: a great teacher and involved parents.
Our schools offer advanced placement to career and technical education classes, and everything in between.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
I was a project manager for multimillion-dollar projects. I understand budgeting, leading, negotiations, and how to work well with others.
Why are you running for office?
I was a board member from 1995 to 2013. I was asked to run again three years ago. I like being involved in anything in this town, especially something as important as education.
What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
With the hire of a new superintendent, we are focusing on academic improvement, and expanding academic opportunities.
Another challenge is the New Jersey State funding formula. We have a hard time budgeting when it’s a mystery how much funding we will receive.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
Academic achievement, smart spending, and concentrating on STEM in our high school.
Nhuan Van, 38 (Challenger)
Nhuan Van works as a healthcare assistant at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, and has professional experience in behavioral healthcare, accounting, and business management.
Van is a frequent community volunteer, spending time with children at Cooper Hospital, serving meals to the homeless, and helping to organize community clean-ups.
He has served on the Pennsauken Environmental Commission, and held leadership roles in student organizations at Rutgers University – Camden.
In his free time, Van enjoys writing, learning about history and culture, and community service.
What is your philosophy of education?
My philosophy is simple: put children first. Every student deserves a safe, welcoming school, strong instruction, and the support needed to succeed.
Education should build academic skills while encouraging curiosity, responsibility, creativity, and respect for others. I believe schools are strongest when educators, families, and community members work together and recognize that students have different strengths and needs.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
As a Pennsauken High School and Rutgers-Camden graduate, I feel a personal connection to our community, and value the opportunities public education provides.
My experience in healthcare and behavioral health has taught me to listen carefully, respond calmly, and work with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
My accounting and management experience would help me assess budgets, ask informed questions, and promote responsible spending. I also served on the Pennsauken Environmental Commission and held leadership roles in Rutgers–Camden student organizations.
Together, these experiences have strengthened my ability to collaborate, organize projects, and serve a diverse community.
Why are you running for office?
I am running because I want to give back to the community that helped shape my life. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, feel supported, and prepare for a meaningful future.
I would bring a willingness to listen, study the evidence, and ask thoughtful questions. My goal is to support students and educators while ensuring board decisions reflect families’ needs and the responsible use of public resources.
What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
I believe the central challenges are meeting students’ different academic and emotional needs, maintaining safe and supportive schools, and balancing those responsibilities with limited resources.
Consistent attendance, family engagement, and support for educators are also essential to student success. As a board member, I would review district data and listen to students, families, and staff to identify where action is most needed.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
- Student achievement and opportunity: Support strong instruction, early academic assistance, and pathways that prepare students for college, careers, and skilled trades.
- Student well-being and school safety: Prioritize mental health support, bullying prevention, and school environments where students feel safe, respected, and connected.
- Responsible spending and public trust: Advocate for understandable budgets, careful oversight, and meaningful communication with families and community members.
