Gerald Lyons, who has spent nearly ten years with the Jersey City Board of Education, wants to bring his expertise to Secaucus.
Lyons is officially running for a seat on the Secaucus school board, and he aims to continue his work in education in a new setting.
In this article, we’ll delve into what Lyons hopes to accomplish and how his background might shape his approach to the Secaucus school district.
- Gerald Lyons is running for a spot in the Secaucus school district after years of experience on the Jersey City Board of Education.
- Lyons led the Jersey City Board of Education during a tough time, showing strong leadership and a commitment to improving schools.
- He’s known for his dedication to fairness, open communication, and fighting for the needs of students and schools.
Gerald Lyons’ Commitment to Education
Gerald Lyons, a name well-known in Jersey City’s educational circles, is preparing for a new chapter in his long career.
After spending almost ten years on the Jersey City Board of Education, including time as its president, he’s now looking to bring his skills and experience to the Secaucus school district.
Lyons will be back on the ballot in November after a two-year break, showing that his passion for helping schools and students remains strong.
Gerald Lyons’ Leadership in Jersey City Board of Education
Gerald Lyons made a big difference during his time on the Jersey City Board of Education.
He was elected board president in January 2022, and he immediately had to deal with serious disagreements among board members.
One of the biggest issues was choosing an interim superintendent, which created a lot of tension on the board.
Despite these challenges, Lyons, who won the presidency by a narrow 5-to-4 vote, stepped up to lead the board through this challenging time.
Lyons, one of the first openly gay board presidents in Jersey City, also advocated for diversity and inclusion.
In 2020, when there was a lot of talk about adding LGBT topics to the curriculum, Lyons showed his support by wearing an LGBT flag armband at meetings. Commendably, his actions reflected his belief that all students should feel welcome and respected in their schools.
The disagreements within the board, especially about the interim superintendent, showed just how important good leadership is.
Lyons was right in the middle, helping guide the discussions and trying to keep the board members working together – he clarified that he valued transparency and following the rules, especially when a resolution was introduced without proper discussion.
This resolution, which suggested making Deputy Superintendent Norma Fernandez the acting superintendent, led to a heated debate.
Lyons and his supporters wanted to make sure the decision was made carefully and with complete board discussion.
Gerald Lyons’ Advocacy Beyond the Presidency
Gerald Lyons has always been more than a board member – a passionate advocate for his community.
From pushing to allow public comments to be recorded at meetings to fighting for more openness in how the district makes decisions, Lyons has always stood up for what’s right.
He worked to improve school facilities, like removing old trailers and ensured the district communicated better with parents. This clearly shows his deep commitment to making schools better for everyone.
In a letter to the editor, Lyons strongly supported the “Children First” team for the upcoming Jersey City School Board election.
He talked about how he worked closely with candidates Gina Verdibello, Lorenzo Richardson, and Monique K. Andrews and how they all fought together to get more school resources, reduce overcrowding, and ensure the district was accountable.
Lyons’ support wasn’t just about backing friends; it was about ensuring the future of Jersey City’s schools was in good hands.
Now retired after a 34-year career with the Hudson County School of Technology, where he worked in many roles, including as a high school principal, Lyons is still very connected to the community he’s served for so long.
His decision to run for the Secaucus school district shows he’s still committed to improving education.
With his history of leadership, fairness, and hard work, Gerald Lyons is ready to continue making a positive impact in Secaucus.
