transparency & Accountability
The failed January 25th Hoboken High School Bond exposed a serious deficit of transparency between the BOE and community. The plan for the $241 million bond was discussed among the Board for many months before bringing it to the community. Residents were informed only with minimal time and information to consider the proposal and were not given an adequate chance to
participate in discussions about funding and priorities. Those of us who rallied together to Vote No were a grassroots group of residents from across the political spectrum. We agree that all of our kids deserve great education and enhanced facilities. Our collective voices prevailed, and the referendum was voted down by 65% of our Hoboken community. We want a more fiscally responsible plan, a heavier emphasis on education outcomes over expensive facilities and athletic programs and, at the core, transparency and accountability to the community. The Kids First team wants to put an end to backroom politics and secret meetings, instead pushing for a Board of Education that openly communicates and engages with the public at all times and explains its decision making. We want to foster a culture of openness and trust. "I am running because I saw firsthand what our town is capable of when we band together and demand that our voices be heard and respected. Through being one of the leaders of the Vote No campaign we discovered many issues in our school district that need to be resolved, that we otherwise would never have found out about. I want the Kids First slate to build on the success and affect positive change for all of Hoboken's children,” said candidate Pavel Sokolov. Educational Excellence For All
Every child in Hoboken—regardless of which school they attend, where they live, or what their family's financial situation is—deserves a top-notch education. Our teachers and support staff must be provided with the necessary tools and resources to support them in their mission to educate our children. We want Hoboken to be a city that attracts and maintains residents because of its public schools. The Kids First team is committed to ensuring that Hoboken's kids are provided education that prepares them for the future. "I am running because I believe a good public education is a holistic endeavor: teachers, parents, and the community at large make for successful academic outcomes. I want parents to feel empowered to be more involved in their child's education process. I also believe that any changes or updates to the curriculum should be made public immediately and for families to be encouraged to make informed decisions about their children's education,” said candidate Donna Magen. Collaboration & Inclusion
The Kids First team will work to leverage all Hoboken has to offer as it seeks to make our schools the gold standard of education in Hudson County and New Jersey for all types of learners. Our community is blessed with a unique and diverse mix of individuals and educational entities that can and should be utilized by the BOE to enhance students’ education and development. We should share the unique and diverse expertise, knowledge and skills that each program offers for the betterment of all students and families. We have multiple charter and independent schools. We have local artists, entrepreneurs, and leading professionals in finance, technology, media. We have universities and programs through the county, state and the Hoboken Housing Authority. There is much the BOE can learn through genuine collaboration and inclusion, and this can and should all be used to provide a best-in-class education for the entire Hoboken community. “Putting Kids First, including great schools for all types of learners and being mindful of cost-of-living, is key for an engaged and thriving community. I have extensive experience going to communities for feedback and turning a variety of opinions into actionable solutions. A community-wide orientation will only strengthen our schools,” said candidate Cindy Wiegand. We pledge that, if elected, any member of our community that comes to a Board of Education meeting or reaches out to us directly will be treated with respect and with a genuine openness to hear feedback and ideas. We the candidates and the wider Kids First team would like to thank Dr. Christine Johnson for leading our district through the Covid-19 Pandemic and for her years of administrative excellence and skill. We look forward to working closely with her. Together, we can chart a bright path for Hoboken by putting “Kids First.”
