Progressive Democrat Issue 116: NEW JERSEY FOCUS: School Board
School board elections are among the most important...and most ignored elections there are. Democrats 2000 in New Jersey is focusing on the 2007 New Jersey School Board elections and I would like to highlight their candidates. I should note that if there are other Democrats running in these races I am happy to give them equal time since I am not endorsing one Democrat over another in this newsletter. But I am happy Democrats 2000 is doing this and I want to highlight their efforts. From Democrats 2000:
2007 School Board Candidates
On April 17 voters across the state will go to the polls to elect candidates running to serve on local and regional school boards.
According to the New Jersey School Board's Association:
School boards are unpaid, nonpartisan bodies responsible for ensuring accountability, effectiveness and efficiency in schools. They don't run the school district—that's the job of a superintendent. Rather, the school board works with the superintendent to set district goals. School boards annually evaluate their superintendents, oversee the school district budgets, approve curriculum, and represent the public in contract negotiations with labor unions.
School board members are part of a team that fosters community engagement, shapes education policy, and creates the framework for student achievement. Ultimately, the board serves as liaison between the community and the school district. The board communicates the needs of the schools to the public—but it also represents the community's wishes in shaping the future of the local school system.
For many young professionals, serving on their local school board is a first step into public service. Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Bill Pascrell and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein are just a few friends of Democrats 2000 that served at the school board level before beginning their ascent up the political ladder.
Democrats 2000 was established to help support the campaigns of young professionals running for public office, and, since 1992 our efforts have helped elect 55 candidates under the age of 40 at the local, county and state level.
We are proud that thanks to the support and generosity of our members, we can, for the first time, also focus resources on the campaigns of these outstanding young candidates that have taken on the challenge of launching a political campaign in pursuit of their desire to improve the educational opportunities for the children in their communities.
We hope that you will join us in supporting these candidates by making a contribution either directly to their campaigns or to Democrats 2000.
Andre Sayegh
Paterson Board of Education
Andre Sayegh, 32, is seeking reelection to the Paterson School Board. Andre was first elected to the board in 2004 and currently serves as the Board’s President. During his tenure on the Board, Andre has been instrumental in the District’s efforts to adopt a new curriculum to better meet the educational needs of the students served by Paterson’s schools. Upon reelection Andre looks forward to continuing to work with his colleagues on the Board, as well as the Administration, to fully implement this new curriculum and to take complete control of the school’s back from the State.
Contributions to Andre’s campaign can be made to Committee to Re-Elect Andre Sayeigh and sent to 215 Dundee Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07503
Francie Joseph-Keating
West Paterson Board of Education
After the birth of her first child, Francie Joseph-Keating, 37, made the choice to temporarily put my career as a practicing attorney on hold to devote my time and energy to the upbringing and education of my children. Since then, has played an active roll in both her children's education and her community. Francie looks forward to the support of Democrats 2000 and her election to the school board where she would like to work with their new Superintendent to continue to make the positive changes he has started.
Contributions to Francie's campaign can be made to Putting Kids First and sent to 80 Ridgeview Drive, West Paterson, NJ, 07424
Leanne Chamberlin
Hamilton Township Board of Education
Leanne Chamberlin, 35, is seeking election to the Hamilton Township Board of Education. Leanne, a teacher and a parent, believes that the incumbents her and running mates are running against have become more focused on using their office to benefit friends and family and instead of improving the educational opportunities available to Hamilton 's children.
Given the truncated campaigns school board candidates face, Leanne believes that the support of Democrats 2000 and its members would give her a greater opportunity to spread her message to voters throughout the Township.
Contributions to Leanne's campaign can be made to Chamberlin, Kaszimer and Lord for School Board and sent to 1943 Arena Drive, Hamilton, NJ, 08610
Lou Venezia
Bloomfield Board of Education
As a Bloomfield firefighter, Lou Venezia, 29, is no stranger to public service. Lou is seeking public office for the first time because he believes that as a Member of the Bloomfield Board of Education he can do even more to improve the community in which he lives and works.
Lou believes that the support of Democrats 2000 will play a critical role in his election and looks forward to continuing to work with our members to elect even more young professionals to public office at every level.
Contributions to Lou's campaign can be made to Committee to Elect Lou Venezia, 14 Clark Place, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
Richard Liguori
North Brunswick Board of Education
Richard Liguori, 34, is running for seat on the North Brunswick Board of Education. Richard is a product of the North Brunswick schools and currently serves as the Chairman of the township's Educational Foundation. Having attended North Brunswick's schools from kindergarten through high school, and moving on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Finance at Rutgers University, where he is currently pursuing an MBA, Richard's service to the Board will be a constant reminder of how much the Township's schools offer their children.
