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The following bio is courtesy of Jersey City Families for Better Schools.

William DeRosa

RESUME

Graduate of the Jersey City School District Public School # 30 Elementary School and Henry Snyder High School.

Graduate of New Jersey City University ( Jersey City State College ). Received both BA and MA degrees.

Social Studies teacher in Lincoln High School for 34 years. Social Studies Department Chairperson for 12 years at Lincoln High School.

Retired from the Jersey City Public Schools in 1998.
Elected to the Jersey City Board of Education in 2000.
Re-elected in 2003 and 2006.
President of the Jersey City Board of Education for the past 7 years.

President of the Hudson County Retired Educators Association (HCREA ) since 1999.

Married to Anita Russoniello DeRosa
Daughters: Lisa DeRosa Fabrizio and Dina DeRosa Kincel.
Grandfather of 6: Triplets Gabriella, Zachary, and Matthew Fabrizio
Owen Kincel and Twins Lucas and Madelyn Kincel.

  1. Identify two strengths and two weaknesses of the Jersey City Public Schools. How should these weaknesses be remedied and these strengths reinforced?
      Strengths:
    • Extremely successful Early Childhood Program.
    • Mc Nair Academic High School is nationally ranked for academic excellence.
      Weaknesses:
    • The need for better communications between parents and the school district leaders.
    • To strive to make all of our school facilities safe and secure for students and staff.
  2. The new school funding formula presents the Jersey City Public Schools with serious financial challenges. How do you propose to overcome the projected cut in state funding?
    1. Reduce the cost of consultants to the district.
    2. Continue to seek additional sources of funding. For example federal, state and private grants.
    3. Reduce the cost of out of district placements for Special Education students.
    4. Evaluate every district program and discontinue those initiatives which prove to be unsuccessful.
  3. Do you support any form of school choice? What is your position on charter schools, magnet schools, vouchers, or district-run independent schools? Charter Schools are Public Schools. I am a Public School advocate. Unfortunately, the pool of money for charter schools and our district is limited. Approximately 35 million dollars go to the many charter schools in our city. In effect, we compete for the same funding source. There should be some interaction between charter schools and the Jersey City Public School District on all levels, especially coordinating Individual Educational Plans (IEP) for Special Education students.