Part 2 of this summary is presented here today:
Here’s how each of the five candidates responded regarding support for the $241 M facilities plan in 2022:
Elizabeth “Lizy” Velez: Supported the referendum (voted in favor) but criticized the lack of community feedback.
Antonio Graña: Supported the referendum as a private citizen prior to joining the board.
Leslie Norwood: Voted in favor of the referendum, while noting the process was flawed and needed better community participation.
Laura Block: Fully supported the 2022 plan and emphasized the need to upgrade facilities for the growing student population.
Tim Smith: Did not support continuing with the same approach, citing the community’s clear rejection of the 2022 referendum.
So, in summary: Velez, Graña, Norwood, and Block supported the 2022 plan; Smith opposed it.
Here’s what each candidate conveyed—explicitly or implicitly—about Superintendent Christine Johnson in their responses:
Leslie Norwood
Opinion: Strongly positive and confident in Johnson’s leadership.
Evidence: Norwood explicitly praises Johnson’s work, saying she has “done an excellent job developing innovative programs such as the aviation program, the innovation lab and the new financial literacy lab with Bloomberg terminals.” She supports Johnson’s focus on closing achievement gaps and applauds the district’s overall academic gains, which she attributes in part to Johnson’s vision.
Summary: Norwood views Johnson as an innovative and effective superintendent whose leadership has driven the district’s progress.
Antonio Graña
Opinion: Very supportive and affirming of Johnson’s leadership.
Evidence: Graña notes that since joining the Board, he has become “even more impressed by the leadership, vision, and dedication of our faculty and administration.” As a current trustee and committee chair, he implicitly credits Johnson’s administration with the district’s growth and success.
Summary: Graña expresses confidence in Johnson’s strategic direction and teamwork with the Board.
Elizabeth “Lizy” Velez
Opinion: Respectful and implicitly supportive.
Evidence: While Velez does not mention Johnson by name, her repeated references to the district’s strong performance, inclusivity, and responsiveness to families suggest she credits the current leadership for these achievements. Her focus on collaboration and community engagement aligns with Johnson’s leadership approach.
Summary: Velez supports the current administration’s outcomes and priorities, even if she stops short of naming Johnson directly.
Laura Block
Opinion: Neutral to mildly positive but nonspecific.
Evidence: Block’s answers praise the district’s direction and express appreciation for the schools’ progress but do not mention Johnson or her leadership. Her comments center on facilities and community collaboration, not district administration.
Summary: Block does not explicitly evaluate Johnson; her responses suggest general approval of district performance without a clear personal stance.
Tim Smith
Opinion: Generally positive about staff and district performance but avoids specific praise for leadership.
Evidence: Smith says the “Hoboken Public School District is doing an excellent job educating the students,” noting that “the entire staff is working hard.” He never refers to Johnson directly, framing his praise around teachers and the broader community rather than administration.
Summary: Smith expresses satisfaction with district results but is noncommittal about Johnson’s role.
Overall Summary
Explicit supporters: Leslie Norwood, Antonio Graña
Implicit supporters: Lizy Velez
Neutral / no comment: Laura Block, Tim Smith
Norwood and Graña clearly admire Johnson’s leadership; Velez seems aligned with her outcomes and philosophy; Block and Smith remain neutral, focusing instead on facilities and community relations.
