For the first time in his 15 years as mayor, Mike Gonnelli has taken the rare step of endorsing candidates for the Secaucus Board of Education (BOE).
Usually, Gonnelli prefers to stay out of these races, but this year is different.
With the election fast approaching on November 5, 2024, Gonnelli has decided to publicly support three candidates: Gerald Lyons, Tatiana Geller, and Melissa Howard.
So, why now? Why break the silence after all this time? Well, the mayor feels the school district desperately needs new leadership to address the issues that have piled up over the years.
- Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli has endorsed school board candidates for the first time, backing Gerald Lyons, Tatiana Geller, and current board member Melissa Howard.
- Gerald Lyons has a decade of school board experience in Jersey City, and Tatiana Geller brings expertise in working with special-needs kids. Melissa Howard seeks re-election with a focus on improving education.
- Mayor Gonnelli says the school district is in trouble—citing leadership turnover and financial issues—and believes these candidates can fix things.
“The District Needs a Change”: Gonnelli’s Call for New Leadership
Gonnelli’s decision to endorse candidates didn’t come out of the blue. He’s seen enough problems in the district to push him into action.
In his own words, “The school district needs a change.” And he’s right.
Over the past seven years, the district has cycled through six different superintendents, and they all continued to be paid even when they weren’t working.
Understandably, that kind of turnover and financial waste has frustrated many, including Gonnelli himself.
His tipping point came with a string of missteps by the BOE. Earlier this year, a controversial re-districting plan upset families by shifting hundreds of students between schools.
Then, the district embarrassed itself by having to cancel a promised full-day Pre-K program due to lack of funding.
It was even worse since Governor Murphy had visited Secaucus to celebrate the program’s launch.
In addition, the BOE quietly suspended Superintendent Erick Alfonso while still paying his $180,000 annual salary—and never explained why.
Given all these problems, Gonnelli felt it was time for some fresh faces to step up and lead the district in a new direction.
Meet the Candidates: Who Gonnelli Endorsed and Why
Now that Mayor Gonnelli has made his historic endorsement, let’s take a closer look at the candidates he’s backing and why they caught his attention.
1. Gerald Lyons: A School Board Veteran with a Fresh Perspective
Of the three candidates Gonnelli is backing, Gerald Lyons brings the most experience to the table.
Although Lyons only recently moved to Secaucus from Jersey City, his resume is impressive.
In fact, he spent almost a decade on the Jersey City school board, even serving as its president.
Additionally, he’s been a public high school teacher and the principal of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, which is now based in Secaucus.
But here’s the interesting part: Gonnelli himself actually asked Lyons to run.
“Once I looked at his resume, I asked him to run,” Gonnelli explained.
Though Lyons is a newcomer in town, Gonnelli believes his deep understanding of education and leadership makes him the perfect candidate to help the district.
“He taught in Secaucus, he knows the town and the school system. He really is the best candidate,” Gonnelli added.
Lyons might not be a household name yet, but with the mayor’s support, he’s gaining some serious momentum.
2. Tatiana Geller: A Champion for Special Needs Education
Next on Gonnelli’s list is Tatiana Geller, a speech pathologist who specializes in working with special-needs kids.
She’s another new face in town, and her background differs from what you usually see on a school board.
Geller came to Gonnelli’s attention through Councilwoman Orietta Tringali, who thought she’d be a great fit for the Board.
And after checking out her resume, Gonnelli was on board, too.
“She has a lot of experience working with special-needs kids,” Gonnelli said.
He’s confident that Geller can bring a much-needed perspective to the Board, especially when it comes to helping students who need extra support.
Though Geller, like Lyons, is relatively unknown in Secaucus, the mayor is working hard to introduce her to the community.
Essentially, he knows their lack of familiarity in town could be a challenge, but he’s optimistic about their potential to win people over.
3. Melissa Howard: A Proven Advocate for Education
Rounding out Gonnelli’s trio of endorsements is Melissa Howard, the only incumbent candidate he’s backing.
Regarding her experience, Howard has been a Board of Education member and is running for re-election.
Her slogan, “Advocate for Education,” captures her mission, and Gonnelli sees her as someone who can keep pushing for improvements in the district.
“I think Howard could be a very good Board member,” Gonnelli said, praising her dedication to the job.
Other Candidates Running For The School Board Election
In addition to the mayor’s picks, several other candidates are running for the Secaucus school board election.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Valerie Giraldo and Audry Yule run together under the “Community Winning Resolutions” platform. Yule ran for the BOE in 2021 but didn’t win a seat.
- Jamie Fisher, running under “The People’s Voice.”
- Monica Berckes, representing “A Winning District.” She previously ran for the board in 2022 but wasn’t elected.
While all these candidates bring different ideas and backgrounds, it’s clear that Gonnelli’s picks—Lyons, Geller, and Howard—have caught the most attention.
What’s at Stake on November 5?
As Secaucus approaches its Board of Education election on November 5, 2024—coinciding with the U.S. presidential election—voters face an important choice.
With three seats up for grabs and three-year terms at stake, this election holds significant weight, especially with Mayor Gonnelli’s first-ever public endorsement of school board candidates.
The message is clear: Secaucus schools need strong, capable leadership to navigate ongoing challenges and ensure a better future for students.
By backing Gerald Lyons, Tatiana Geller, and Melissa Howard, Mayor Gonnelli believes these candidates have the experience and vision to stabilize and guide the district forward.
In a nutshell, this election is an opportunity to shape the future of education in Secaucus.
Now, the town’s voters can bring meaningful change to the school system and set a new direction for years to come.
At this critical moment, the path forward starts at the ballot box, and the outcome could define the future of Secaucus schools.
