In what many seen as a foreshadowing of next May’s municipal elections in West New York, Adrienne Kole-Sires, with more than 3,035 votes, led her ticket to victory in the school board election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Kole-Sires’ running mates Jonathan Castaneda, with 2,754, and Joseph F. Rodriguez, with 2,744, won three-year terms as well. The ticket won from a field of nine candidates.
More importantly, some believe the victory paves the way for a municipal ticket backed by Kole-Sires’ husband — Rep. Albio Sires — in next May’s mayor/commission election in an effort to unseat Mayor Felix Roque.
Who they are
Both Kole-Sires and Rodriguez have previously served on the board. Kole-Sires is a former board president. She was a French teacher at Memorial High School and has 37 years of experience in the district. During her time at West New York schools, Kole-Sires was instrumental in implementing the Early Childhood program for 3- and 4-year-olds in town.
The three ran on a ticket called “Your Children’s Future.”
Rodriguez, who is the husband of freeholder Caridad Rodriguez, played a crucial role in acquiring the former St. Joseph of The Palisades High School, which today is the West New York Freshman Academy. He is a former chair of the West New York Housing Authority.
Castaneda serves as a delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association.
Prior to the election, Kole-Sires told The West New York Reporter that she thought it was time to return and that she saw a need for a more active and progressive board.
The three beat candidates backed by Mayor Roque, which may hint at an unfavorable outcome when Roque is up for re-election in May of 2019. In West New York’s form of government, a slate of commissioners runs for five seats, and they choose a mayor from among them.
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