Jersey City Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise, a former board of education trustee, is backing the “Education Matters” school board slate in the non-partisan November 7th contest.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As a proud member of the union myself, I stand by the candidates that the JCEA has vetted and endorsed,” DeGise began in a statement.
“I’m proud to also endorse their 2023 candidates and believe their team will serve the Jersey City Board of Education, the city of Jersey City, and our entire school population with unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. I urge all Jersey City to come out and vote for Education Matters (Dr. George Blount 3D, Alpa Patel 4D, Dejon Morris 5D).”
DeGise was endorsed by the Jersey City Education Association and was the top vote getter in the November 2017 school board race, though she ended up resigning in February 2019, citing that she wanted to build the party while chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
Coincidentally, her successor, Trustee Gina Verdibello, who had the JCEA’s backing in 2019, is now on the other side of things, running as part of the “Children First” team with Trustee Lorenzo Richardson and Monique Andrews.
“Amy brings a unique perspective not only as Councilwoman but more importantly as an educator. Furthermore, her previous experience as an officer in her educational union is something we value as she shares the same pro-labor principles that our candidates hold dear,” the Education Matters added.
“As a former member of the Jersey City Board of Education, we feel she recognizes good qualities in individuals that would serve the district and the city well on the board and are proud that she feels our team meets those qualifications. Her work with career development at the Hudson County Schools of Technology and the time that she has volunteered preparing young people get into training programs for various trades through Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s Project Impact is what we as a team respect most about her …”
This marks the first endorsement for DeGise since a hit-and-run incident from July 2022, where she ended up receiving a one-year driver’s license suspension and a $5,000 fine.
As is stands today, the Education Matters team has also received endorsements from Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3), County Register Jeff Dublin, Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, and Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera.
Meanwhile, Children First has the backing of former Board President Gerald Lyons, ex-Trustee Marilyn Roman, also a former acting mayor, the Jersey City Para-Professional Association, and Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore.
That slate is comprised of Trustee Gina Verdibello, Trustee Lorenzo Richardson, and Monique Andrews.
Three independent candidates are also in the race for three, three-year terms: Renes Cruz, who was unceremoniously removed from the Education Matters team after failing to submit 10 valid signatures on the first try, “Sam” Sumit Salia, and Janette Scafidi.
I heard she’s also signed a 2-year contract to promote Push Bumpers, Bull Bars, and Fender Wraps with Dana Safety Supply.
Apparently someone from DSS saw the video of her sending the biker absolutely flying and immediately knew she was the type of spokesperson for them.
No one understands the benefits of Drivers Education more than Amy DeGise.
Continuing, Degise said she was pleased that Education Matters shared her total disinterest in runaway budgets and was confident that they would run over their competition without looking back.
She is a disgrace and doesn’t deserve to hold any office.