Long Branch School Board Candidates' Forum Oct. 22

LONG BRANCH, NJ — There are eight candidates running this November for four seats on the Long Branch Board of Education.

The election will be the same day as the presidential, Nov. 5.

The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Guild of Greater Long Branch announced this week they will host a school board candidates' Q&A forum on Oct. 22. You do not need to RSVP or register; open to all.

"The forum will allow members of our community to meet and hear candidates’ platforms, ask questions and determine whose ideas, vision, experience and expertise will best serve the interests of our children and our schools," said organizers.

The forum will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 (a Tuesday) at the Portuguese Club of Long Branch, located at 191 Broadway.

This will be a two-hour program with a timekeeper.

The anticipated agenda for the evening is as follows (all times are approximate):

1. Welcome (1 min)

2. Introduction of the moderator (1 min) It has not been revealed who the moderator will be.

3. Introduction of the candidates and review of the forum guidelines by moderator (5 min)

4. 3-minute presentation by each candidate on their backgrounds and why they are running (20 minutes)

5. Moderator: Question and answer period. (Each candidate will be given 2-3 questions to answer about public education and the board. These questions will be sent in advance to each candidate one week before the forum. Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to each question. Candidates may answer the same questions or may be asked different questions, but each will be given equal time to present their point of view. (40-45 min)

6. Audience: Question and answer period: Only written questions from the audience will be accepted.(5x7 cards will be provided to members of the community who wish to submit a question). Candidates will have 1 minute to respond. The audience may direct questions to all candidates or individuals. The Moderator will decide what audience questions will be asked. (30 minutes)

7. 90-second wrap-up by each candidate.(10 minutes)

If there is time, members of the public may also mingle with the candidates after the forum.

Please contact Marcia Brown, Esq., Forum Coordinator/Moderator at 201-704-4669 or via email at marciawilsonbrown@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Here's who's running for Long Branch school board in 2024: (vote for three)

• Joseph Ferraina
• Raymond Garland
• Violeta Peters
• Julio A. Rivas
• Jon R Zimmerman
• Michael Zimmerman

Candidates for one-year unexpired term (vote for one)

• Dominic Sama
• Jason DeSantis

The MLK Jr Guild was founded in Long Branch in August 1968. The Guild’s mission is to support Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy by working toward a more just and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their race, ability, religion or background. Through our annual KING Day services, scholarships, and community service programs, the GUILD seeks to bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit all the people in our communities.

Who's Running For Long Branch Board Of Education This Year? (Aug. 9, 2024)