BAYONNE – Michael Alonso, chairman of Bayonne School Board Choice, filed a special motion in Superior Court on Friday, April 25, to change the school board in Bayonne from an appointed one to an elected one.
“The people of Bayonne have a constitutional right to vote for the members of Bayonne’s school board, just like voters have in other towns across America, and in every other city in Hudson County, ” Alonso said.
Alonso said that he started the elected school board movement to improve the educational system and help students learn.
“I have been leading the fight to bring Bayonne an elected school board for over two years so as to empower parents, teachers, and taxpayers,” he said.
Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith said he is open minded regarding an elected school board should the public want it.
“I’m not opposed to an elected school board,” Smith said. “Should the petitioners be successful in getting the matter on the ballot, then the people will decide. I support having the issue decided by the people, not the courts.”
Alonso is also an independent candidate for the Third Ward Council seat in the city’s municipal elections on May 13. – Joseph Passantino
Bayonne resident takes elected school board initiative to court
