Wyckoff Board Of Education Candidate Profile: Jim Schappert

WYCKOFF, NJ — Candidates are set for the K-8 Wyckoff School District Board of Education race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the six candidates vying for the three open seats on the Board of Education, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the township's school district.

Jim Schappert is bracketed together with incumbent Louis Cicerchia and another newcomer Juan "Tony" Molina, running under the slogan "Reading, Writing, Arithmetic." The trio is facing another bracketed group comprised of three newcomers.

Here are Schappert's responses:

Name:

Jim Schappert

Age:

63

Town of residence:

Wyckoff

Position sought:

Wyckoff K-8 Board of Education

Family:

Three Children, all grown, and five grandchildren

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers College, Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ)

Occupation:

Senior Director, Management Consulting Firm

Why are you running for this office?

I love the town of Wyckoff and believe everyone needs to give something back when possible. I have lived in Wyckoff for 37 years and raised my three children here – it has been a wonderful run. I have previously served on the Wyckoff Recreation Board for two terms and have coached more than 25 seasons of recreation and travelling sports over my years here. I believe the current ticket I am running on can make a profound difference in the educational experience of Wyckoff students.

What do you feel is the most important issue facing constituents, and what do you intend to do to repair or resolve it?

The impact of remote learning on our students during the pandemic is not fully known. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support a detrimental effect. It is incumbent on parents, guardians, teachers, the community, and the Board of Education to help our students recover from those effects. One way we can do that is to focus our collective efforts on teaching fundamentals like reading, writing and arithmetic through the same proven classroom techniques we used pre-pandemic. Diffusing that effort with politics, curriculum debate and divisive agendas should not be tolerated.

What differentiates you from other candidates?

I have a unique perspective having put my three children through Wyckoff Schools. Today, I do not have children or grandchildren in the Wyckoff Schools and can therefore add my common sense, objective experience as a balancing opinion for the Board as it continues to make decisions that will affect so many students, parents, and the Wyckoff community.

What other issues or ideas do you feel deserve attention?

I would like to explore a potential school security assessment to ensure our schools have appropriate security measures in place.

What accomplishments in your past demonstrates that you are the best candidate for this job?

In addition to being a parent, grandparent, and coach, all of which provide an important, rounded knowledge about children, I have enjoyed a successful career in business which continues to teach me negotiation skills and financial responsibility which will serve us well in the future.

Do you want to tell voters anything else about you or your positions?

We are committed community members, experienced leaders, and are devoted to our families and friends. It would be our honor to serve and support parents/guardians, students, and our Wyckoff community.

We invite residents to learn more about us and our upcoming events by visiting our website, www.123forWyckoffBOE.com, our Facebook page, and Instagram.