Dear Editor:
Despite some recent progress, our schools are failing our children and our taxpayers. We have one of the most expensive districts in the state and one of the worst performing. Recent audit results uncovered twelve instances of fiscal irregularity while test scores failed state standards in 9 of 14 categories.
The goal of the Hoboken Board of Education should be nothing less than to create one of the best school systems in the state. Change is desperately needed and will require trustees to have a proven track record of success dealing with multi-million dollar budgets and creating world-class organizations. Trustees must be unbiased, hard working, honest, and more interested in implementing policy than playing politics. We need board members who will work to provide the best education for every child regardless of whether that child is rich, poor, “born and raised”, or “just-arrived”.
After moving to Hoboken in 1997, I volunteered to tutor third graders at Connors School who needed help in math and reading. Shortly afterward, I started a volunteer-run charity called Party With Purpose to raise awareness and funds for local charities dedicated to improving the lives of our children. Over the past seven years, Party With Purpose has donated almost $200,000 to build computer centers, administer tutoring, serve meals, and provide safe places for our kids to learn and grow. Although I have not been blessed with children of my own yet, I feel I have many “adopted” kids in our community at places like the Boys and Girls Club where I have been
actively involved as a board member for the past six years. I believe I have the community and business experience to help the board make the necessary changes. My business career has consisted of work in education, finance, human resources, technology, and management. I recently served as president of a N.J. based Internet technology and marketing firm which grew to employ 150 people. Our company worked hard to create a great work environment that rewarded innovation, results, and efficiency. As a self-funded company, it was important for us to manage to a budget and we were adept at leveraging technology to become more effective. Our company had the distinct honor of being one of the “Fastest Growing Companies in N.J.” and “Best Places to Work” in the U.S. I believe the lessons learned during my eight years at the company can help us modernize and improve our schools while creating a fantastic work environment for teachers and administrators.
In closing, I hope you provide me with the opportunity to dedicate my time, energy and experience to the board. I promise to be objective, fair, and hard working until we create the school system our kids deserve. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you to answer any questions you have regarding my candidacy. I am available anytime at(201)988-7175 or via email at sdelea@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Scott Delea