NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM FORMS FOR HACKENSACK SCHOOLS

HACKENSACK, NJ – The Hackensack Smart Schools Team will feature three outstanding candidates in the April 16 school board election that will determine the future of the city school system and its nearly 6,000 students.

BOE President Lara Rodriguez joins new candidates Michael Scott James-Vickery and Ira G. Goodman on the newly formed Smart Schools Team.

In January, Hackensack Smart Schools Inc. led the fight against a proposed $170 million bond issue that included over $100 million for building a new middle school. The bond issue went down to a crushing defeat with nearly 80% of the voters rejecting it.

Rodriguez had planned on running for re-election alone, but is very pleased to join the Smart Schools Team which is also expected to be supported by City Council Members.

“We don’t agree on everything but we do agree on the most important issues,” says Rodriguez. “We know that our schools are in need of major physical and technology upgrades. We know that our children deserve better and we are committed to working together to meet their needs in a manner that has the least impact on taxpayers.”

Rodriguez is a 24 year local resident, a Rutgers graduate, a school parent and middle school PTA member and the Clerk to the Bergen County Board of Freeholders.

James-Vickery and Goodman are highly qualified private citizens who are stepping forward to volunteer their time and expertise.

James-Vickery holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Special Education. He was a teacher for ten years in Mississippi before bringing his family to Hackensack seven years ago. He has three children in city schools and has been a strong advocate for children with special needs for his entire career.

Goodman is a 17 year local resident with a strong technology background that will be a great asset to the school district. He earned a Master’s in Business Administration in computer technology and is a former software company Vice-President who led a team of technical support engineers for many years.

Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino said she believes the Smart Schools Team is the clear choice to bring new and effective leadership to the schools for both students and taxpayers.  “Councilwoman Stephanie Von Rudenborg and I have met with Lara numerous times over the past year and have formed a very good working relationship,” says Canestrino. “We share a lot of the same goals and ideas and we are all pragmatic people who understand that city and school officials must work together to get things done without unnecessary expenditures and within budget guidelines.”