Wayne Teachers Union Endorses School Board Candidates

WAYNE, NJ — The Wayne Education Association is endorsing incumbents Stacey Scher and Eileen Albanese, and challenger Brian Quintavella, for election to the Board of Education.

The WEA, which represents about 900 teachers and secretaries who work in the Wayne Public School District, formally screened the candidates running for office. Candidates shared their views on several educational issues and answered questions from a panel.

The WEA endorsed Scher when she ran for her first term on the board in 2015. Albanese has served as the board's president.

"We are excited about the prospects of supporting the reelection of these two worthy incumbents. It's time for all parties in this district to come together to work honestly and cooperatively in moving this district forward," WEA Vice President Dennis Carroll said in a statement released Tuesday. "These two candidates have a proven record of accomplishment and forward thinking."

Carroll said of Quintavella, who has never held elected office: "We have a candidate that has clearly and enthusiastically expressed his support for educators and the children of the district.

"We are confident that Mr. Quintavella will bring a renewed energy and innovative ideas to the board," Carroll said. "In our discussions, he displayed a special understanding of the existing challenges facing Wayne."

The Community for Academic Excellence (CAE), the union's political action committee, formally announced the endorsements at its Representative Council meeting Sept. 26.

Pranvera Gencarelli, Matthew Giodrdano, Gail Okun, and Christian Smith are the other candidates vying for three, three-year seats on the board. Okun is the other incumbent running. Smith was a one-term candidate who lost his re-election bid last year. (See related: Who Is Running For The Wayne School Board?)

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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