Hoboken School Board Profiles: Alex De La Torre Q&A

HOBOKEN, NJ — A lot's at stake in this year's Hoboken school board election. More than 3,000 students attend the local public schools.

We asked some serious questions, some offbeat, but it's important for readers to notice whether the candidates rephrased the question and purposely declined to answer. Do they have vague ideas, or thoughts and plans?

Running for three seats on the board this Nov. 8 are:

• The "Leadership That Listens" slate, consisting of incumbent Alejandro (Alex) De La Torre Jr. along with Leslie Norwood and Antonio Graña;
• "Kids First" consisting of Pavel Sokolov, Donna Magen, and Cindy Wiegand, and
• Independent John Madigan (a former board member) and
• Independent Patricia Waiters (a former candidate).

Do you have questions? You can post letters about the election for free, any time, here at Patch using these instructions.

You can also post comments below this story.

(See the other profiles by scrolling down on Hoboken Patch. More will be posted Sunday.)

Here Is How Alex De La Torre of "Leadership That Listens" Answered The Questions

NAME: Alex De La Torre
WEBSITE: LeadershipThatListensHoboken.com
CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS: 1 sophomore at Hoboken High School, 1 8 th grader at Hoboken Middle School
OCCUPATION: Finance

OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME: N/A
DOES ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY WORK IN GOVT OR POLITICS? WHERE? NO
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: Current Trustee of the Hoboken Board of Education

1. What is the best thing about the public schools, and what needs improvement?

The best thing about the Hoboken Public School District is that my kids come home happy.

Not only have they been able to make friends from every walk of life but, they have also been
exposed to a variety of opportunities. Both my daughters have been in the public schools since
pre-K 3 and have enjoyed a variety of programming/curriculum that has given them a well-
rounded and invigorating experience. These opportunities include Hoboken Middle School
Strings and pre-AP Music program, Passport to Wellness sailing in partnership with Hoboken
Sailing Club, Engineering – a Hoboken High School graduation requirement, and rigorous pre-AP
and AP courses at both Hoboken Middle and High Schools.
Although this is not the only barometer to measure success, I believe we can continue to
improve our district scores. With continued investment, enhanced collaboration between
teachers and administrators and an enhanced partnership with the community, we will continue
to see Hoboken improve.

2. What makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the board?

I am the sole candidate seeking re-election as an incumbent. The experience I gained over the
last four years serving on the Hoboken Board of Education has been invaluable. I serve on a
variety of committees – Finance, Governance and Facilities – giving me an intimate view into the
overall operations of the board. I was also part of the negotiations team that passed the last
teacher’s union contract. I know the day-to-day challenges that come with running a district in
the best and worst of times. I’ve been there when real financial decisions are made when costs
increase and when we need to find savings in order to retain our excellent teachers.

3. If you had to vote for 3 candidates out of the current field, NOT counting yourself, which 3 would you choose, and why?

I have chosen to run as part of the Leadership that Listens slate which is comprised of two
additional candidates – Leslie Norwood and Antonio Grana. We joined forces because we have
a similar vision for the future of our schools and community – each of us bringing our own
personality and passion. I would be remiss to discuss endorsement of any other candidates.

4. Did you support the $241M Hoboken school plan, up for referendum vote in Jan? If/when it's introduced again, what do you think should change, if anything?

Yes, I supported the referendum that was put to vote in January 2022. I believed then and
continue to believe now, that the district needs new facilities for the 3,000 students currently attending the Hoboken Public School District. As a sitting board member, I learned a lot from this process; the community spoke loud and clear with their votes. When it comes time to present a new referendum, it’s imperative we focus on community engagement. We have already initiated a series of roundtable discussions open to all Hoboken residents, which were available in person and remotely. The goal of these sessions is to provide additional transparency and open communication between community members and the board. As the newest building in our district dates to 1962, I believe it is paramount that we invest in our school infrastructure.

5. What is your political affiliation, if you're willing to say? Even though local school board races are non-partisan, do you think political party matters for a Hoboken school board member?

I am a lifelong Democrat. An elected seat on the board is a volunteer position, and any
individual running should be doing so for the overall betterment of all our city’s children.
Partisan agendas and political advancement have no place in the decisions and processes set by
the Hoboken Board of Education.

6. During the referendum period, many brought up the fact that 8 percent of Hoboken High School students were considered proficient in math by the state. While there is often wiggle room and extenuating circumstances with test scores, 8 percent is lower than other area high schools, such as Union City and West New York. Do you think this is a matter for concern, and if so, what should be done? https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/new-jersey/districts/hoboken-public-school-district-106754

A proficiency rate of 8 percent in Math is concerning. In my opinion, test scores are not the only barometer of success – it represents one data point for a student that can further help
educators with remediation. However, I do understand the need to see improvement in test
scores as well. We would not be doing our best by our students if we didn’t progress. We’ve
seen progress on so many levels at Hoboken High School (HHS), from graduation rates to AP
scores, scholarship dollars, and college acceptances. I look forward to working towards a similar
trend for standardized test scores across the district.

7. The U.S. Census estimates that there are approximately 3,456 kids age 5-14 living in Hoboken, but the population of the three elementary schools and middle school is under 2,000. Do you think the district should try to draw more students from the local population, and how? Do you think it should find ways to help integrate students from public, public charter, and private schools into activities?

The great thing about Hoboken is that it gives families choices with respect to their children’s
education. Whether it’s private, charter or the Hoboken Public School District, parents have
options based on their needs and beliefs. Should we aspire to draw other students beyond our
current student population based on great results? Yes – and I believe we do that already. Our
innovative programming, rigorous curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and diverse athletic
programs make us a compelling choice. The annual Showcase of Excellence and Redwing For A
Day program are just two examples of community engagements to come see what we’re all
about. Our goal is not just to be a choice but to be the top choice for any family here in
Hoboken.

8. Should the first snow day of the year be a traditional day off, or remote learning?

Being a Southern California native, the snow day concept is completely foreign to me. However, remembering the fondness in the voices of my East Coast college friends when they spoke of
them coupled with my own memories of taking the girls sledding, I lean towards the first snow
day, and only the first, being off. Call me a sucker for nostalgia.