Hackensack voters elected two new members to the school board on April 15, with one incumbent failing to gain a second term. First-time candidate Jeanne Dressler was voted in with 668 votes, narrowly outpacing incumbent Francisco Rodriguez, who garnered 664 votes. Dressler and Rodriguez, who was elected in 2005, ran on the same slate.

Attorney Jonathan Gilmore was elected with 679 votes, while incumbent Carolyn Hayer, an education activist, was re-elected with 788 votes.

Hackensack police detective Niles A. Malvasia Sr., who ran on the same ticket as Dressler and Rodriguez, was defeated, along with Rachel A. Germoso and Barbara Slater-Kilgore.

Besides voting for the successful board candidates, voters also approved the school district’s $81.7 million budget by a 731-492 margin, or 59.8 percent to 40.2 percent. The budget figure includes an almost $58.8 million tax levy.

Close to 24 percent of the city’s 17,772 registered voters came out for the school board election.

Gilmore lays out his lesson plan

Gilmore, 42, assistant general counsel and vice president at Metromedia Company in downtown Hackensack, gained a seat on the board after he was defeated in his first try last year.

"It’s important to be independent of thought," he said, examining the reason for his success the second time around. "The board needs independent thinkers who are ready for change. The board is not as transparent as it should be, and we have to get the community more involved."

There are several important school personnel changes facing the board in the months ahead. Superintendent Joseph Montesano is retiring at the end of the school year, along with Assistant Superintendent Charles Jones. Montesano has served as superintendent since 1994.

Gilmore noted the importance of finding solid candidates to fill the outgoing officials’ shoes.

"We should search far and wide for the best candidates possible," he said. "I’m not against a national search to do this."

Gilmore believes that whoever ultimately takes the reins of Hackensack’s school system should place a greater focus on middle school students.

"These kids need direction to be able to take on the rigors of high school and beyond," said Gilmore, the father of son Kayin, 8, a second grader at Fairmount School, and son Amar, 14, an eighth grader at Hackensack Middle School with wife Yvette.

"The core math and English skills that they need are very important, but we also have to get them prepared for college and for their careers. A lot of kids in Hackensack think that they can’t afford college, but that isn’t necessarily so, considering the financial aid programs and grants that are available. We have to get our students educated, motivated and excited about their futures."

Dressler ready to learn as she goes

Dressler, 53, is excited about holding elected office for the first time.

"I’m still in shock," said Dressler, a homemaker who lives in the Fairmount section with husband Raymond. Their sons Steven, 29, and Joseph, 26, are both graduates of Hackensack High School. "I’m really happy about getting the chance to serve on the board."

Dressler also believes that the selection of the next superintendent is one of the most important priorities facing the board.

"I get sworn in on April 29, and I’ll start looking at resumes right afterwards," she said. "Hackensack is a very diverse place, and we need to find the best candidate who can deal with this diversity. If we have to look outside our immediate area to find a candidate like that, then we should do it."

Now that she is about to take her place on the board, Dressler is prepared to take a close look at the budget, work to balance the curriculum and try to enhance the different types of technology available in the classroom. She is also ready for a whole new round of education for herself.

"I’m new at this," she said. "I’ll be learning on the job everyday."