Mrs. Betty L. Wright

I am a thirty eight (38) year veteran on the Southampton Township Board of Education.  I was the Board of Education President for twenty-three consecutive years (1992-2015) and was elected to serve as the Vice President in January 2022 until I was elected as President midyear,    and am the current President.

I have resided in Southampton Township for over fifty (50) years.  I have two (2) grown children that received their education in our excellent school system and have five (5) granddaughters. I retired as manager of Investors Bank in Vincentown, working at the same location for over thirty (30) years for six (6) different banks.

During my tenure on the Board of Education I provided leadership to assist the school district in successfully passing two critical bond referendums that provided for the construction of a new middle school and much needed facility upgrades to the other schools in the district. Also, during my tenure as Board President I played a critical role in helping to get the referendum passed for air conditioning in all three (3) schools and a generator which can be used by the community in case of emergencies.  In 2021, School #1 celebrated its One Hundredth Anniversary, I was excited to have served on the committee to showcase that celebration!

In addition to providing leadership to the Board of Education and community on the bond referendums, I also oversaw the implementation of several initiatives that have enhanced the academic program and campus security in the district. Some of these initiatives include a student recognition program at the beginning of monthly Board of Education meetings, full-day kindergarten, a world language program, creation of the instrumental music program, development of a summer enrichment program for students with special needs, development of a district-wide local area computer network, computer labs, the creation of curriculum director position, installation of district-wide security ID /access system, and creation of an academic foundation to enrich and supplement educational programming. In 2008, I had the distinct honor of being selected as the “Burlington County School Board Member of the Year.”   On the county level, I served as the treasurer for the Burlington County School Boards Association, for several years.

During my tenure as President of the BOE, the Southampton Township Academic Resources Foundation, or STAR was founded in 1999, I have served as an Ex-Officio representative since its inception.  The Foundation has gifted over $400,000 to the school district since it was formed, in the way of grants that the teachers apply for.  Funding from STAR is used to enrich and supplement educational programming in the district that is beyond those that can be funded via the school district’s budget.

Prior to my election to the Board of Education, I was a long-time member of the Southampton Township Parents Teachers Association (PTA). During that time I served as the chairperson on numerous committee’s, from 1980 to 1983, I served as President.  I was rewarded for my many years of service and dedication by being awarded a lifetime membership to PTA.  Further, I served the community by being a member on the Southampton Township Business Association (STBA).  I was a board member and chaired several committees including the Southampton Township 30th Anniversary Logo Contest which involved having Southampton Township middle school students draw a logo for the STBA. 

On August 26, 2013, I was honored for my work and dedication to the Southampton Township School District by renaming the Administration Building located at 177 Main Street, to the Betty L. Wright Administration Building. Mayor James Young declared August 26, 2013 as the "Betty L. Wright Day!" 

I was recognized as a Master Board of Education Member by the New Jersey School Board Association in May 2014 and a Certified Board Leader on 2019.

In July 2012, I was recognized as the “2012 Southampton Township Volunteer of the Year” at the Pine Barrens Festival.

I have been a long-time and active member of the Buddtown United Methodist Church, where I serve as Chair of our Church Council, a Trustee, Choir Director and where many other hats.  

I am the President of the Pinelands Young at Heart Senior Group.  

On a personal level, my interests include traveling, spending time with my family and friends, gardening, cake decorating, reading and playing the marimba at church.