Opposition Slate Announces Candidacy In Hoboken School Board Race

HOBOKEN, NJ — While candidates have a few more days to file to run in the Nov. 8 Hoboken Board of Education, word has gotten out about a slate that has formed to oppose the incumbents.

Pavel Sokolov — who publicly opposed a recent $241 million school referendum — will run on a slate with local moms Donna Magen and former City Council Candidate Cindy Wiegand.

They are calling themselves Kids First, a homage to a reform group that ran a decade ago, Sokolov said.

"People think there's a big disconnect on what Board of Education should be doing on behalf of kids and town, and what they are doing," he said. "The [referendum] showed they weren't putting students' educational achievements as first priority. They should make sure each child has access to a quality education."

"We want to bring more community stakeholders to the conversation," he added, referring to local volunteers and business owners who could contribute to local programs. "The whole point is to make it a more inclusive district. A lot of good ideas come from unexpected places."

This year, the three-year terms of Sheillah Dallara, Alex De La Torre, and Joyce Simons are expiring. They have the option to run again.

Patricia Waiters, who was the only one to run against the incumbents last year, said in a comment on Patch that she'll run again as well.

Other interested candidates have until this Monday, July 25, at 4 p.m. to submit nominating petitions to the Hudson County clerk's office.

See more about requirements to run, and issues in the election, here.

This year, a $241 million referendum in January — on a proposed plan to construct a new high school and make changes to the district's aging buildings — was defeated, so the board and school administrators are tasked with coming up with a new plan.

Board members must also make decisions about programs, personnel, and budgets.

Got a letter about the election? Post it using these instructions.

Other Hoboken School Board News

• The board recently voted on several major personnel changes.
• Read information specific to the Hoboken election here.
• Get more information with the New Jersey School Boards Association Candidates' Kit.
• Read Hoboken Patch's story about the most recent school board meeting here.
• The district is holding "community roundtables" in person and virtually for community members to talk about the district. Find out more here.