Watch The Entire Secaucus School Board Candidates' Forum

SECAUCUS, NJ — About 30 people were in the audience Thursday night for the Secaucus "Meet the Candidates for School Board" forum, held from 7-9 p.m. at the PAC.

The Secaucus school district recorded the forum Q&A and uploaded it to its YouTube channel. The questions were asked by Don Evanson, who lives in Harmon Cove Towers and publishes the Secaucus Spectator newsletter. Here it is in its entirety:

Seven candidates are running for three seats on the school board. Running are: Audry Yule, Valerie Giraldo, Melissa Howard, Monica Berckes, Tatiana Geller, Gerry Lyons and Jamie Fisher.

Some of the biggest topics the board discussed tonight were:

• The need for Secaucus to hire a good, lasting superintendent who will stay for at least five years and has long-term vision for the district.
• Why are so many teachers leaving the Secaucus school district, particularly in the middle 7-8 years after they are first hired?
• How to get more vo-tech training back in Secaucus schools.
• How to improve test scores after COVID learning loss. Secaucus students are currently 52 percent proficient in reading, and 40 percent proficient in math.
• How will each candidate prepare for more students coming into Secaucus schools as new housing is built in town?
• Multiple Board members, but most notably Melissa Howard, said special-needs students should not all have to go to Clarendon. They should go to the schools they are zoned to attend so they can be with their friends.

Here Are All 7 Secaucus School Board Candidate Profiles, including whether or not they support redistricting, which will be brought back up again in 2025.

The election will be Nov. 5, but you can vote early in person at the Secaucus Rec Center starting Saturday, from Oct. 26 - Nov. 3. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. There is also mail-in voting.