Change For Children Announce Board of Education Slate

Change for Children (CFC), the student focused Jersey City School Board committee, submitted candidate petitions for this year’s school board today. Erika Baez, Thyson Halley, and Doris “Toni” Ervin are excited to run for Board of Education because it is crucial for our children’s future to have the right leaders on the Board who have the experience and vision to make our schools the best.

Coming out of a devastating pandemic where the administration was unprepared and indecisive, our schools were closed with many students and families left to fend for themselves. Even after 18 months, many or our school buildings are still without the necessary upgrades to make them healthy to enter. There is no real plan on how to address the learning loss of our students and a budget that best can be described as financial nightmare. It is critical for new leadership on the Board to fix these problems and build better education for a brighter future for our children and our city.

Ms. Baez, Mr. Halley, and Ms. Ervin will be meeting with residents to listen to their concerns and ideas and discuss how, together, we can improve our underperforming schools, put our budget on firm financial footing, and make sure teachers, classrooms, and students, not administrators, get what they need to succeed.

“In a school system that is hard to navigate and where substantial answers on school policy or operations are difficult to get, parents are left on their own with no say in their children’s education. That isn’t right. Parents shouldn’t need a PhD to ensure their children get a good education. I will bring my leadership skills to the Board and work hard to ensure that every school is safe, and every child gets the quality education they deserve no matter what school they attend “noted Erika Baez, a former PTA President with many years of advocacy for top quality education in Jersey City.

Thyson Halley, a life-long Jersey City resident who has been active in his Ward and throughout the city on issues pertaining to special needs students said, “As someone who grew up with sever hearing loss, I know the extra hurdles special needs students have to get over to get equity in their education. On the board, I will ensure that special needs students along with all other students are given every opportunity to succeed.”

“Quality education must be a priority at every level. From pre-school to elementary through middle and high school, I will insist on accountability from the administration to improve education in Jersey City. I am running to ensure we get this right. We cannot afford anything else.” added Doris “Toni” Ervin, an instructor at Hudson County Community College and former pre-school operator.

Change for Children is proud of this slate of leaders who have already made a big difference in our children’s future and now have taken this next important step to ensuring a bright future for our children. They are looking forward to listening to parents and sharing their vision on how to improve our schools in every way.