Gloucester native Elisa Nelson is seeking reelection to her York district seat on the Gloucester County School Board. She was first appointed to the board in 2017 to fill an unexpired term and successfully sought election to the seat in November of that year.
Nelson, 43, is a graduate of Gloucester High School and has been a licensed insurance agent for 24 years. She owns an insurance agency in Hayes where she works with her husband, Keith. The couple has two daughters who attended Gloucester County Public Schools and currently attend the University of Mary Washington.
Nelson has served as vice chairman of the school board since 2020 and has served on its disciplinary committee since 2018. She is also the school division’s representative to the Board of Trustees of the New Horizons Regional Education Center and was recently elected vice chairman of that board, effective Sept. 1.
“I am especially excited for this new role because I am a huge advocate for student career and technical education programs offered at GHS and through our partnership with New Horizons. Between these two locations, students have over 30 career paths and industry certifications to study and complete. I love seeing students graduate with industry certifications who are ready to enter the workforce upon graduation,” Nelson said.
“We have wonderful, fully accredited schools here in Gloucester filled with tremendous staff who care deeply about our students, families and this community. The school division has made great academic strides over the last several years, and we need to focus on continuing that success as we continue to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
and beyond.”
“We also have major capital improvement projects underway or upcoming, including the GHS renovation, which I would like to see through to completion,” she said.
Nelson also said she would continue being a responsible financial steward of taxpayer’s money, ensuring a fiscally responsible budget. “I have a fair, consistent voting history on the board and I listen to my constituents and parents in the York district. I am available and responsive, honest, and experienced. I have always been extremely passionate and I genuinely care about our children, families and school division.”