2024 NJ School Board Elections: Paterson Candidates Offer Promises for Educational Equity

“NJ Decides 2024”

From promises to actions,  

The 2024 New Jersey School Board election candidates have something to say and a plan to back up their promises of making the school system a better place for equal education and more student resources. 

At a time when community members are deliberating intently on who they feel may guarantee the best results, it is crucial to know these candidates beyond just the surface.

 For example, candidates Nakima Redmon and Hector L. Nieves are both running for the School Board elections in the Paterson public school district.

Nakima Redmon has worked with the Passaic County Board of Social Services for 23 years. She attended the College of New Jersey and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on African American studies. Redmon also serves on the Paterson Historic Preservation Commission and the Passaic Planning Commission.

A Paterson Native who claims to be a strong advocate for change, she aims to ensure that children receive the equal education they deserve while advocating for long-term community investment and prosperity.

Redmon acknowledges the challenges and major issues the Paterson Public School district faces and is ready to tackle them. Once elected, she plans to address aging facilities, which refer to school buildings and infrastructure that have become outdated. She also wants to focus on teacher shortages, filling the adequate student—to—teacher ratio gap, an issue affecting Paterson and many regions.

Although Redmon’s campaign slogan is “A Positive Voice,” she is not the only one who feels that all children deserve a higher and equal education. Candidate Hector L. Nieves, the current Director of Security for the City of Paterson, is committed to improving the school system and ensuring a bright future for the children.

Nieves is also a Paterson native. He started as a youth development specialist and teen outreach coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, focusing on empowering youth and providing them with essential resources and support. As the city’s Director of Security, he aims to ensure the safety and security of all residents.

His deep commitment to improving and providing a bright future for children is why he is running for the Board of Education. Nieves believes every child deserves access to a high-quality educator who will prepare them for success. His goal is to ensure that the schools meet the highest quality standards and leave a lasting impact on all students while shaping their future.

 Nieves is aware that it won’t be an easy race, and he knows issues within the school board need to be addressed. That’s why one of his campaigns focuses on prioritizing increased funding and resources for schools that need it.

 For Nieves, the goal is to engage parents and the community to help build a stronger educational foundation for the children, best captured through his campaign slogan: “Empowering Every Child.”

 Both candidates have strong opinions about the school system and the potential impact their policies may have. To find out more about these candidates or the candidates in your area or your district, the 24 NJ School Board voter guide briefly describes each candidate running for this year’s election.