Years resident: Montvale native; moved back to the borough three years ago

Occupation: English and theater teacher at Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School

Education: Dual bachelor’s degree in English and theater; Master's degree in teaching; currently pursuing an administrative certificate

Prior service on BOE: None

Other elected office: None

Community involvement: Acts and writes for the Bergen County Players theater troupe in Oradell; director of school plays, movie club advisor and yearbook advisor at Ramapo Indian Hills

Family: Husband, Christopher; Newborn daughter, Caitlin

Buckley, who recently gave birth to her first child, said that she is running for a seat on the BOE “to get involved and understand the school system before my daughter becomes a student. I’m really passionate about education, probably because of my background as a teacher.

She said that if elected, she would aim to build strong relationship between the BOE and other bodies, including the administration, the faculty and parents. Additionally, she will work to maintain class sizes.

“Because I’ve worked in virtually every area of the school system – I’ve been a teacher for seven years, I’m going to be a parent and I’m studying to become an administrator – I know the business of education.” 

Years resident: 14

Occupation: Runs a hedge fund

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics

Prior service on BOE: Member for the past three years

Other elected office: None

Community involvement: Coaches various youth sports teams; softball coordinator

Family: Wife, Rachele; Daughter, Christina, a sixth grader at Fieldstone Middle School, and triplets, Alexandra, Salvatore and Domenick, third graders at Memorial Elementary School

Campana said he is running for reelection because he has “a vested interest in seeing our schools stay the way they are: I have four children in the school system.”

Campana said he believes the board has made considerable progress since his election, particularly in the realm of finance.

“We have aimed to keep costs low while maximizing our return,” said Campana, who has served on the finance committee since his election. He is currently committee chairman. “Our taxes are approximately $1,500 less than surrounding towns,” he said, citing a study conducted by Business Administrator Marian Latz in preparing the 2008-2009 budget.

Campana is also an advocate of small class sizes and states that one of his strengths is making his views heard despite the existence of what he believes is a “very divided” board.

“I moved to Montvale for a good community and a good school system,” he said. “I represent a faction of our town that wants to continue excellence.”

Years resident: 15 years

Occupation: Pilates instructor; formerly an elementary school teacher and a nursery school art teacher

Educational background: B.S. Fine Art from University of Wisconsin , Madison

Prior service on the BOE: Member for the past three years

Other elected office: President of the Montvale Educational Foundation (MEF) for two years and MEF secretary for two years

Community involvement: Montvale Athletic League soccer coach for nine years, softball coach for five years, team mother for four years, snack stand supervisor for three years; member of Montvale Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), initiating “Box Tops for Education,” and acting as International Day presenter and cook for five years, class mom for six years, Curiosity Workshop volunteer science teacher for two years; yearbook advisor at Fieldstone Middle School for four years; member of Pascack Hills High School’s Strategic Planning Community Committee 2008; formerly a representative to the United Federation of Teachers

Family: Husband, Chett A. Friedman; sons Lance T., a junior at Pascack Hills High School , and Jordan M., a freshman at Pascack Hills High School

Friedman joked that she is running for reelection “because I’m a glutton for punishment” before adding, “I really love being a member of the board. I’m very interested in the direction of education in the town. I want to continue what I started in the past three years.”

She said that her proudest accomplishment is enforcing existing policies and establishing a strong role for the BOE in the educational process. “It was unclear that the administration was under the guidance of the board. To make the board more responsible, that was my goal. I do think we have been much more influential and made the administration more accountable. It’s something I want to continue.”

Friedman also said that combating ill effects of No Child Left Behind will be one of her goals if she is reelected. “We are testing at the expense of the joy of education. We take so much time to worry about scores. I believe in a real push toward extra-curricular activities.

“I’m not a one-issue candidate,” she continued. “For three years I’ve invested hundreds of hours. To throw that all away is a waste of taxpayers money.” 

Years resident: 10

Occupation: Account manager

Education: Bachelor's degree in international business

Prior service on BOE: None.

Other office: Co-president of MEF for two years and currently MEF secretary

Community involvement: Class mom; PTO volunteer

Family: Husband, Jim; Sons, John, a third grader at Memorial Elementary School , and Andrew, a kindergartner at Memorial

Gifas said that she is running for a seat on the BOE because she thinks she can offer insight into alternative spending, and saving, practices as well as help to facilitate camaraderie between board members.

“I think that my background at work – getting people to come to a consensus and consulting with companies on budgets – those skills would help the board of education,” she said. “I want to be able to help [the BOE] maximize the budget and get the most out of the money that we can.”

She said that if elected, maintaining small class sizes and expanding technology, particularly the use of interactive whiteboards, would be her priorities.

“My background will allow me to help the board see things from a different perspective,” she said. “The board has done a lot of good. [But] I think they need new faces.” 

Years resident: 10

Occupation: Information analyst

Education: Associate degree in applied science

Prior service on BOE: None

Other elected office: MEF treasurer for two years

Community involvement: Member of MEF for three years; co-den leader for her son’s Cub Scout den

Family: Husband, Keith; Son, Eric, a third grader at Memorial Elementary School and daughter, Katia, a kindergartner at Memorial

Skoog said that she is running for a seat on the BOE because of a growing “interest in how the schools are doing,” particularly in preparing students for life outside the classroom.

“In today’s world, we really need to step up technology,” said Skoog, who was involved in the Montvale Education Foundation’s initiative to raise money for interactive white boards.

She also wants to maintain class sizes and improve the relationship between parents and teachers so that parents are able to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom.

“I think our school system is a good school system, but there is room for improvement,” she said. “I think I’m very dedicated. I don’t take things lightly. I’m going to learn the business of the board and be an active participant.”

Skoog said this is a promise regardless of the election’s outcome.

“Either way, I’ll be there,” she said. “I told them [BOE members], they’ll either see me sitting across from them or next to them. One way or another, I’ll be there.”