Mark Stefanelli Named New Board of Education Trustee

Mark Stefanell was sworn in as the newest trustee of the Wednesday night, filling the vacant seat on the board.

Stefanelli, a resident of the borough for the past 13 years, is an architect by trade. He and his wife have two children in the school system, a freshman and a fifth grader at Lincoln School.

At the start of the board of education meeting when all the candidates were asked to present their background, Stefanelli shared that he has been an active coach for the past eight years for soccer, little league and wrestling.

He stated that now that his oldest son has moved on to the high school he is looking to now become more involved with the school system as he understands the importance of a good education.  With architecture as his background, Stefanelli told the audience that because he deals with design problems every day he can use that problem solving experience towards economic issues.    

The vacancy on the board came in mid-September when . He had served two terms on the board and served as president until this past April.

Stefanelli will serve out the remainder of the term until April 2012

After being sworn in officially by Dina Messery, business administrator, Stefanelli took his seat on the board and thanked his fellow board members. “I promise to do the best job I can,” he said.

Earlier in the evening the board of education members interviewed six of the seven members who had applied to fill the position during the work session meeting. In addition to Stefanelli the other candidates interviewed were Pat Caruso, Michael D’Onofrio, Henry Hahn, Joseph LeConte and Ivette Pujadas. The seventh candidate Jose Perez was not in attendance.

Following the introductions from all the candidates the board members met for about 40 minutes in closed session to make their decision.  

Board President Josephine Ciocia thanked all the candidates stating that it was “a difficult decision. All of you brought great qualities and we encourage you to think seriously about running in the 2012 election.” She explained the board chose Stefanelli as they decided to have a new perspective and different experiences brought to the board.

Audience members heard from all the candidates at the start of the meeting. Caruso shared that she is a 12-year resident who has been an active with the PTA and has also worked in all the school buildings. Her son attended Heights schools and she said it was a positive experience for him as a student as well as for her as a parent.

A former educator in the Hoboken school district and 20 year resident, D’Onofrio told the audience that as a  retired educator he was looking to dedicate his time to the community and to education something he believes is the one of greatest things one can do with his time.

Hahn, an educator in the Fair Lawn School District, is a lifelong resident of Hasbrouck Heights and a graduate of the school system. His three children are now entering the school system and his oldest is in the first grade.

LeConte, a special education math teacher and transition coordinator in the Lodi school district, has lived in the borough for the past nine years and has a daughter who attends Lincoln School. He stated that he has a broad based background and has dealt with special needs and he also serves as a coach and club advisor.

Ivette Pujadas, a resident of the borough for a little more than 5 years has three children in the school system. She previously taught at a Catholic School in Hudson County where she also worked with administration. She considers herself a strong advocate of education at all levels.