Meet The East Hanover Board Of Education Candidates

EAST HANOVER, NJ — East Hanover residents will head to the polls this November to vote on local and regional school board members. Patch caught up with them ahead of the general election.

Michael Filippone, Phil Mattia, Lauren Stephen and Sean Sullivan are all running for two open spots on the local board. Those elected will serve for three years.

We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were given no minimum or maximum word count, and encouraged to write as much as they needed, or to keep the answers brief if they wanted to. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Michael Lomio is also running for a two year unexpired term on the Hanover Park Regional Board of Education. He is running unopposed, and did not return multiple requests for comment.

Michael Filippone, Local Board

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I am a life-long resident of East Hanover and am a product of the East Hanover School system. I have two young children who are starting in the school system, which I believe to be one of the best. East Hanover is a caring community that is centered around the schools and the safety of our children. I currently serve the community as a Police Officer with the East Hanover Police Department and want to serve as a board member to ensure our students continue to have a safe, high quality education.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

Among the many challenges that our schools face, I feel the two biggest are the school budget and bullying. The 2 percent cap in the budget that the schools are allotted continues to be outweighed by the cost of upgrades to our facilities, technology and the security of the schools. I feel the current administrators along with the members of the board have done a tremendous job creatively working together to deal with this challenge and I want to contribute to the continuation of that trend. The second challenge that our schools face is the issue of bullying. While working in Law Enforcement I have watched how this issue has plagued schools nationwide for many years and for me falls right in line with our children feeling safe in our schools. I encourage our schools to continue to work hand in hand with the Police Department in taking a proactive approach in the prevention of bullying.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

1. Accountable
2. Organized
3. Analytical

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My leadership experience began years before receiving my first official leadership role. My parents had me involved in team sports at the age of six and I continued to play into college. I developed many qualities that helped me to become an effective leader through the countless experiences with teammates and important life lessons learned from the many great coaches I played for. In High School I was selected as the captain of our football team and I was excited for the chance to lead my teammates at a young age. Although it was a minor leadership role, I am grateful to have had that opportunity as it made me aspire to want to continue to lead and more importantly made me strive to want to improve in that area. After graduating from the University of Delaware, I returned home and received an invitation from my High School head coach to join him back at Hanover Park to coach football. I only spent one-year coaching because I was fortunate to be hired by the East Hanover Police Department, but I learned in that short time that to be an effective coach it is imperative that you be a good leader. I continue to coach today at the recreation level as I feel it is important to stay involved and provide those same life lessons to our youth.

I currently hold the rank of Sergeant within the Police Department with the responsibility of supervising other police officers and facilitating the administration of the computer systems within the organization. I was also selected as Team Leader of our Emergency Service Unit, which is a position I still hold today. I strongly feel that all of these roles and experiences have helped prepare me to be an effective leader today.

Phil Mattia, Local Board

Why are you running for BOE?

Providing a quality education for our our children, especially at the elementary level, is critical in their development. Research shows that average annual learning in grades K-2 are significantly greater than those for later school years. The outcomes of early elementary education are a powerful predictor of later school and life outcomes. By being on the Board of Ed, I will have the opportunity to ensure the education we provide our children will exceed those needs.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

With the upcoming Mondelez housing development, we will have a large increase of school aged children in our community. I want to ensure we have the additional facilities and resources so our children aren't negatively impacted.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Trustworthy, reliable and driven.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have been working in higher education since 2010. I'm the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University. I am also an adjunct professor in the Department of Marketing. Prior to Montclair State, I worked for Wyndham Worldwide and Dolce Hotels in their corporate offices in sales and marketing positions. I have been a resident of East Hanover for over 30 years and believe my experience in education and the corporate sector are a perfect combination for a Board of Education member.

Lauren Stephen

Why are you running for Board of Education?

I am running for the Board of Education because I believe our schools are the heart and soul of our town. I believe I could contribute invaluably given my experience as a community member, parent, PTA volunteer and teacher.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

School districts are always challenged with keeping up with current curriculum and providing the necessary tools for our teachers, providing safe environments for our students, attracting the best teachers and administrators, and maintaining the trust and respect of the community members. I will work with the Board of Education members to develop plans for all challenges that come our way.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Dedicated, Caring, Kind

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have been involved in the East Hanover PTA for the last 10 years. I have held the position of PTA President for the last 3 years. Previously, I taught grades K- 8 basic skills and special education as well as first grade. As a teacher I served on the negotiating team and assisted in planning inservice days for my district. I am a mother of 3 wonderful children and have lived in East Hanover with my family for 18 years.

Sean Sullivan, Local Board

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I’m running for the BOE again to try and provide continuity as our new superintendent finishes up her first year. I think an experienced Board, which we have, provides a valuable resource to a superintendent that’s new to both the position and the district.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The most pressing short term challenge is to continue to maintain and expand the existing programs and resources we have. This means pressing for fiscal responsibility and supporting the efforts of our administrators and staff. The biggest long term challenge we face is the possibility of significantly expanded enrollment with court mandated development. I’d like to think that the board has built up a level of trust with the community that will allow us to present and explore realistic solutions to solving this challenge, even if that comes at some price to East Hanover.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Brilliant, stunning and humble – once they met me I’d hope they’d settle on thoughtful, polite and (somewhat) funny.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I’ve served on the board for about 15 years and as its President for the last 12 years. Our collaborative group doesn’t need a leader, per se, but there is the requirement to act as the face of the board, so that experience has helped. As a small business owner, there’s always the need to provide guidance and support to employees and to help customers to solve their problems and challenges.

All candidate images submitted by the candidates and used with permission.