Twenty-five candidates have filed to run for a seat to the city’s Board of Education in April, but two of three current board members have chosen not to run.
John Nagel’s and Linda Mayo’s three-year terms will run out in next month, and they did not file as of Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline. Sonia Araujo will try to retain her seat on the nine-member board.
The elections come amid questions over how the state will smooth its transition back to a locally controlled district. Trenton has run the city’s schools since 1989.
Nagel, 41, a manager in the city’s drug and alcohol alliance program, said of his departure, “I wear a lot of hats, and I did a three-year term and I did the best I could. It involves a lot of juggling. I have a young daughter and don’t want to wake up and her be 10 – she’s three now.”
That said, Nagel, who is also the track coach at St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City, has not altogether ruled out a political career. And he hasn’t ruled out running for another office this year. Several mayoral slates have asked him about a possible run for City Council, he said. Nagel has not yet decided whether he would run.
“I’ve been asked by a number of slates,” he said. He’s flattered by the attention he’s gotten. “It’s nice to hear that people have some respect for the things you do,” he said.
Another elected office run may be in the works for Linda Mayo, who is also wrapping up one term on the body. She hinted at “an opportunity for running for another position,” but would not elaborate.
She said the biggest challenge facing the board is the return of the district to local control.
“This year is very critical,” she said. “We’re kind of in limbo right now.”
Nagel echoed her concerns, but said his decision was not prompted by the uncertainty that surrounds the district as the state plans to extract itself from the city. A state-appointed transition team in December recommended a 13-member board comprised of elected and state-confirmed positions. Legislation introduced by assemblyman and Bayonne Mayor Joseph Doria made similar recommendations.
Still, Nagel remains pessimistic about a quick return to city control. Nagel and board members Franklin Williams, Tony Cucci and Bill DeRosa met earlier this year with outgoing education commissioner David Hespe. “There was a good dialogue,” he said, “but it was apparent from my perspective, local control is not imminent.” He said problems with amending the current takeover legislation are a roadblock to the transition.
Joining Araujo in the race are Agnes Ballon, James P. Bolden, Edward Cabrera, Edward Cheatam, Terrence Curran, Brandon Escobar, Nicholas Gerardi, David Hoffman, Sergio Lamboy, Rosalyn McFarland, John Minella, Rhonda Oliver, Ocilean Hargrove-Pitchford, Madeline Rentas, David Rijcart, Salvatore Riggi, Yolanda Rivera, Stella Scuzzese, Patrick G. Stamato, Momtaro Torres, Clifford Wadleigh, Jr., John J. Walsh, Jeffrey Wingarten and Howard Zuzio.
Election is set for April 17, 2001.