This year, seven passionate people are running for three open seats on the Secaucus School Board.
Each one has ideas and plans to help shape the future of our schools and improve the lives of students, teachers, and families.
They all have different views on how to solve some of the district’s challenges, like finding strong leadership, supporting special education, keeping great teachers, and planning for future growth.
With so many different voices, Secaucus residents need to know what each candidate stands for before voting.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide, giving you a closer look at each candidate’s background, experience, and thoughts on the important issues that matter to our community.
With Election Day approaching, please take a moment to get to know the people who want to make a difference in our schools!
- Seven candidates compete for three spots on the Secaucus School Board, each offering different backgrounds and ideas to improve the district.
- The election is set for November 5, with early voting available from October 26 to November 3 at the Secaucus Rec Center for those who want to vote ahead of time.
- Candidates focus on important issues like redistricting, improving special education, keeping skilled staff, and planning for the district’s future growth and success.
1. Melissa Howard: “Advocate for Education”
Melissa Howard, 39, is a current member of the Secaucus School Board and is running for another term.
She has lived in Secaucus since she was nine and has a fourth-grade child at Clarendon School.
Melissa has a strong background in managing public finances and is the treasurer for Bergen County.
She believes steady leadership is essential, especially when choosing a superintendent who will focus on the district’s future success.
One of her main concerns is keeping skilled teachers, as nearby districts with higher pay can attract them away.
Her goal is to strike the right balance in the budget, ensuring the district gets what it needs without putting extra pressure on taxpayers.
And she supports the idea of redistricting but thinks it should be done slowly and thoughtfully.
She believes this could create better learning opportunities, like offering advanced programs such as STEM in both elementary schools.
At the same time, she wants to make sure the needs of special-needs students are met and that families understand any changes.
Melissa sees the district’s main challenges over the next 2-5 years as managing the budget, keeping qualified teachers, and finding the right balance between technology and traditional teaching.
She believes in using digital and printed materials to support different learning needs.
2. Tatiana Geller: “Excellence in Education”
Tatiana Geller has lived in Secaucus for 24 years.
She has experience in speech and language therapy and works in Jersey City Public Schools.
Her kids went to Secaucus public schools, so she understands what students, parents, and teachers need.
Tatiana’s main goals are to improve special education, ensure the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and provide more support to teachers.
She also wants to expand academic programs, including adding a Humanities Academy at the high school and the existing STEM Academy.
Although this is her first time running for public office, she is committed to looking at data and getting feedback before making big decisions, like changing school district boundaries.
She is open to redistricting but wants to carefully review data and hear from the community before making any choices.
Tatiana wants to consider all possible effects on students and staff, like costs and class sizes.
She believes it’s important to hire a forward-thinking superintendent and improve communication between the board and parents.
She also thinks the district needs more staff and space to handle the growing number of students, including those from new housing developments and the rise in ESL (English as a Second Language) students.
3. Valerie Giraldo: “Community Winning Resolutions”
Valerie Giraldo has lived in Secaucus since 2002.
She has almost 20 years of experience working in compliance for investment banks and is now a senior compliance officer.
Her kids went to Secaucus schools, so she understands the district’s needs.
Valerie wants the board to use data when making decisions, especially for hiring a superintendent and considering big changes like adjusting school boundaries.
She believes that more stakeholders, including teachers and principals, should be involved in decision-making.
Valerie is against the redistricting plan suggested earlier this year because she doesn’t think there is enough evidence that it would help.
While she is open to redistricting in the future, she believes it should be based on detailed data and community feedback.
She also thinks the district needs more space and staff to handle the growing number of students.
Valerie is concerned about the need for a Pre-K program and how well the district can support the rising number of ESL (English as a Second Language) students.
4. Audry Yule: “Community Winning Resolutions”
Audry Yule has been a part of the Secaucus community since 2014.
She holds an M.B.A. and has experience in marketing and business development.
