Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), a declared candidate for Jersey City mayor, is endorsing the “Education Matters” board of education slate.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“For years, we’ve talked about the need for a coalition to challenge the politically motivated school funding formula that has severely impacted Jersey City, while smaller communities with higher incomes and fewer socioeconomic issues receive substantially more without any rhyme or reason,” O’Dea said in a statement.
“This has been something that has been a driving force in my campaign and a cause that I have pledged to fight for and Natalia [Ioffe], Ahmed [Kheir], and Melany [Cruz Burgos] are the team that can help put us on track to make this happen.”
He also commended Ioffe’s service on the board, Kheir’s commitment to STEM and athletic programs, and Cruz Burgos’ legal expertise, as well as her prior service on the Perth Amboy Board of Education.
“This team represents not only the future of our school district but also the bridge needed to restore the much needed collaboration between the city and the board of education and I will pledge my support in working together to achieve that partnership and to work together to share services where we can to ease the burden on our schools and more importantly to actively lobby Trenton and our legislators to provide Jersey City with the equitable funding that our children deserve,” O’Dea added.
His endorsement was completely expected, with the JCEA PAC coming out early to support his candidacy for mayor in January.
The non-partisan November 5th race also features Tia Rezabala and Matthew Schneider running under the “For Stronger Schools” banner, Sumit “Sam” Salia running under the slogan “Parents for Education,” and Miriam Tawfiles running as an independent with no slogan.
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