Bloomfield Board Of Education Candidates Answer Questions About Superintendent Search and Oversight

The seven candidates running for three seats on the Bloomfield Board of Education are participating in a survey being published in four installments. Sections 1 and 2 covered Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Transparency and Good Governance.

This section of the survey focuses on the selection of a new superintendent, and the board’s role in overseeing the superintendent. The three members of the school board elected on November 4 will be one-third of the nine member board that will select a new Superintendent after the recently announced retirement of current Bloomfield Superintendent Sal Goncalves on June 30, 2026.

Six of the candidates are running in two slates: 1) Stronger Schools Now Slate, including Deanna Wilson, Kerri Joyce, Jelani Jeffrey; 2) For the Students Slate, including Andrew LoMonte, Quan R. Miller, and Thomas Heaney. Ben Morse is running as an independent candidate, listed on the ballot as One for All.

Selecting and Overseeing the Superintendent

Bengals Connect developed these questions about Bloomfield's upcoming selection of a new superintendent, and the school board’s role in overseeing the superintendent:

• What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent? How should the community be kept informed during the search for a new superintendent?

• How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? What role does the strategic plan play in oversight, and does Bloomfield’s current strategic plan provide a good basis for evaluation of the superintendent’s performance?
  • In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district? Montclair’s new superintendent and newly appointed business administrator recently discovered $18 million of debt amassed by a previous superintendent. How can the board act in a way that provides adequate oversight of Bloomfield School District’s financial health?

Deanna Wilson
Stronger Schools Now

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

The community should have a voice in the superintendent search through surveys, public forums, and other opportunities to share their input on what qualities and priorities are in a desired leader. The Board should ensure transparency by providing regular updates on the process through the district website, emails, and public meetings, while maintaining confidentiality where appropriate. I believe clear communication will help build trust and ensure the next selected superintendent reflects the values and goals of the district.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The Board’s role is to provide oversight by setting clear expectations for the superintendent, this includes monitoring progress and ensuring accountability but not managing daily operations. The strategic plan’s purpose is to guide this oversight, as it defines what the district’s goals and measurable outcomes are. As the current plan breaks down staff structure, it does not offer in detail how the superintendent’s performance is evaluated. However, since this is a 5-year plan, over the past 2 years, Sal Goncalves was able to accomplish 25% of this plan, which to me seems that the current board members were holding him accountable and ensuring the infrastructure and facilities were updated to fit the community needs as stated in this current plan. I would also suggest that with a new superintendent, should come a new strategic plan, this can ensure that the updated plan covers roles and responsibilities of the superintendent and how they should be evaluated, along with replacing goals already established.

The Board has a fiduciary duty to ensure the district’s financial stability with strong oversight, transparency, and accountability. To avoid situations like Montclair’s, the Board should regularly review financial reports, question variances, and maintain open communication with the superintendent and business administrator to ensure the budget is properly managed. Also, having regular audits, clear reporting, and active engagement by the Finance Committee to help detect issues early and keep the district’s finances aligned with the completion of its 2023-2028 strategic plan goals.

Kerri Joyce
Stronger Schools Now

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

I think the community absolutely should have a role in finding the new superintendent. While I understand that as the process advances there will be issues of privacy, like not being able to release candidate names or identifying information. But there is room for the community at large to be involved early on. One of the first steps the Board can take would be to put together a committee– this could include teachers in the district, HSA presidents, Principals and Vice Principals of Bloomfield schools, etc. The Board could then put out a survey to the community to gather feedback on top issues and what the community wants to see in our next superintendent. As the process begins to narrow down candidates, this committee should be reporting to the community, say at Board meetings, updates on the process. This can all be done anonymously. But at a certain point the community does need to respect that the Board will have to switch to a ‘closed door’ process.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The Board absolutely has a responsibility to oversee the financial health of the district and the superintendent. These are some of the biggest responsibilities of the Board, and Montclair’s situation should be a warning to us all. It’s pretty crazy that this happened to their district to begin with, considering the roles of the Board include budget approval, expenditure oversight, and compliance to budget adherence and spending. I think Bloomfield does a good job of adhering to budgeting. We need to strengthen this resolve and commit to getting ahead of budgeting shortfalls with current funding setbacks.

Bloomfield’s 2023-2028 strategic plan includes addressing concerns like aging facilities and staffing issues, and learning gaps. While Mr. Goncalves’s legacy will speak to some of the strengths of our district today - diversity, 1:1 technology initiatives, and beginning facility upgrades - a new superintendent should come aboard with a plan on how to advance and strengthen our strategic plan.