Together with his background in Finance, Richard believes that he will bring a unique perspective to the Board, especially during budget time, and is hopeful that voters will give him an opportunity to give back to his community.
Sam Yodice
West Paterson Board of Education
Sam Yodice, 25, currently runs a non-profit organization dedicated to serve the youth of West Paterson with organized sports programs as well as other activities. As a member of the school board Sam wants to advance into the educational aspect of our community and provide great opportunities through education and diversity.
As a young professional running for public office within his community Sam knows that it is not easy to put his name out there and open himself to the exposure being a candidate will bring him However he is comforted by the support of Democrats2000 and feels like he has a place to turn for advice, help and continued support.
Contributions to Sam's campaign can be made to Putting Our Kids First and sent to 6 Vernon Court, West Paterson, NJ 07424 .
Stuart Chaifetz
Cherry Hill Board of Education
Stuart Chaifetz, 39, is a first time candidate seeking election to the Board of Education in Cherry Hill . Stuart is running to preserve funding for special needs children by ensuring that cuts in high administration costs are considered before any dollars are taken out of the classroom.
Stuart is not running with a slate of candidates and believes that the support of grassroots organizations like Democrats 2000 will be the difference in this campaign.
Contributions to Stuart's campaign can be made to Chaifetz for the Board of Education and sent to 220 Dobson Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Lenny Cusumano
Passaic Valley Regional School Board
Lenny Cusumano Jr., 26 is running for a seat on the Passaic Valley High School Board of Education which serves students from Little Falls, Totowa and West Paterson. Lenny looks forward to bringing his experience as a teacher to the school board to play an even bigger role in supporting the education of the students served by the Passaic Valley BOE. As a young educator, Lenny believes that it is critical that school systems become better prepared and equipped to keep up with the latest technological trends so that students are prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Contributions to Lenny's campaign can be made to Putting Kids First and sent to P.O. Box 2200, West Paterson, 07424
Christian Estevez
Plainfield Board of Education
Born and raised in Plainfield , Christian Estevez, 33 has a strong record of community service at the state and local levels. He's a former Democrats 2000 Executive Board member and also holds leadership positions with the Plainfield Area YMCA and the Latino Leadership Alliance.
As the father of a child who attends Plainfield 's public schools, Christian is committed to making Plainfield a better city in which to grow and learn. Christian serves as the Education and Training Coordinator for the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University . He hopes that the experience he has acquired in these positions will allow him to more effectively serve on Plainfield 's Board of Education and reach his goals of building better schools while maintaining stable taxes.
Contributions to Christian's campaign can be made to Friends of Christian Estevez and sent to 1352 Murray Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, 07060
For more information or for easier ways to donate, please go here.
Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.
2007 School Board Candidates
On April 17 voters across the state will go to the polls to elect candidates running to serve on local and regional school boards.
According to the New Jersey School Board's Association:
School boards are unpaid, nonpartisan bodies responsible for ensuring accountability, effectiveness and efficiency in schools. They don't run the school district—that's the job of a superintendent. Rather, the school board works with the superintendent to set district goals. School boards annually evaluate their superintendents, oversee the school district budgets, approve curriculum, and represent the public in contract negotiations with labor unions.
School board members are part of a team that fosters community engagement, shapes education policy, and creates the framework for student achievement. Ultimately, the board serves as liaison between the community and the school district. The board communicates the needs of the schools to the public—but it also represents the community's wishes in shaping the future of the local school system.
For many young professionals, serving on their local school board is a first step into public service. Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Bill Pascrell and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein are just a few friends of Democrats 2000 that served at the school board level before beginning their ascent up the political ladder.
Democrats 2000 was established to help support the campaigns of young professionals running for public office, and, since 1992 our efforts have helped elect 55 candidates under the age of 40 at the local, county and state level.
We are proud that thanks to the support and generosity of our members, we can, for the first time, also focus resources on the campaigns of these outstanding young candidates that have taken on the challenge of launching a political campaign in pursuit of their desire to improve the educational opportunities for the children in their communities.
We hope that you will join us in supporting these candidates by making a contribution either directly to their campaigns or to Democrats 2000.
Andre Sayegh
Paterson Board of Education
Andre Sayegh, 32, is seeking reelection to the Paterson School Board. Andre was first elected to the board in 2004 and currently serves as the Board’s President. During his tenure on the Board, Andre has been instrumental in the District’s efforts to adopt a new curriculum to better meet the educational needs of the students served by Paterson’s schools. Upon reelection Andre looks forward to continuing to work with his colleagues on the Board, as well as the Administration, to fully implement this new curriculum and to take complete control of the school’s back from the State.
