OUR BOARD MEMBERS

A Message from William DeRosa, Jersey City Board of Education President

Your Jersey City Board of Education is comprised of nine, hard-working individuals elected by the residents of Jersey City. We work as advocates for our children and families, act as advisors to the Superintendent and the schools’ administrators, and serve as liaisons between the schools and the people of our community. We are elected to three-year terms, and fulfill our responsibilities without benefit of pay or other compensation.

This past year, we have been able to affect many exciting achievements and changes for the Jersey City Public Schools, including the opening of the Franklin L. Williams Middle School #7 and our pending return to home rule.

Under State control, the Board approved policies and budgets. With home rule, we will actually establish and approve these items under the constraints of the laws and policies of the New Jersey State Board of Education.

Through this website, we will continue to update you on our progress in re-attaining home rule and the other great things that are happening here in the Jersey City Public Schools.

On behalf of all of the Members of the Jersey City Board of Education, I invite you to attend and participate in our monthly meetings, to watch our meetings and the students’ programming on our cable TV channel, JC 1, and to keep in touch with us either at meetings or through this website.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

L. Terry Dehere, Jersey City Board of Education Vice President

Mr. L. Terry Dehere is the youngest member of the Board of Education and that has proven to be a major plus for the Board and the community at large. Mr. Dehere was elected last year and has made a direct contribution in focusing on the district’s extra-curricular activities. In fact, he has been named to chair the new sub-committee of the Board of Education.

As a former all-star basketball player from Seton Hall, he has exhibited a deep concern for high school and middle school students and the need for structured after-school activities. Mr. Dehere has focused on preparing high school students, especially athletes, to have the necessary SAT preparation. He has been focusing on “showcasing” our students’ talents with all-star games that would attract college coaches and for possible athletic scholarships.

Mr. Dehere is a business entrepreneur in the City and has brought a sense of business expertise to the educational world. He serves on the Legal and Affirmative Action Committees and is the Urban Affairs Alternate Delegate.

Dr. Peter J. Donnelly has spent virtually his entire life in education, and in retirement has dedicated himself to the education of the children of Jersey City.

Dr. Donnelly spent his early years as a teacher, then moved on to the college scene where he rose to the rank of Dean at New Jersey City University. He has brought a unique combination of educating students at the K-12 level and the needs of students going on to college.

Dr. Donnelly was elected to the Board of Education in 2005, but also had served as liaison to the Board for two years prior to his election. The Board of Education has taken advantage of Dr. Donnelly’s educational background. He is the Chairperson of the Educational Programs Committee and is a member of the Special Education Committee.

Mrs. Suzanne T. Mack personifies the dedication, the commitment of time and the personal concern for the students of our district. Ms. Mack has been a Board of Education member since 1996 and has served on various committees. She has brought a diverse background to the Board, including that of a parent who saw her son graduate with a Jersey City diploma.
Throughout her term, Ms. Mack has been very active at the school level, interfacing with parents and staff for the betterment of the entire school district.

For the past few years, Ms. Mack has been chairperson of the Facilities Committee, a committee that encompasses all the existing schools and buildings in the District, planning for new schools with the focus on health and safety factors in schools. For many years, she has been chairperson of the Special Education committee, and she also serves on the Finance Committee. Her years of experience in Municipal government has enabled her to bring another perspective to the entire Board of Education.

Dr. Frances O. Thompson was sworn in as a member of the Board in April 2008. Dr. Thompson comes to the Board with a strong commitment to the community, and the knowledge and skills to assist in providing for their needs. A lifelong Jersey City resident and a former Councilperson (she was the first African-American woman ever elected to that office), Dr. Thompson has served as the Director of the Hudson County Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise for the past fifteen years.

Dr.. Thompson graduated from Jersey City Public Schools, holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Rutgers University, and received her doctorate in September from Capella University in organizational management. Her professional experience is certain to be an asset to the Board’s Legal Committee.

Mr. Gerald McCann was elected in 2007 and has brought to the Board of Education a comprehensive public service background in municipal government, accounting and educational matters.

Mr. McCann has not only served on the Jersey City City Council, but has also served as Mayor of this City. He is very versed in municipal government matters and how they intertwine with Board of Education matters.

Mr. McCann has a broad background in accounting which is an asset as a Board of Education member. He serves on the Educational Programs and Special Education Committees.

Mr. Angel L. Valentin was elected to the Board of Education in 2005 after serving two years as a liaison to the Board of Education. Mr. Valentin has given the Board of Education a totally different perspective - as the parent of a son who attends Ferris High School and a daughter who attends Princeton University, he has the direct pulse of the children in the schools.

Mr. Valentin also has been active in a number of community activities and serves as the chairperson of the Affirmative Action Committee.

Sean Connors was born and raised in Jersey City. Sean attended P.S. # 20 and St. Paul’s Grammar School.  He is a graduate of Hudson Catholic High School and attended HCCC for a year before joining the Hudson County Police Department.  Sean is a member of the Jersey City Police Force and was promoted to the rank of detective in 2002. He is currently the Chief of Staff to the police director and oversees community relations. Sean also is a sponsor in several Little Leagues throughout Jersey City.

Sean is determined to make a difference in the future of our school system and would like to see a new high school established, one that is “state-of-the-art.”