Wyckoff BOE: Four Vie For Three Seats

WYCKOFF, NJ – In Wyckoff, four candidates will vie for three open school board seats on Nov. 5.

Incumbents Daniel McHugh and Timothy Murtha will seek re-election, while newcomers Brett Traficant and Louis Cicerchia look to join the board.

Trustee Christopher Della Pietra not seeking re-election, which will create a vacancy.

Each candidate was asked to fill out a profile in advance of Election Day for publication. See below for their answers.

Daniel McHugh

• Age: 48
• Years in town: 17 years
• Occupation: Risk Management Consultant
• Previous public offices held: 3-year Trustee of the Wyckoff K-8 Board of Education, Chair of the Policy and Facilities Committees
• Family: Married with two children – a daughter who is a junior at Ramapo High School and a son in 8thgrade at Eisenhower Middle School
• Community activities: Parishioner at St. Elizabeth's Church, Co-Chair-Parish Picnic, Membership Chair-Knights of Columbus, Team Member-Pre Cana team, Active with St. Martin's Soup Kitchen in Jersey City. Former Rec Softball, Soccer and Travel Baseball coach.
• Why are you running: One of the most important jobs of the Board of Education is hiring a Superintendent. My background in hiring employees, and experience in governance are significant assets in identifying and hiring our district's next Chief Administrator. Further, nearly 72% of our local tax levy goes to fund our local schools, Over the past three years as a Board of Education Trustee, I have been part of a team that has kept our school budget increases under 2% annually. I want to support an innovative education curriculum, with continued fiscal restraint that puts the education of Wyckoff public school students first.

Timothy Murtha

• Age: 53
• Years in town: 19 years
• Occupation: Business teacher at Ridgewood High School
• Public offices held: Wyckoff Board of Education, 2017 to present
• Family: Married with five children – all attended district schools
• Community activities: Current head coach for the junior football program. Has also coached girls travel basketball, t-ball, baseball, softball and soccer.
• Why are you running: My children received an excellent education in the Wyckoff school system. I want to do everything I can to ensure that these standards are maintained and innovative improvements are made for future generations of students.

Louis Cicerchia

• Age: 44
• Years in town: 7 years
• Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Finance
• Previous public offices held: Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment
• Family: Married with three children – a 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son at Eisenhower Middle School and an 8-year-old son at Sicomac Elementary School.
• Community activities: Rec Soccer, Basketball (Boys and Girls) and Baseball Coach; Boys Travel Basketball Coach. Board Member and Parishioner of Abundant Life Worship Center; Board Member of Finding the Fabulous
• Why are you running: My finance background and in-depth board member experience will be valuable when hiring decisions and budget decisions (nearly 72% of our local tax levy goes to fund our local schools) need to be made. In addition, as a parent with three children currently attending Wyckoff Elementary Schools, I have a keen interest in curriculum transparency. Parents should be informed and have a voice in regard to the continued academic education excellence of Wyckoff public school students, both present and future.

Brett Traficant

• Age: 42
• Years in town: 5
• Occupation:Program Manager for Medical Device Company
• Public offices held: None
• Family: Married with three children – a 14-year-old son and 11-year-old son at Eisenhower Middle School and an 3-year-old daughter.
• Community activities: Rec Basketball, Boys Travel Basketball, Boy Scouts Troop 89
• Why are you running: My wife and I have two sons in the Wyckoff school system, and a daughter who will be entering school in 2 years. We believe Wyckoff is a wonderful town with great schools. I intend to work hard to make them even better. I will be focused on using our tax dollars in the most beneficial way possible for our students. I am invested in our kids’ success. I am committed to ensuring that our kids are prepared and have the foundation they need to enter high school and are not just taught to tests. I will help the Board to look at different means to continue improving our kid’s education while working to keep costs down. I bring a new viewpoint and I am passionate about our town and school system.