Three Seats Up for Grabs as Seven Candidates Enter Toms River Regional School Board Race

Three Seats Up for Grabs as Seven Candidates Enter Toms River Regional School Board Race

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The race for the Toms River Regional Board of Education is taking shape, with seven candidates competing for three open seats in the November election.

The available positions are three-year terms on the nine-member school board. Voters will choose three candidates to serve on the board beginning next term.

Among those seeking re-election are current Board President Ashley Lamb and Vice President James Capone. Lamb is campaigning for a third term on the board, while Capone is seeking another term after first being elected previously.

Board member Jennifer Howe, who was appointed to complete the remainder of the term left vacant after Paola Pascarella resigned in February, did not appear on the list of candidates who filed petitions with the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.

Also running is a three-candidate slate made up of Laura Picurro, Anthony Colucci, and Elizabeth Huber. The group is campaigning under the slogan “Finance, Education, Accountability,” highlighting the issues they say will guide their efforts if elected.

The November election will determine which candidates earn seats on the Toms River Regional Board of Education for the next three years.

Laura Picurro currently serves as the director of Human Services for Toms River Township, where she oversees operations at the township’s Senior Center.

Anthony Colucci previously ran for the Ward 1 seat on the Toms River Township Council in 2025, but was defeated by Robert Bianchini. He also serves as president of the Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association.

Elizabeth Huber is a first-time candidate who has not previously sought elected office.

Another candidate in the race is Gerald “Jerry” Nappi, who is running with the slogan “God, Country, Family.” According to his LinkedIn profile, Nappi serves as vice president of sales and business development at MicroTech.

The seventh candidate is Kristen Hanson, whose campaign slogan is “Educating Students Responsibly.” Hanson previously served as director of special services for Brick Township Schools and later as assistant superintendent for Ocean Township Schools before retiring two years ago. She currently works part time as interim director of student services for Rahway Public Schools.