Board Members

Scott Miller is a lifelong Dover resident. He is a 1981 graduate of Dover Public Schools along with his wife Judy (1978), his son Jeff (2014) and his daughter in-law Sandra (2013). He graduated from the County College of Morris (CCM) with an Associate of Science degree in Computer Science.In addition to his degree from CCM, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He later obtained his Master of Science in Computer Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

Scott is currently the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal. He has served on a number of Dover committees and volunteer groups. He is a former 1st Ward Alderman. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Dover Planning Board, Scoutmaster for Dover Boy Scout Troop 64 and Dover Historical Society Trustee. He recently was elected to serve for another 3-year term on the Dover Board of Education. At the conclusion of this new term, Scott will have served 20 years on the Dover Board of Education.

Kim Philips has lived in Dover since 2005 with her husband, Fred, and their two children, Jordan (DHS Class of 2019) and Faith (DHS Class of 2025).  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management from Upsala College, followed by a Master’s in Business Management from Centenary University.  Professionally, Kim works as a paralegal for a waste collection and recycling company. 

Throughout her time in Dover, Kim has been actively engaged in the local community.  She has served as a Girl Scout troop leader and was a dedicated member of the East Dover PTA, including two years as president.  Kim has volunteered in various recreational sports programs, including football, cheerleading, Little League and track.  Currently, she and her husband run the Dover Recreation Basketball program. 

In her free time, Kim loves cheering on her beloved Dover Tigers in a variety of sports.

Debora Acevedo has lived in Dover since 1981 and attended East Dover Elementary, Dover Middle School and graduated from Dover High School (Class of 1987).  She earned a BA in Spanish from Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ and an MA in Education from Gratz College in Pennsylvania. She and her husband are parents to two adult sons. Debbie has been an educator for the past 18 years, starting her teaching career at Boonton High School in 2006.

Born and raised in Virginia, T.C. McCourt has called New Jersey home since 2014 and has lived in Dover with his husband, Bryan, since 2018. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (B.A., Political Science) and Arkansas State University (Master of Public Administration), T.C. dedicates as much of his free time as possible to giving back.

Before his election to the Board of Education in 2024, T.C. served on the Dover Planning Board (2018-2021) and the district's Citizen Advisory Committee (2023-2024).  He also served on the Dover Zoning Board of Adjustment from 2022 to 2023 and again from 2024 to 2026.

Outside of Dover, he has served on the Morris County Heritage Commission (2020-2022) and, in January 2024, was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate to a seat on the New Jersey Historical Commission. T.C. has served on the Board of Directors of New Jersey Planning Officials since February of 2021 and is currently in his third term as the organization's President.

He currently serves on the Finance & Facilities and Policy committees, and previously served on the Governance and Community Relations committees.

Victoria Pinales, has been a Dover resident since emigrating as a child in 2000. She attended Dover High School (Class of 2003) and earned a Psychology degree from Rutgers State University. Victoria is the daughter of a teacher and mother to Anaia (Class of 2034). She is employed by a Dover-based Public Health Non-profit organization. Her professional dedication focuses on empowering individuals who have needed support, much like herself. Stemming from her familial ties to educators, Victoria holds education in high regard. Her unique perspective as a family worker strengthens her ability to bridge gaps between schools and social services, ensuring that students holistics needs are met. She actively contributes to community endeavors, volunteering and collaborating with Educational Organizations and nonprofit entities.

Dr. Krista Seanor has been a member of the Dover Board of Education since 2018. Krista, her husband Adam, and their two daughters, Maggie (class of 2021) and Amelia (class of 2025) have been residents of Dover for 20 years. Krista has been a high school Science teacher for 24 years, serving 11 of them at Dover High School.  Krista received both her B.A. in Biology and her Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and earned 40 master’s level credits in education from Cleveland State University.  As a member of the Dover Board of Education, Krista has served on numerous committees; chaired Policy, Finance and Facilities, and Student Achievement and Curriculum; and served as Vice-President (2020-2021) and President (2022).  Through her attendance at many training opportunities, Krista has been certified by the New Jersey School Board Association as a Master Board Member.  Krista has also served Dover as a Trustee of the Dover Free Public Library, a member of all three elementary schools’ PTAs, and a DHS Band Booster.

Helena “Lena” Scates and her husband, Cedric, have proudly called Dover home since 1999. They are the parents of three children: Tyirah (Morris Knolls High School, Class of 2016), Marcus (DHS Class of 2023), and Jayla, a freshman who will graduate with the DHS Class of 2029.

Lena holds an Honors Certification in Medical Assistance and Project Management and currently works as an Assistant Director in the pharmaceutical industry.

A longtime and deeply committed member of the Dover community, Lena has been actively involved in local schools for many years. She has served on the East Dover, Academy Street, and Dover Middle School PTAs, where she is known for her consistent presence, positive energy, and unwavering support of students and families. Many in the community affectionately refer to her as “Momma Bear,” a nickname that reflects her nurturing spirit and fierce advocacy for children.

In her free time, Lena can often be found in the stands cheering on Jayla at her tri-athlete events or enthusiastically supporting Dover students at games, meets, and community events - even when her own child is not on the court or field. Whether with pom-poms or a megaphone in hand, Lena is passionate about making sure every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

As a longtime Dover parent and community volunteer, Lena is committed to serving all students and helping Dover’s schools continue to grow and thrive.

Susan Shauer has been a resident of Dover since 1996. She, along with her husband Bill and their children, fell in love with the town and its warm community. Prior to their move, they became parents through the Foster Care Adoption program in New York City in 1994. In order to dedicate herself to her family, Susan made the significant decision to leave her career in Construction Management and focus on raising her children: Jennifer (DHS Class of 2010), Richard (DHS Class of 2012), and Colleen (DHS Class of 2014).

As a committed stay-at-home mom, Susan actively engaged in her children’s educational experiences. She readily volunteered wherever support was needed, taking on roles such as Class Parent, PTA member, and Booster Parent. Through these positions, she fostered connections with fellow parents, teachers, and staff, all striving together for the benefit of the students.

Susan began attending Board of Education (BOE) meetings in 1996. Her dedication caught the attention of then Superintendent Fisher, who invited her to assist in writing the newly updated "Parents Handbook for Students with Disabilities." Following the successful adoption of this manual, she expressed her interest in contributing further by submitting a letter to fill an open seat on the BOE, leading to her appointment in 2003.

Throughout her tenure, Susan has run for and been re-elected four times to the BOE, serving on every committee during her 15 years of service. She was honored to lead as President for 12 consecutive terms, leaving a lasting impact on the Dover Board of Education and the community it serves.

Maria Solines has been a dedicated resident of Dover since 2004 and is deeply connected to her community. After graduating from Dover High School (Class of 2012), Maria continued her academic journey at Montclair State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She now works at a local nonprofit, where she channels her passion for service into supporting community programs and initiatives. Maria enjoys engaging with community members, participating in local events, and exploring ways to make Dover a better place for all. Her deep-rooted love for her hometown continues to inspire her efforts in making a positive impact every day.