IMPROVING EDUCATION TOGETHER ANNOUNCES
BID TO UNSEAT INCUMBENTS IN
BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION
Press Release
PERTH AMBOY – Today, Justin Ross, Romina Roman and Manuel Fernandez submitted their petitions to be on the general election ballot for the Perth Amboy Board of Education this November. The three are seeking three three-year terms.
Justin Ross
Justin Ross is a lifelong resident of Perth Amboy. Currently a member of the fourth generation in his family to live in his home, Ross is a proud husband to Graciela, an immigrant from Peru. Together, they are raising their bilingual children who both attend Rose Lopez Elementary School. Ross is himself an educator at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ, where he serves as the Faculty Chair of the English Department. At the school Ross is also known for teaching his students to become engaged and informed members of their community. He does this by serving as the leader of Youth Civic Action which enables students to reach out to the community to register voters, become educated and educate others on politics on a local, state and national level, while teaching his students the power of the voice and vote we were given. This year, Ross is starting another civic engagement group known as Race to Action which will dive into the issues facing our communities of color, civic engagement and politics. At a local level, Ross maintains an active role in the community. He has served as a member of the Citizen’s Campaign, served as Secretary of the Library Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Perth Amboy Zoning Board.
Coming from an educational background, Ross believes in the value of a bountiful education, the importance of teamwork between the administration and the Board of Education, as well as, the critical role the community must play in establishing an exceptional educational system. “Public schools must be the cornerstone of civic engagement and experiential learning. Together it can help reshape the future of Perth Amboy,” stated Mr. Ross.
Romina Roman is a proud product of the Perth Amboy School District. Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Roman came to Perth Amboy in 2000 at the tender age of 14. Upon arrival, she entered her Perth Amboy High School as a sophomore. Romina prides herself
Romina Roman
on her academic achievements and has seen the direct results and rewards of her educational investments. She is currently a proud wife to Gustavo and mother of four children- all of whom are currently students in the district’s schools. Romina fondly remembers the struggles she had to face as an immigrant who had to navigate her way through the Perth Amboy School District. Roman worked her way through both of her pregnancies; working at a fast food chain while she was pregnant with her first daughter and when she was pregnant with her first son, she was in nursing school. She later worked at Amboy Care Center and Alameda Care Center. She currently works as a technical support agent specializing in computers at a small electronics retailer.
“As a working mother or four school children, I can easily relate to what other parents are feeling especially in the midst of a pandemic. It’s time to finally bridge the gap between our schools and our homes. Without joint collaboration between teaching staff and parents/guardians our children will never truly be prepared to fully enter our community as empowered and civically engaged members of society,” remarked Mrs. Roman.
Manuel Fernandez is a youthful member of our community. At 27 years old, he looks to improve the internal quality of life for our students. Fernandez comes from an immigrant background himself as he was raised in the Dominican Republic. His parents came to Perth Amboy where they later opened a restaurant in the city. Fernandez was taught the value of hardwork and perseverance through the struggles he saw himself, and his parents, forced to navigate. He too works at a business located within the limits of the city.
Manuel Fernandez
“In a working-class community like Perth Amboy our public schools should be neighborhood
safe havens, providing after school activities for students who are otherwise returning from school to empty homes or the vices of the streets,” proclaimed Mr. Fernandez.
The three are running for the full terms (3 years) under the Vas 2020 campaign. IMPROVING EDUCATION TOGETHER hopes to promote increased civics education and participation, eliminate the continuous disconnection between the school life and home life of a child, and provide youth growth opportunities to ensure our students leave Perth Amboy Public Schools fully prepared for the next chapter of their lives.
For continuous campaign updates, follow the ticket on Facebook and Instagram at
@IMPROVINGEDUCATIONTOGETHER.
Improving Education Together Platform Points
• Ensure all students are receiving a quality education, especially during remote learning.
• Strengthen transportation to reduce traffic congestion and maximize resources already in the district.
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship between the district, community, and parents to ensure our students are wholly prepared for college and 21st-century careers.
• To ensure all staff and educators are treated fairly and respectfully while providing them with the necessary resources for an optimal educational and professional environment.
• Enhance Civics instruction for all students to instill the importance of service to the community and to develop skills necessary to be a well-rounded and contributing member of society.
• Work with parents and school-based parent organizations to reinforce and cultivate learning in the home.
