JERSEY CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION’S BOARD MEMBERS
Vidya Gangadin
President
vidyagangadin@jcboe.org
Vidya Gangadin is a long time resident of Jersey City.
Ms Gangadin has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and works in the private sector over 20 plus years as a Financial Analyst and Operations Manager. Ms Gangadin is a very active parent of four children currently attending public schools. Prior to her election she was the Vice President of Parent Teacher’s Partnership, Member of the School Leadership Committee, Member of the Citywide Parent Advisory at Academy I Middle School and Member of the Jersey City Coalition of PTO.
Ms Gangadin has a vested interest in public schools and believes in quality education for all children. Her Motto is We need to provide excellent educational experiences and services to inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, and to care. Our children deserve nothing less than the best.
Marilyn Roman
Vice President
marilynroman@jcboe.org
Marilyn Roman is a widow with two sons and six grandchildren. She is an educator with more than 40 years experience in teaching, supervision and administration, 32 years of which were in the Jersey City Public Schools. She taught in two of the parochial schools in Jersey City for a period of five years. She also taught at PS 41 for approximately twelve years as well as PS 34 for a year and PS 9 for two. Mrs. Roman was an elementary supervisor for the Jersey City Public School District for seven years, and with a supervisory colleague, wrote and secured the planning grant for the creation of the first preschool program in the Jersey City Public Schools.
Mrs. Roman was a Director of the Education Business Alliance in the JCPS with responsibilty for the creation and implementation of the magnet school small learning communities, and training and internship partnerships with large and small businesses throughout the city such as Merrill Lynch, Pershing Corporation, Provident Bank, and Hyatt Hotels among others.
Mrs. Roman worked closely with board colleagues, city and county government, unions, and other partners to secure grants to increase the experience base of the students in our programs. She has worked with colleges and other institutions of learning throughout the state to secure opportunities and coursework for students.
Mrs. Roman was the Director of Special Projects for 5 1/2 years for the Hudson County Schools of Technology and worked on several boards throughout the city and county over a numer of years, which enhanced her ability to function according to the proper decorum and procedure.
Sangeeta Ranade
sangeetaranade@jcboe.org
Sangeeta Ranade is a Director at Limehouse Partners, a sustainability and energy efficiency consulting firm. She specializes in starting up energy programs for government agencies and utilities.
At the JCBOE she chairs the Facilities committee. Prior to her election to the Board, Sangeeta was Vice President of the Parent Teacher Association at her daughter’s school where she championed the expansion of the Dual Language Program.
Sangeeta has her MBA in Finance and Master of Science in Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from Northwestern University. Her children attend the Jersey City Public Schools.
Micheline Amy
michelineamy@jcboe.org
Micheline Amy is Human Resources Director with eBay Inc., an active member of the Journal Square Community as well as a wife and mother of two school-aged children.
A graduate of Salisbury University, Micheline began her career in television production, before moving to human resources where she has been helping job seekers and employees reach their potential for over 15 years.
As a member of the JCBOE, Micheline will chair the Talent committee.
Jessica Daye
jessicadaye@jcboe.org
Jessica Daye, a Jersey City native, is the Educational Advocacy Coordinator at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, a nonprofit civil rights law firm, where she promotes and protects the educational rights of students with emotional, developmental, and physical disabilities in New York City schools. She is a wife and mother of two young daughters, the older of whom attends Jersey City public schools.
A graduate of our public schools (P.S. 16 & McNair), Jessica is fluent in Spanish and English, and has master’s degrees in psychological counseling and education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
As a member of the JCBOE, Jessica will be Equity/Excellence Liaison, with her focus on special education.
Ellen Simon
ellensimon@jcboe.org
Ellen Simon is a freelance financial writer who previously worked at The Associated Press and The Star-Ledger. She is a wife and mother of a child who attends a JCPS school.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Ellen is co-founder of Parents for Progress, which works for excellent schools for every child in Jersey City. As a member of the JCBOE, Ellen will be media and community relations liaison.
OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS:
Gerald Lyons
geraldlyons@jcboe.org
Gerald Lyons is in his 28th year as an educator with County Prep High School of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, having six teaching certifications and a Master’s in Education. He was previously a JCBOE Board Member from 2012 until 2014, chairing the Special Education committee and functioning as the Hudson County Vice-President of the NJ School Board Association.
He runs three clubs at County Prep and is a member of many local groups including the JC Rotary Club, JC Kiwanis Club, JC University Club, JC Homeless Advocacy Group, and the Friends of Leonard Gordon Park, where he serves as treasurer.
He looks forward to working with the entire Board, administration, employees of the district, and members of the community to make our schools the best that they can be and he invites you to participate in this process.
Joel Torres
joeltorres@jcboe.org
Joel Torres, born and raised in Jersey City, is the father of three children who currently attend a local public school. Professionally, he is the Senior Coordinator and Policy Advisor for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), a countywide volunteer group focusing on decreasing and preventing underage drinking and substance use/abuse, based out of Essex County, New Jersey. He is also a community activist involved in issues including, but not limited to, education, Autism, health and senior services, and support services for Latino children and families throughout Jersey City.
Joel graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health and a minor in Latin American & Latino Studies with Summa Cum Laude Honors from Montclair State University (MSU). In May 2014, he received his Masters of Arts in Public and Organizational Relations from MSU.
In addition, he served as the President of the Alfred E. Zampella PS #27 Parent Teacher Association. As President, Joel worked hard to bring resources to the school community, including private and public grants, Christmas gifts for the students, and meals for disadvantaged families. He also advocated on a local- and state-level for much needed modifications and improvements to the school facility.
Lorenzo Richardson
lorenzorichardson@jcboe.org
Lorenzo Richardson was born and raised in Jersey City in the Montgomery Gardens Housing Projects where he learned early on that the key to success is a good education and to use that education to help others.
He attended PS#9 Kennedy School, graduated 3rd in his Class at James J. Ferris High School and was voted Most Likely to Succeed and Best All-Around Student. He earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Accounting from Saint Peter’s College (now Saint Peter’s University) and was active in student government and the community during his studies. Mr. Richardson is currently an Accountant with over 20 years experience, and is a member of several Professional Organizations.
Since college, he has and continues to mentor youth, serve in his church and community, teach Financial and Technology Literacy and promote Basic Literacy through book distributions for low income children. His passion for equitable education has spanned 14 years with advocacy on the local, state and national levels.
His success by God’s grace compels him to challenge the Jersey City Board of Education on doing the right thing for the children. He clearly understands that Education is the key to rise from poverty and ignorance and shows you the path to your purpose.