The “Leadership That Listens” Hoboken Board of Education slate is formally kicking off their campaign, announcing plans to strengthen academic outcomes, enhance engagement, and increase transparency.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“When most schools were fully remote during COVID, Hoboken’s public schools were ahead of the curve, giving each parent the choice of full-time in-person or remote learning” Trustee Alex De La Torre said in a statement.
“In-person learning was particularly important to those children that have difficulty learning remotely, and additional learning tools for students and teachers are necessary to continue to close students’ COVID-learning gaps.”
De La Torre, like his two running mates, is a district parent and has served on the board since being appointed in 2018. Additionally, he has been working in the financial planning an analysis field for 25 years.
“A strong, safe community starts with good public schools, and the district has made major strides resulting in a 26% percent increase in K-12 enrollment since 2014 and exceptional student achievement,” added Graña, who was the chair of Friends of the New Hoboken High School campaign account, which supported the vote yes effort in January.
“We need to build on this momentum and continue to improve our schools through prudent investment in our students and their teachers.”
Graña is also a veteran member of the local zoning board of adjustment, as well as an officer on the Connors Elementary School and Hoboken Middle School PTO. Furthermore, he has 25 year experience in the business management and governance field.
“As taxpayers and long-time residents, we believe the goals of improving academic outcomes and upgrading aging facilities need to be undertaken with fiscal responsibility and accountability,” Norwood stated.
“The January referendum process needed more transparency and community outreach; being good stewards of taxpayer money requires transparent plans for the District’s future.”
Norwood is a 24-year resident of the Mile Square City who is married with two children in Brandt Elementary School and has been a Hoboken Public Education Board member since 2017.
Additionally, she has volunteered for the Brandt Parent Consortium for Pre-K, Brandt PTO, and the Hoboken Special Needs Parent Advisory Group while working as a securities attorney and federal lobbyist focusing on infrastructure finance.
They will face off with the “Kids First” team, which consists of Pavel Sokolov, Cindy Wiegand, and Donna Magen, as well as independent candidates Patricia Waiters and John Madigan – a former BOE trustee.
All eight candidates will via for three, three-year terms in the non-partisan November 8th contest.