Oakland School Boards Face Contested Races as Incumbents Seek Reelection
The upcoming November general election in Oakland will feature some hotly contested races for seats on the elementary and high school boards. As the filing deadline passed, a mix of incumbents and newcomers threw their hats into the ring, setting the stage for potentially significant changes in the local education landscape.
In the borough’s elementary Board of Education race, Vice President John Scerbo and trustee Teresa Kilday are seeking reelection for their two full-term seats. However, they face competition from Robert Lascar, a newcomer who is campaigning under the slogan Education is Success. With three candidates vying for two seats, the race is bound to be closely watched.
The situation is similar for the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School board, where four candidates have filed to run for two of the three seats up for grabs. Trustee Vivian Yudin King is seeking a new term alongside running mate Amy Eilert. Notably, Oakland trustee and board President Judith Sullivan did not file to run for reelection. Instead, Melissa Kiel and Audrey Lynn Souders are aiming to secure the two available seats.
It is worth noting that while school board races are nonpartisan, it remains unclear if any of the newcomers are affiliated with the regional trend of parents’ rights candidates entering this year’s elections. Currently, Sullivan leads a group of five parents’ rights-oriented trustees who have initiated significant changes in policy, staff, finance, and programs over the last seven months. They recently postponed the renewal of the district’s Thrive mental health program, suggesting more changes could be on the horizon.
As the campaign trail heats up, candidates will have the opportunity to present their platforms and ideas to the community. The November election will not only determine the composition of the school boards but also shape the direction and policies of education in Oakland moving forward.
By providing a balanced view of the candidates and their agendas, the article aims to inform readers about the upcoming contests and generate dialogue about the future of education in the borough. With several newcomers vying for seats and incumbents seeking to hold onto their positions, voters will have much to consider when they cast their ballots. The November general election will undoubtedly be an important moment for the Oakland community and its schools.
