In a letter to the editor, Hoboken Board of Education trustees explain why they’re endorsing Laura Block and Tim Smith over two incumbents in the non-partisan November 4th school board race.
Dear Editor,
This November 4th Hoboken voters get to select from six candidates running for Board of Education.
Based on our own service, and a collective 41 years of board experience, we strongly believe Laura Block (1F) and Tim Smith (2F) are the best choices among the candidates for the Hoboken Board of Education.
Each of us have become individually acquainted with Laura and Tim through our own experiences as long-time Hoboken residents and proud public school parents.
They distinguish themselves by their clear and steadfast dedication to the betterment of our greater community and to public education.
They are committed to the promise of public schools as a place where all children can learn and thrive, both academically and as citizens that will go into the world understanding the value of diversity and empathy.
Their commitment is both deeply rooted and professional.
Laura Block, who holds a BA in History from Penn State and has an executive background at Audible and prior experience in New York politics (serving Senators Schumer and Clinton), brings strong analytical and governance skills.
Tim Smith, with a BA in Accounting and a professional career in NCAA athletics, offers fiscal insight and organizational leadership.
Their commitment is also personal and proven.
Both Laura and Tim are proud public school parents whose children have attended Hoboken Public Schools from Pre-K through High School.
Laura grew up seeing her mother fight for fair and equitable public education as a teacher and union president.
Tim has spent 18 years in Hoboken and consistently gives back, including serving on the Hoboken United board.
Laura and Tim are not seeking to impose political agendas; their singular purpose is to continue the progress of public education in Hoboken.
They are committed to upholding integrity, equity, and respectful collaboration, ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive. They are the ideal candidates to work cooperatively and move our entire District to the next level.
Please join us in casting your vote on November 4th for Laura Block (1F) and Tim Smith (2F).
Sharyn Angley, Malani Cademartori, Sheillah Dallara, Chetali Khanna, and Ailene McGuirk
Although each of the undersigned are current members of the Hoboken Board of Education, the above letter and statements therein are made in each of their capacities as private citizens and not in any of their respective capacities as board members.
These statements are also not representative of the board or its individual members, are not authorized by the board, and solely represent their own personal opinions. “
Cutting backroom endorsement deals with the likes of Mike Russo does not speak well for the integrity of these board members. I’m sure Block and Smith are good people, but it’s curious that these 5 Trustees would turn against the other BoE incumbent candidates who are honest, dedicated public servants, to run an opposing slate & strike deals with Mike Russo. These Trustees are a far cry from the original Reform BoE who swept corrupt board officials from the Hoboken District. Sad to see.
This duo is working with the other 5 to RAM the Hockey arena High school through again!
They have a wink and nod approval from both Emily Jabbour and slime ball Russo
Damn, that’s bottom of the barrel bad.
From the same, bad people who tried to shove a secret $241 Million new building down Hoboken’s throat with a hockey rink. How many black students from Jersey City want to play hockey?
Hoboken doesn’t want to be the next episode of The Sopranos. These people stink.
Sharyn Angley, Malani Cademartori, Sheillah Dallara, Chetali Khanna, and Ailene McGuirk claim to be “committed to integrity, equity, and respectful collaboration.” In practice, none of them held Superintendent Johnson accountable for lying for over a decade about having a doctorate. District test results continue to show Black and Hispanic students performing far below their White peers across K–12—so much for equity. Meanwhile, Ailene McGuirk and the Board spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars misleading the community by branding all district schools as “blue ribbon schools.” And all of them tried to push through a $330 bond referendum with minimal public input. These Board members have chosen public relations over real governance-
https://hudsoncountyview.com/hoboken-schools-superintendent-didnt-receive-doctorate-until-aug-22-records-show/
https://hobokencurriculumproject.blogspot.com/2025/05/latest-njdoe-data-shows-hoboken-black.html
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/09/parents-beware-this-is-blue-ribbon-fraud-editorial.html
When someone feels the need to write in their political campaign post that they don’t have a political agenda they do.
Remember these so called Trustees hid, lied about and tried to slip past the voters of Hoboken billon dollar construction protect that would have raised ready high taxes to the point of forcing out many.
Yes, this one doesn’t feel right – -more background maneuvering. Would love to ask these new candidates how they voted on the $241m referendum a few years back. We don’t get to ask those questions — we are just told to look the other way….. Today we march for Democracy — but a working democracy requires transparency at all levels of govenment…..long gone…..
Lyin’, cheatin’, self-serving. This private club yields power so they can pick the “right” teachers for their kids. It’s been happening for years, and this crew has perfected it.