Unlike the last few school board elections in West New York, the Nov. 3 race for three seats appears to be less overshadowed by outside political conflicts, and more about the candidates who are running. Eight candidates are seeking to fill three seats for three-year terms.
Barring last minute changes, the candidates are Lorena E. Portillo, Matthew F. Cheng, Wendell Oms, Almer J. Martins Casadiego, Jonathan Castaneda, Boris J. Gresely, Ronald C. Scheurle and Benita C. Parets.
Mayor Felix Roque has endorsed the Children First slate, which includes current board members Lorena Portillo, Almer Martins-Casadiego, and Jonathan Castañeda.
But for the most part, other commissioners and prominent political people have kept from openly endorsing candidates. Candidates have largely raised their own funds in an attempt to be seen as independents.
Gresely and Scheurle are sometimes seen as critics of the Roque Administration.
Former Freeholder Jose Munoz, who backed candidates in the past, said he refrained from supporting candidates this time.
“This is a relatively quiet election,” he said.
“This is a relatively quiet election.” – Freeholder Jose Munoz
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“Count Wiley (Roque’s former adversary) and I have resolved our differences,” Roque said.
In the past, former Commissioner Wiley had backed anti-Roque candidates for Board of Education.
The Children First slate
Jonathan Castaneda is a graduate of Memorial High School in West New York. He attended Seton Hall University. In the past, he has worked in the legislative offices of both U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D – NJ) and Rep. Albio Sires (D – 8th Dist.). A Seton Hall University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in diplomacy and international relations, he also has a master’s degree in public administration. A fellow and president to the New York Chapter of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Alumni Association, he also served on an advisory board at Hudson County Community College.
As a member of the Children First Team, he is running with Almer J. Martins Casadiego, also a graduate of Memorial High School. Martins-Casadiego attended Ramapo College of New Jersey where he focused on international studies and political science, and is employed at Hudson County Protective Services where he is a case worker.
Lorena E. Portillo, the third member of Children First ticket, is the former owner of a daycare center. She is the mother of two children in the school district.
Portillo moved to the U.S. from El Salvador at age 17 before earning her bachelor’s of business administration at Kean University, worked as a hospital administrator before opening a daycare, and served as vice president and coordinator of Educational Programs for the Salvadorian Community Organization.
The group is running on a platform that includes efforts to encourage community participation in education; embrace the new “inclusive ‘STEM’ educational model,” a math and science system of learning; and to support educators and expand programs and activities for children.
The independent candidates
Matthew Cheng ran a successful campaign in the Board of Education election for a one-year term in early 2014. His victory was seen at the time by opposition forces as a litmus test on Mayor Roque and a rejection of the policies of his previously-appointed board.
Cheng has previously provided evidence to the School Ethics Commission alleging ethical breaches that included alleged political influence in the school district.
Those who support Cheng called him a “watchdog” on the Board of Education. He is a successful businessman and founder/principal of eCoupons, Inc. of West New York.
Wendell Oms has been a local police officer since 2003. Born in Hoboken, Oms graduated from St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School in West New York. Oms holds a degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University and was a state corrections officer before joining the West New York Police Department. He has been active in amateur boxing matches that raised funds for various charities.
Boris J. Gresely graduated from the West New York school system and Syracuse University, where he said he was exposed to a variety of people and ideas about education. Many of his fellow students came from more affluent families. He has a BA in political science with a minor in policy studies. But he has an interest in continuing his education in the area of law. He said he is concerned about the significant dropout rate of low income students, and would like to focus attention in improving college preparation for high school students.
Ronald C. Scheurle owns the Charles W. Scheurle Funeral Home that has operated in West New York since 1912. He is seen by some as a spokesperson for the business community, and has been a persistent critic of the Roque Administration’s polices over the last few years. He has frequently appeared at various public meetings, raising questions about finance, hiring freezes, and other matters.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.