Students Grill Belleville School Board Candidates At Election Forum [VIDEO]

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville school board candidates met for a forum this week as the countdown to Election Day ticks closer.

There are two seats available on the Belleville Board of Education in the 2026 general election. The candidates are: Gabrielle Bennett Meany, Kyle Lu, Andrea Maldonado, and Lissa Missaggia.

>> RELATED: 2026 Elections In Belleville-Nutley: School Board, Congress, County Races

A candidate forum took place at Belleville High School on Tuesday evening, which featured a question-and-answer session led by students with the BHS Academy of Law and Legal Studies and Mock Trial Team.

Several of their inquires referenced the district’s latest budget – which included a tax hike and several cost-cutting measures. Others wanted to know how the candidates plan to help their fellow students, including those with disabilities or mental health needs.

Here are some of the questions that were posed at Tuesday’s forum:

• “How will the board evaluate whether the district’s spending is producing meaningful results for students, and what would cause you to reconsider funding for a program that is not meeting its goals?”
• “What is the district’s timeline and plan for upgrading the HVAC systems in our older school buildings to ensure adequate climate control and comfortable learning environments for students?”
• “How would you support and maintain diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools, both in terms of curriculum and staff representation?”
• “With the Wellness Center no longer available, what specific resources will replace the support students received there? How will the district measure whether students are actually receiving enough mental health and emotional support?”
• “Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern with many root causes, such as mental health. Which district supports – such as counseling, family outreach or transportation – would you prioritize in the budget to help students attend school regularly?”
• “How would you help students with special needs and disabilities receive proper resources to succeed in our schools?”
• “How do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes of the board of education?”
• “How would you ensure that the concerns and voices of students are heard and taken into consideration when making board decisions?”

Listen to the candidates’ replies in the below video, shared by the Belleville Public School District (video can also be watched online here):

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