Jelani Jeffrey
Stronger Schools Now

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

Community involvement is essential in selecting our next superintendent because it ensures the outcome truly reflects the values, priorities, and aspirations of our residents. The superintendent is a public-facing leader who directly shapes the district’s direction, culture, and long-term success. This decision impacts not only the environment in which our children learn and grow, but also the strength and stability of the community our families continue to build and invest in.

Our schools are one of the most powerful drivers of neighborhood value, civic pride, and family engagement. Choosing a superintendent who can sustain and expand upon that success is critical. We need a leader who recognizes that educational excellence, social connection, and community vitality are deeply intertwined — and who can help us build upon our progress to reach even greater heights together.

Community participation is vital, even when perspectives differ, because meaningful progress comes from open dialogue and shared ownership. The Board should keep residents informed throughout the search process with consistent updates, clear communication through district channels, and accessible opportunities for public feedback. Transparency and trust must remain at the heart of this process, ensuring the community’s voice helps shape the district’s future.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The Board’s role is to ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with district goals while allowing the superintendent the professional space to lead effectively. Oversight means setting clear expectations, monitoring outcomes, and maintaining open communication built on trust and responsibility. To be frank, a proactive Board must also know when to say no.

There’s a saying that “price means nothing in the presence of value.” Our community’s presence and participation define what we value most. When engagement is lacking, we inadvertently delegate that responsibility to nine Board members to decide what they believe is best — which makes community involvement all the more essential. Trust in our Board is a must, and open participation helps ensure the decisions reflect the community’s priorities.

The strategic plan is central to this process. It should guide how we evaluate the superintendent’s performance by measuring progress in student achievement, equity, fiscal management, and community engagement. Bloomfield’s current plan provides a solid foundation but should be reviewed regularly to reflect our district’s evolving needs and priorities.

Financial oversight remains one of the Board’s most vital responsibilities. The situation in Montclair underscores the importance of transparency and consistent financial review. The Board must ensure clear reporting from both the superintendent and business administrator, with regular public updates. Every financial decision should reflect Bloomfield’s long-term stability and commitment to student success — and Bloomfield has done a commendable job maintaining that standard.

Effective oversight isn’t about control; it’s about partnership, accountability, and protecting the trust of our community through collaboration and transparency.

Andrew LoMonte
For the Students

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

I believe that the board can reach out to the community through listening sessions and questionnaires to hear first hand about what they are looking for in a Superintendent. Community input is vital for the board to consider before making a decision.

The board should keep the community informed during the search for a new superintendent through sharing updates during meetings, as well as other communications such as email, virtual backpack, and social media.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The responsibility of the board is to make sure that they have a collaborative relationship with the superintendent in achieving the best possible outcomes for our students, and to ensure the superintendent’s decisions align with our district’s goals. This includes asking tough questions, evaluating performance, and maintaining a respectful partnership.

The strategic plan is an important tool the board has for oversight as it can be used to provide benchmarks for progress. If elected, I would make sure that Bloomfield’s strategic plan is a good basis for evaluation of the superintendent’s performance, and would also ensure that evaluation goes beyond that to make sure that our district is meeting its goals.

The recent discovery of $18 million in debt in Montclair underscores the importance of proactive governance, requiring regular financial updates, and clear communication. I believe the board’s role in financial oversight in Bloomfield should be to provide accountability and always make the best decisions for our students, staff, and community.

Here in Bloomfield we are very lucky to have Vicky Guo as our Business Administrator.

Quan R. Miller
For the Students

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

The community should play an active role in ensuring the best and most qualified candidate is chosen. A public search committee can be formed to represent community interests. In addition, surveys, stakeholder meetings, websites, and focus groups can be used to gather input on what qualities and priorities residents want in the next superintendent. Community voices should help shape the criteria and expectations for the role.

Transparency is key. Regular public meetings should be held to provide updates on the progress of the search. Information should also be shared through email updates, social media posts, and official announcements at key stages. Board members and community representatives should personally engage with residents to ensure everyone feels informed and included.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The board’s oversight responsibilities are guided by NJSBA. This includes setting clear policies, monitoring performance, and holding the superintendent accountable for achieving district goals. Maintaining a professional and open line of communication between the board and the superintendent is essential for effective oversight and collaboration.

Strategic planning is a structured and collaborative process that includes the board, teachers, administrators, and community members. It sets the district’s long-term goals and serves as a roadmap for success. Bloomfield’s current strategic plan provides a strong foundation for evaluating the superintendent’s performance and ensuring alignment with the district’s mission and objectives.

