Hillsborough School Board Election 2026: Joseph A. Petrosino

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township's general election on Nov. 4 has six candidates running for three open seats for the Board of Education.

Joseph A. Petrosino is running for one of the three, three-year seats against incumbents Cynthia "Cindy" DeCalalcante Nurse and Paul David Marini and newcomers James Soi Mwanza, Daniel Sexton, and Diane Braungard-Galayda.

Are you running for office in Hillsborough? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Hillsborough Patch.

Joseph A. Petrosino

Age: 71

Town of residence: Hillsborough Township

Position sought: Hillsborough Township Board of Education

Family: Married, two adult children, and one rescue dog, Alice.

Education: The Citadel, B.S. in Social Studies Education; Kean University, M.A. in Educational Administration; University of Pennsylvania, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Policy.

Occupation: Educator and Educational Leadership Consultant; Adjunct Professor. Approximately 40 years K-12 Educational Leadership

Previous or current elected appointed office: Past President, Kiwanis Club; Vice President, New Jersey Area Citadel Club.

Campaign website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594537686076

Why are you seeking election for the Hillsborough Township Board of Education?

I have chosen to run for the Hillsborough Board of Education because I care deeply about our schools, our students, our families, and our community.

I have spent more than 40 years in education, working in teaching, educational leadership, administration, special education, career and technical education, personnel, mentoring, and the preparation of future educational leaders. I believe that experience can be useful to the Hillsborough Board and community.

I am also an independent candidate. I am not running as the representative of a political party, elected official, union, or any other political organization. I will listen to people from across our community, but I will make my own decisions based on the facts, the responsibilities of the Board, and what I believe is in the best interest of our students.

Listen. Learn. Lead.

Transparency in government is important for the community. Do you feel the BOE is transparent, and how would you increase transparency?

I believe transparency is an ongoing responsibility of any public organization, and there is always room to improve communication with the community.

As a Board member, I would support providing clear and understandable information about Board decisions, the budget, major initiatives, and the reasons behind significant decisions. I would also encourage meaningful opportunities for community input while recognizing the legal responsibilities and limitations of the Board.

Transparency also means being clear about the role of a Board of Education. The Board establishes policy, provides oversight, and sets direction; the administration is responsible for the
day-to-day operation of the district. I believe respecting those roles is important to effective governance and public trust.

With rising healthcare costs and inflation, how do you propose keeping tax increases to a minimum?

I believe the Board has a responsibility to be a careful steward of taxpayers' money while maintaining the programs and services our students need.

I would want to understand the budget thoroughly, examine both short- and long-term costs, look for efficiencies, and ask whether expenditures are aligned with the district's educational priorities. I would also want to understand the factors driving costs before making decisions about where reductions or changes might be appropriate.

I would not make a promise that taxes will simply go down. School budgets are affected by many factors, including contractual obligations, healthcare and other costs, state requirements, and available state aid.

My approach would be responsible spending, careful questioning, and decisions based on facts rather than slogans.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the BOE?

I believe several areas deserve continued attention: student achievement, special education and services for students with significant needs, staffing and retention, responsible financial
management, communication with families, and maintaining a productive relationship between the Board and the administration.

I am also very interested in good Board governance. Board members need to understand the difference between providing policy, oversight, and accountability and becoming involved in the day-to-day administration of the district.

Most importantly, I believe the Board must remain focused on its responsibility to students and the community it serves.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of Hillsborough Schools?

The people.

Having spent my career in education, I have tremendous respect for the work teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and community members do every day on behalf of
students.

What I particularly value about being part of a school community is seeing young people learn, grow, discover their abilities, and prepare for life beyond high school.

That is what education is ultimately about, and it is one of the reasons I want to serve.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I have spent more than 40 years working in education, and I believe that experience has taught me two things that are especially important in Board service: listen before you act and learn before you decide.

I am a graduate of The Citadel, Kean University, and the University of Pennsylvania. I have also had the opportunity to serve my community as a past president of a Kiwanis Club and as Vice President of the New Jersey Area Citadel Club. I am an Eagle Scout and a recipient of The Citadel's Commandant's Distinguished Service Award.

Outside of education, I am a hobby drummer and photographer. I also restore beginner drum kits and make them available to students who want to try drumming without their parents having to spend a fortune on an instrument they may not continue to play. If a young person discovers that
they love it, they can take it from there.

I am running an independent, positive campaign. I have no obligation to any political party or political organization, and I will make my own decisions based on the facts and the
responsibilities of the Board.

I will not engage in personal attacks, speculate about someone's motives, or participate in partisan "us versus them" arguments. People can disagree strongly about an issue and still treat one another with respect.

If elected, I will bring my experience, my independence, and my commitment to students, families, and the Hillsborough community to the work of the Board.

Listen. Learn. Lead!