Teen Hopatcong BOE Member Reflects on Election Win, Improving Schools

Anthony Fasano, soon to be the newest—and youngest—member of the Hopatcong Borough Schools Board of Education is 19-year-old Anthony Fasano, a Hopatcong High graduate in his second year as a student at Montclair State University. Fresh from his Nov. 5 election win, the former candidate is reflecting on his unique situation and describes himself as "thankful and determined."

Fasano also describes himself as "an advocate for positivity and cohesiveness 
within the community." He said that attitude, plus a "motivated support system" including his family, his election team and the 2,127 residents who voted for him made his Election Day success possible. He also credited "a strong and innovative social media campaign and a community "who put as much trust in me as I put in them."

He may be young, but Fasano says he is not some kid wearing rose-colored glasses. He said he is very aware of the uphill battle he faces in working to improve an academically struggling school system. He said he intends to start the “re-building process” for the district right away.

More than anything, he said he is looking forward to creating cohesiveness from the start with his colleagues on the school board.

“We are a board of education," he said. "We are a group of individuals from all walks of life coming together and using our life experiences to benefit our school system, a system in which thousands of people call home. I could not be any more confident that in 2014, we as a board of education will be committed to enhancing our schools without enhancing the financial pressure on taxpayers. 

"That is why we were elected, to come together and focus on Hopatcong 
Schools."

Fasano said he sees getting to know his fellow board members as an opportunity to "find common ground and work together in doing so." 

Fasano will be sworn Jan. 6, along with returning incumbents Michele Perrotti and Frank Farrugia. But the young man said he isn't waiting until the new year to get to work or wasting time congratulating himself for the Election Day win. 

“I appreciate this community electing me," he said. "But I was not elected to celebrate, I was elected to get to work and that is precisely what I plan to do.” 

And he said he's showing his commitment to being a fully transparent BOE member. He encourages residents to get involved in the process of working to improve district schools by sending him comments, questions and suggestions directly at Movingforward@anthonyfasano.org. 

"We are all in this together,” he said.