The situation in Montclair is unfortunate and highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in financial management. Fortunately, Bloomfield has maintained a strong record of fiscal responsibility. If elected, I will prioritize a collaborative and consistent relationship with our Business Administrator, who has a proven track record of sound financial oversight.

Thomas Heaney
For the Students

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

The community has several ways to contribute to the search for a new superintendent.
Through surveys, stakeholder meetings, and focus groups the community can give a lot of input into the criteria of what they are looking for in a candidate. There are limitations and restrictions and all applicants are to be kept confidential and ultimately it is up to the board to make the final decision.

The community should be kept informed of the progress in the selection process for a new superintendent. This can take various forms from email and social media posts to announcements for bigger parts of the process.

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

We follow guidelines as set by NJSBA on oversight of the superintendent. Oversight includes setting policy, evaluating performance, and holding the superintendent responsible in achieving the goals of the board.

I have been fortunate to go through the strategic planning process in Bloomfield. Strategic Planning is an informative and collaborative process that involves the board, the teachers, the administrators and the community. IT is a guided process by the NJSBA and it is quite the learning experience. I do not know the current strategic plan but I would think it provides a common vision for the district. Evaluation of the superintendent is more involved than just what is in the strategic plan, but the plan is the base where goals are set and measured against the performance of the superintendent.

The board approves the overall budget but is discouraged from micromanaging the particulars inside the budget itself. The BA (Business Administrator) is responsible for overseeing the financial health of the district. This is a simplified answer and the board does have oversight via developing the budget, creating annual reports and audits, measuring taxpayer impacts, setting policies, among other things.

I am not familiar with the details of the situation on the Montclair School District finances. I do read that Montclair is sending many teachers and staff layoff notices this week. I would not feel comfortable answering the question without more information. Currently Vicky Guo is our BA in Bloomfield and she is a rock star. Bloomfield is on sound financial footing with her in that position. I know I can trust Ms. Guo.

Ben Morse
One for All

What role should the community play in finding a new superintendent?

The NJSBA offers a good framework for carrying out superintendent searches including how/when to communicate with the community. My recommendation is to follow the recipes laid out by the NJSBA.

General process:
https://www.teaneckschools.org/Downloads/CSA%20Search%20Process%20for%20Input%20Sessions%20-%20teaneck2.pdf

The Montclair example:
https://cdnsm5-ss19.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_889476/File/District/Board%20of%20Education/Supt%20Search/Stakeholder%20Input%20-%20Montclair%202024%20Updated.pdf

How do you see the board’s responsibility for oversight of the superintendent? In particular, what is the board’s role in overseeing the financial health of the district?

The board sets the superintendent’s goals and evaluates them on a yearly basis. The board also makes sure the superintendent implements board policies and manages the day to day operations of the district with those goals and policies in mind.

The strategic plan offers a broad outline for the district’s direction but it doesn’t provide a good basis for evaluating the superintendent’s performance for two reasons.

1) It doesn’t take into account financial limitations.
2) Many of the points in the plan are too general.

Board members need to educate themselves about school finances and be familiar with what questions to ask that are key to understanding the financial health of the district.
The district also needs a financial audit every year, which Bloomfield does, to take a deeper dive into the district’s finances and present those findings to the public.

The Board also needs to trust its business administrator and understand how the superintendent evaluates that person’s performance.

Keep in mind Montclair’s budget was also approved each year by the Essex County superintendent’s office. The problem Montclair had—allegedly—was a BA who fudged the numbers. The auditor and county offices looked at the budgets and no red flags were raised.

In addition to following typical best practices around school budgeting, board member vigilance and knowing what questions to ask are the best ways to assure fidelity in the budget. Once again the NJSBA is your friend.
https://www.njsba.org/topics/school-budget-and-finances/

Candidate forum and election details

On October 25, 2025, a Bloomfield Board of Education Candidate Forum will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Bloomfield Public Library, hosted by Bloomfield Pride, Bloomfield DEI Network, Bengals Connect, Bloomfield for Preschool Expansion, and Bloomfield Restorative Justice Partners. The forum will include a formal period of questions that were sourced from the community, as well as a 45 minute informal meet and greet for community members to meet all of the candidates and ask any additional questions they have.

Election Day is November 4, 2025, and early voting begins today, October 25. More information about in-person and vote-by-mail options can be found here: https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/1541/Voter-Information

The author is a part of Bengals Connect: Inside Bloomfield Schools, a Facebook group for residents of Bloomfield, New Jersey who want to be better informed about how our school district operates. Our goal is to engage in discourse on issues in our district and to take meaningful action to advocate for children in our town. https://www.facebook.com/group...