Jason Albanese: Hillsborough School Board Candidate

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ —The Hillsborough Township School Board has four candidates vying for three seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 2.

Jason R. Albanese is one of the candidates running. The other candidates include:

• Allison Laning-Beder
• Krzysztof Golas
• Elaine Jackson

All of the candidates are running for the three, three-year seats on the board.

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.

Jason R. Albanese

Name: Jason R. Albanese

Age: 46

Town of residence: Hillsborough Township

Position sought: Three-year seat on the Board Of Education

Family: I have been married to my wife, Michelle for 18 years and I have a son, Jonathan who is 11, and a daughter, Briana who is 8.

Education: I have an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. I have multiple certifications in different areas of Law Enforcement. I have other certifications in different areas of expertise.

Occupation: Finance.

Previous or current elected appointed office: I have never been elected or appointed to any office.

Why are you seeking to run for school board? I am seeking to run for the school board to enhance the transparency between the administration, Board of Education, teachers and taxpayers of the community. I would also like to let not only the students but the teachers have a voice and be heard. I will also make it my duty to have the parents be heard no matter what their issue is good or bad. I would also like to review policies and procedures to make sure they are being followed or if the policies need to be updated or changed. I know this is a thankless job but I am willing to listen, act and guide those who need it. I also think taking away programs from children to make them all equal is detrimental to the development of children and young adults.

What is your stance on masks in schools? I believe in the Constitution of the United States. I believe we are all granted inalienable rights that cannot be infringed upon. I also understand that each person has the ability to make a choice. If parents wish to send their children to school with no masks, that is their choice. We are free people and the Constitution of the United States never gets suspended.

Should schools offer a virtual option? Yes, I believe schools should offer a virtual option if a/an parent/parents do not wish to send their children to school for fear they may get sick. It can also help children still be a part of the class while sick.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? I believe the lack of communication between the administration all the way to the students is evident and needs to be changed. There is no transparency, or trust between the administration, Board of Education and the taxpayers. The teacher's voices are sometimes muted and many of the younger teachers are leaving the district for other districts and this needs to be changed. I believe input needs to be made by all into the budget and other taxing issues for the community. Plans need to be addressed before being approved and the taxpayers must have a voice on curriculum and spending.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? I think life experience, work ethic and the ability to speak my mind eloquently will separate me from the other candidates. I also listen and will help formulate plans to help the teachers and the administrators work closely with each other on issues they may disagree upon and come up with a solution quickly instead of being stuck in a stalemate for months.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign? I am willing to listen to, work with and fight for the community, especially the children who deserve the best education and school experience they can have. I will share my experiences with the administration, board of education and teachers to help create a cohesive unit that works together for common goals. I believe I am a great candidate who has the people of this great community in mind and my commitment to making this a better district is one of my top priorities. My background has taught me discipline, work ethic and the compassion to help others and I will continue the same if I am elected.