Belleville School Board Candidates Asked To Take Ethics Pledge

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Frank Fleischman says he isn’t asking much of Belleville’s 2023 school board candidates: “increase opportunities for public input … stay informed about issues in the community that may affect the schools … explain their votes on key issues … uphold exemplary ethical standards.” And that’s the pledge that he and the Belleville Watch blog are asking them to take as the November election creeps around the bend.

On Thursday, Belleville Watch announced that it has sent copies of its “Board of Education Candidate Pledge” to this year’s candidates.

“Unfortunately, Belleville has a bad political reputation, resulting in apathy among residents and an understandable mistrust of local officials,” said Fleischman, lead editor of the blog.

“I’m hopeful candidates’ willingness to sign this pledge – which consists of practical, common-sense commitments – will help to chip away at that reputation,” Fleischman said.

Fleischman says the pledge was written based on feedback and complaints he’s received from Belleville residents over the years. It includes the following stipulations:

• “To remember I am accountable to the Belleville community and its residents, who have placed their trust in me.”
• “To encourage all Belleville residents – parents, taxpayers, senior citizens, property owners, renters and, when appropriate, students – to attend Board of Education meetings.”
• “To strive to provide as many opportunities for public input on school district matters as reasonably possible.”
• “To explain my vote on key issues, or reasons why I abstain from a vote, unless doing so would violate confidentiality or would disclose personal details.”
• “To serve out my full term as school board trustee, and not to run for Mayor or Town Council until my term is complete.”
• “To stay informed of issues in the Belleville community and how they may impact the school district.”
• “If I seek another term as trustee, I will be prepared to describe specifically what I have done during my term to deserve re-election.”
• “To remember that I am a trustee of a public school system, thereby committing myself to strengthening Belleville’s public schools and academics.”
• “To avoid even the mere appearance of impropriety in my public conduct and decisions, and to hold myself to the highest ethical standards as an elected official. I will expect the same from my fellow trustees.”
• “To remember that my public behavior reflects on me as a trustee.”

Belleville Watch has given candidates until Oct. 14 to reply, Fleischman said.

In August, several candidates filed to run for two open seats on the board. According to the Essex County Clerk’s Office, here are the people who turned in petitions in Belleville:

• Nelson Barrera
• Lissa Missaggia
• Kenia Nicole Arroyuabe
• Ruben A. Rodriguez (no longer running, see below)
• Erika V. Jacho
• Esteban M. Leon
• Brenda Pacheco
• Michael Sheldon

School board members are non-partisan and unpaid. A survey by the National School Boards Association found that 63 percent of board members spend 11 to 50 hours a month on board duties – with some dedicating even more time to the position.

Learn more about voting in Essex County and see key election dates here. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

• See Related: Belleville, Nutley School Board Candidates File Petitions For 2023 Election

BELLEVILLE SCHOOL BOARD: ELECTION UPDATES

Belleville school board member Frank Velez recently announced that he won’t seek re-election when his current term ends this year. Velez, who made history as the board’s youngest-ever member, said he is endorsing Lissa Missaggia for one of the two open seats on the board.

Mayor Michael Melham has thrown his support behind Brenda Pacheco and Esteban Leon, who are running together on the “Better Belleville” slate.

Other candidates such as incumbent Erika Jacho and challengers Kenia Arroyuabe and Nelson Barrera have launched campaign websites and been hitting social media in the effort to reach local voters.

Meanwhile, former board member Michael Sheldon has continued to be a steady presence at school board and town council meetings, recently decrying a new district policy of publishing the names of people who have made OPRA requests.

Ruben Rodriguez confirmed with Patch that he has withdrawn from the race and is no longer running for the school board in 2023.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page.