In November’s upcoming election, nine candidates have filed to run for three open seats on the Hackensack City Board of Education. However, it’s worth noting that only one incumbent board member is seeking reelection. Andrew Meehan, a teacher at a charter school in Essex County catering to at-risk youth, aims to secure a full three-year term on the board. Meehan was appointed to the board in June after former trustee Michael Oates stepped down. This election will bring about some changes, as current trustees Christopher Coleman and Anthony Rodriguez, both serving their first term since 2020, have decided not to run for reelection.
Meehan, a retired military officer who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, is running for a full term with the objective of elevating the quality of education for students, enabling them to be more competitive in the global job market.
Several candidates have formed alliances for the election. Kenneth Martin, Shivonnie Pringle, and Mark Stein are running together on the Hackensack Quality Education ticket. Stein, who previously served as a school trustee from 2009 to 2015 and on the City Council from 1989 to 2005, is primarily concerned about the academic performance of students. His focus lies in improving test scores and ensuring that students reach their full potential.
On the other hand, Susan Avallone, Yvette Irving, and Nancy Veloz have joined forces on the For Hackensack’s Future ticket. Irving, who previously ran as part of the same slate in 2019, returns with a collective vision for the betterment of Hackensack’s educational system.
Sophia Brown and Dana Martinez are also running as individual candidates without any slate affiliation.
The Hackensack school district serves approximately 5,400 students across Hackensack High School, Hackensack Middle School, and four elementary schools: Fairmount, Fanny Meyer Hillers, Jackson Avenue, and Nellie K. Parker.
State data for the 2021-2022 school year reveals that 32.3% of Hackensack students met or exceeded expectations on English language arts tests, in comparison to the statewide average of 49%. Similarly, in math, only 19.1% of students met or exceeded testing expectations, as opposed to the statewide average of 36%.
With the upcoming election, candidates will have the opportunity to address these academic challenges and propose strategies to enhance the overall quality of education for Hackensack students. The chosen candidates will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the school district and ensuring that students receive the education they deserve. As the election approaches, the community eagerly awaits to see how these candidates will address the educational improvements needed in Hackensack.