Contributions to Andre’s campaign can be made to Committee to Re-Elect Andre Sayeigh and sent to 215 Dundee Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07503
Francie Joseph-Keating
West Paterson Board of Education
After the birth of her first child, Francie Joseph-Keating, 37, made the choice to temporarily put my career as a practicing attorney on hold to devote my time and energy to the upbringing and education of my children. Since then, has played an active roll in both her children's education and her community. Francie looks forward to the support of Democrats 2000 and her election to the school board where she would like to work with their new Superintendent to continue to make the positive changes he has started.
Contributions to Francie's campaign can be made to Putting Kids First and sent to 80 Ridgeview Drive, West Paterson, NJ, 07424
Leanne Chamberlin
Hamilton Township Board of Education
Leanne Chamberlin, 35, is seeking election to the Hamilton Township Board of Education. Leanne, a teacher and a parent, believes that the incumbents her and running mates are running against have become more focused on using their office to benefit friends and family and instead of improving the educational opportunities available to Hamilton 's children.
Given the truncated campaigns school board candidates face, Leanne believes that the support of Democrats 2000 and its members would give her a greater opportunity to spread her message to voters throughout the Township.
Contributions to Leanne's campaign can be made to Chamberlin, Kaszimer and Lord for School Board and sent to 1943 Arena Drive, Hamilton, NJ, 08610
Lou Venezia
Bloomfield Board of Education
As a Bloomfield firefighter, Lou Venezia, 29, is no stranger to public service. Lou is seeking public office for the first time because he believes that as a Member of the Bloomfield Board of Education he can do even more to improve the community in which he lives and works.
Lou believes that the support of Democrats 2000 will play a critical role in his election and looks forward to continuing to work with our members to elect even more young professionals to public office at every level.
Contributions to Lou's campaign can be made to Committee to Elect Lou Venezia, 14 Clark Place, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
Richard Liguori
North Brunswick Board of Education
Richard Liguori, 34, is running for seat on the North Brunswick Board of Education. Richard is a product of the North Brunswick schools and currently serves as the Chairman of the township's Educational Foundation. Having attended North Brunswick's schools from kindergarten through high school, and moving on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Finance at Rutgers University, where he is currently pursuing an MBA, Richard's service to the Board will be a constant reminder of how much the Township's schools offer their children.
Together with his background in Finance, Richard believes that he will bring a unique perspective to the Board, especially during budget time, and is hopeful that voters will give him an opportunity to give back to his community.
Sam Yodice
West Paterson Board of Education
Sam Yodice, 25, currently runs a non-profit organization dedicated to serve the youth of West Paterson with organized sports programs as well as other activities. As a member of the school board Sam wants to advance into the educational aspect of our community and provide great opportunities through education and diversity.
As a young professional running for public office within his community Sam knows that it is not easy to put his name out there and open himself to the exposure being a candidate will bring him However he is comforted by the support of Democrats2000 and feels like he has a place to turn for advice, help and continued support.
Contributions to Sam's campaign can be made to Putting Our Kids First and sent to 6 Vernon Court, West Paterson, NJ 07424 .
Stuart Chaifetz
Cherry Hill Board of Education
Stuart Chaifetz, 39, is a first time candidate seeking election to the Board of Education in Cherry Hill . Stuart is running to preserve funding for special needs children by ensuring that cuts in high administration costs are considered before any dollars are taken out of the classroom.
Stuart is not running with a slate of candidates and believes that the support of grassroots organizations like Democrats 2000 will be the difference in this campaign.
Contributions to Stuart's campaign can be made to Chaifetz for the Board of Education and sent to 220 Dobson Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Lenny Cusumano
Passaic Valley Regional School Board
Lenny Cusumano Jr., 26 is running for a seat on the Passaic Valley High School Board of Education which serves students from Little Falls, Totowa and West Paterson. Lenny looks forward to bringing his experience as a teacher to the school board to play an even bigger role in supporting the education of the students served by the Passaic Valley BOE. As a young educator, Lenny believes that it is critical that school systems become better prepared and equipped to keep up with the latest technological trends so that students are prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Contributions to Lenny's campaign can be made to Putting Kids First and sent to P.O. Box 2200, West Paterson, 07424
Christian Estevez
Plainfield Board of Education
Born and raised in Plainfield , Christian Estevez, 33 has a strong record of community service at the state and local levels. He's a former Democrats 2000 Executive Board member and also holds leadership positions with the Plainfield Area YMCA and the Latino Leadership Alliance.
As the father of a child who attends Plainfield 's public schools, Christian is committed to making Plainfield a better city in which to grow and learn. Christian serves as the Education and Training Coordinator for the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University . He hopes that the experience he has acquired in these positions will allow him to more effectively serve on Plainfield 's Board of Education and reach his goals of building better schools while maintaining stable taxes.
Contributions to Christian's campaign can be made to Friends of Christian Estevez and sent to 1352 Murray Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, 07060
For more information or for easier ways to donate, please go here.
Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.
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