Election Editorial

This year, the New Jersey Attorney General took school boards to court to stop them from alerting parents about whether their child is suffering from gender confusion or other sexual identity issues.

In Wayne, during a formal Board of Education meeting, current board member former and past board president, Cathy Kazan, asked residents not to vote for a pro-parent candidate for the board. Her target was a parent who two years ago spoke in support of another parent who was concerned about the age-appropriateness of a book entitled Gender Queer. Her use of her board platform during a board meeting raised ethical concerns among the parents present.

Ms. Kazan is not running for re-election this year. Rather, her buddy, former board member Suzanne Pudup, is running instead. Pudup, who was defeated for re-election last year, was Kazan's vice president when the concerned parent was stopped from speaking in 2021.

Later that year, Kazan and Pudup refused to attend a key October board meeting in order to defeat the quorum. More than 100 parents and teachers were stood up that evening by the Kazan/Pudup team. A unique opportunity for both sides to hear each other's concerns was missed.

Now more than ever, Wayne parents, and those throughout New Jersey, need a voice. Fortunately, three pro-parent candidates are running in Wayne in tomorrow's election. They are Wendy Limandri in the #2 ballot position, Mark Faber in the #3 slot, and veteran board member Don Pavlak in the #5 spot. Limandri and Faber are bracketed on the ballot running over the slogan CHILDREN FIRST! 

#2  Wendy Limandri , #3  Mark Faber, and #5  Don Pavlak

Ms. Limandri is a registered nurse well known for her commitment to working with those needing acute care. Her father is a retired educator who served for nearly 40 years as a teacher and administrator in the Paterson school system. Wendy has lived in Wayne for 25 years and sent both of her two daughters through Wayne schools. She is also thrilled to have a two-year-old grandson. She has spoken up many times in school board meetings to express the concerns of parents.

Mark Faber is a consultant to several leading international financial corporations. He and his wife Marie are the proud parents of four daughters, all of whom are attending Wayne schools. His financial expertise and involvement in large scale private sector projects will contribute mightily to a school district facing a growing student population.

Don Pavlak is a lifelong Wayne resident and served as a policeman in town. He has served on the Board of Education for many years and deeply understands both the town and the school system. He is not a radical ideologue and brings a commonsense approach to a board that needs it.  He will be especially helpful on the issues of growth and physical plant.

Wendy and Mark have pledged to require transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and academic excellence. They both believe in putting children first and keeping politics out of the classroom. They look ahead to curricula that are age-appropriate and are fashioned with input from those most affected by the educational system -- the parents and the students. Don looks forward to planning for the future of a dynamic school system.

Wendy Limandri #2, Mark Faber #3, and Don Pavlak #5 are precisely the kinds of voices that are needed in New Jersey and in Wayne. They will make great members of the Wayne Board of Education. We urge you to vote for them and to tell your friends and neighbors to do the same.