Updated: 1 minute ago
By Barbara A. Preston | September 2, 2025
Six candidates are running for three seats on the Montgomery Board of Education, which also represents the independent little borough of Rocky Hill, in the general election set for Tuesday November 4, 2025.
The terms of board members Joanna Filak, Ania Wolecka-Jernigan, and Michelle Dowling will expire the end of this year. Dowling told The Montgomery News that she will not seek another term. She did not give a reason why.
Top (from left) Julius A. Nunez, Francine Pfeffer, and Kathryn Worland are running together on Slate 1, "Excellence in Education." Bottom (from left) Joanna Filak, Jiying “Peter” Li, and Ania Wolecka-Jernigan are running on Slate 2, "Children First." The candidates appear above how they will appear on the ballot.
Incumbents Filak and Wolecka-Jernigan will each seek another term. They are running together on a platform with the slogan “Children First.” New candidate Jiying “Peter” Li of Grandview Road in Skillman will run on their ticket.
The other three candidates, who originally filed independently, now are running on a slate together. They include: Julius A. Nunez of Belle Mead; Francine Pfeffer of Skillman ;” and Rocky Hill resident Kathryn Worland, who also has lived in Montgomery. Their slogan is “Excellence in Education.”
The Montgomery News plans to write a more in-depth article on each candidate for the October print issue of the newspaper. Below are short introductions:
Nunez serves as a finance director at Medtech Central Finance Program. He is not quite an incumbent, but not entirely new either. The board briefly appointed Nunez in September to fill an unexpired position. The 3-month term expired in December 2024.
Why he is running? “As a father of three, I have a deep, personal investment in our schools. I will work to balance investing in our students’ success, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive while continuing a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
“My goal is to create an environment that maximizes learning opportunities and fosters intellectual curiosity, providing the best-in-class education that Montgomery is known for.” ■
Pfeffer serves as associate director of Government Relations at the New Jersey Education Association. She is a lobbyist, and has been since 2007.
Prior to that, she was a history teacher and school librarian, working in Brick and the Middlesex County Magnet Schools. She lives in Skillman with her son and husband.
Why is she running? “People move to Montgomery for our great public schools. As an educator and public education advocate, I understand the resources our schools need to be great.
"I decided to run for the board because I want to help restore a sense of harmony and cooperation on the board. Without that harmony, our schools will no longer be a place where our children grow and thrive.” ■
Worland’s work is entirely volunteer-based. She is co-president of the Montgomery Elementary Schools PTA; the co-president of the Montgomery Middle School PTO; the secretary of the Montgomery Basketball Association; the scheduler for the Montgomery Youth Lacrosse Club; and is an appointed voting member from Rocky Hill for the Montgomery + Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance.
She is a full-time parent with her husband to their two children, 2nd and 6th grades.
Why is she running? “I’m running for the Montgomery Board of Education because I’m a proud advocate for our schools, and I believe that investing in education for our students leads to continued success for those students and for the community as a whole.
"Education has been a lifelong passion of mine, and my experience in numerous volunteer organizations, in and around our schools, has given me a unique perspective as both a parent and someone with extensive “boots on the ground” involvement.” ■
Filak is a Certified Public Accountant (”CPA”) with experience in public audit. She works at Quantum Corporation as Director of Global Tax and Treasury at Quantum Corporation. Her husband is also a CPA. They have two sons.
She is running for her second 3-year term on the school board on the “Children First” slate, the same slogan as last time.
She serves on the following school board committee: APSMT Negotiations (chair); Human Resources Committee; New Jersey School Boards Association (voting member); and The Operations, Finances & Facilities Committee (chair).
Why is she running? “I am running for re-election to ensure strong oversight, transparent governance, and responsible use of resources. My priorities are safe schools, academic excellence, and fiscal accountability.
'I will work with fellow board members to attract and retain exceptional teachers, support sound leadership, and ensure every decision puts our CHILDREN FIRST.” ■
Wolecka-Jernigan has corporate experience in global supply chain, transformation, and strategic planning. She and her husband are parents to three children. She is running for her second 3-year term on the board.
Her committees on the board include: MTEA Negotiations (chair); Policy & Communications Committee (Chair: policy); Somerset County Educational Services (alternate); and the Somerset County School Boards Association (1st VP).
Why is she running? She says she is a strong advocate for transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in education, shaped by her experiences as an immigrant and community member. Wolecka-Jernigan adds that she represents a blend of professional acumen and grassroots dedication to putting children—and community—first in public education.
“School boards often benefit from members who understand the budget, curriculum processes, and state requirements. Reelection would allow me to use my experience for consistent, informed decision-making.” ■
Li is a metallurgist and currently is the engineering manager at Trident Maritime Systems LLC in High Bridge NJ.
Why is he running? "I am running for the Board of Education because I care deeply about our community, our schools, and every student. I want to ensure every decision we make is to put our children first. As a father of two children who have grown through our schools, I know how important it is to provide every child with the opportunities and support they need to succeed. I came to this country to pursue graduate studies in STEM, I believe in the power of higher education to open doors, transform lives, and shape futures.
"If elected, I will work with fellow board members, parents, teachers, and community leaders to use our resources wisely and transparently, to retain and attract outstanding teachers who inspire and challenge students, and to support each child in reaching their highest potential. I believe in our schools, our teachers, parents, and, above all, our children. Together, we can build excellent schools by always putting our Children First.
"I have been living in Skillman since 2/2010. Both my kids started at Kid Connection. My daughter graduated from our high school in 2023, and my son will be a junior in the coming September." ■
Learn more about the Slate 2 candidates at https://montychildrenfirst.com/f/how-we-perceive-and-define-student-success.