She has also volunteered in local youth sports and parent-teacher groups.
Audry is dedicated to improving communication between the school board and parents, believing that open and clear communication is key to building trust and making sure families feel heard.
She wants to find a strong leader for the superintendent role and address the needs of special education students.
Audry thinks redistricting could help, but only if the district first deals with concerns like traffic, busing, and costs.
She believes detailed reports on these issues are necessary before making any decisions.
Audry sees the lack of a permanent superintendent as the biggest issue right now.
She is also concerned about the impact of new developments on the district and advocates for improved ESL support.
5. Jamie Fisher: “The People’s Voice”
Jamie Fisher, 43, is a registered nurse who has lived in Secaucus for most of her life.
She has worked as a school nurse and in emergency rooms. Jamie has two children who went to Secaucus schools and is expecting her third.
She wants to bring back core learning values, with less focus on technology in classrooms and more on traditional methods like reading physical books.
Jamie also believes in providing more support for teachers and special education staff to ensure all students get the help they need.
She thinks redistricting should be carefully planned and include lots of input from parents and the community.
While she’s not against the idea, she feels that the current plan doesn’t have enough information or community involvement.
Jamie sees the town’s growing population as the biggest challenge, which could lead to overcrowded schools and limited resources.
She believes the district needs to plan ahead for more students and focus on managing resources effectively to meet future needs.
6. Gerald Lyons: “Excellence in Education”
Gerald Lyons, 65, has been a teacher for 38 years and has served on the Jersey City Board of Education.
He recently moved to Secaucus and wants to use his experience in school administration to help the local school board.
Gerald believes it’s essential to be open and listen to the community when making decisions.
He supports holding regular meetings to hear from parents before making big changes.
Gerald also wants to expand student opportunities by offering more dual-enrollment college courses.
While he’s open to redistricting, he thinks it should be based on thorough research and include input from the community.
He believes any decision should be based on data, logistics, and the best interests of students, especially those in special education.
Gerald sees special education, managing space, and keeping good staff as major priorities.
He also thinks it’s important for the district to actively apply for grants to support growth and improvements.
For the first time in 15 years as mayor, Mike Gonnelli has endorsed Gerald, Tatiana Geller, and Melissa Howard for the school board.
7. Monica Berckes: “A Winning District”
Monica Berckes has lived in Secaucus for over 25 years.
She worked as a senior director at a marketing agency, where she developed strong skills in project planning and management.
She has two children in the district and cares deeply about the community.
Monica wants the school board to be forward-thinking, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.
She stresses the importance of stable leadership and setting yearly goals that align with the district’s vision.
Monica is especially concerned about the constant turnover of superintendents and thinks that stable leadership is essential for the district’s success.
She does not support the redistricting plan that was proposed last year, feeling it was rushed and lacked clear benefits for the community.
However, she’s open to future redistricting efforts if they are well-researched and have strong community support.
Monica worries about the district’s ranking and how it might affect property values in Secaucus.
She believes that staff retention and long-term planning need to be addressed to benefit students and homeowners.
Monica is committed to helping create a district that families can be proud of.
Upcoming Events and How You Can Vote
You can catch the candidates at a forum on October 24 at the high school Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Don Evanson, who publishes the Secaucus Spectator, will lead the event, which will be recorded in case you can’t attend in person.
And Election Day is on November 5.
If you prefer to vote early, you can do so in person from October 26 to November 3 at the Secaucus Recreation Center.
The voting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
No appointments are needed, and you can also vote by mail if that’s more convenient for you.
Make an Informed Choice for Secaucus Schools
Secaucus voters have some critical choices this year, and many passionate and qualified candidates are running.
As we discussed today, each candidate has a different plan for the school district’s future, whether it’s improving communication, expanding special education, or building long-term stability.
We hope this guide provides you with the information you need to choose the candidates who best match your vision for our schools.
Be sure to cast your vote and make your voice heard in shaping the future of education in Secaucus!
