BOE Candidate: Paula Zaccone

Editor's note: Paula Zaccone is one of seven candidates vying for three spots on the Bloomfield Board of Education (BOE) in the April 27 election. Bloomfield Patch has profiled each candidate by alphabetical order every day leading up to the April 20 in the Bloomfield High School auditorium.

Below is Zaccone’s biographical information and candidate statement.

PAULA ZACCONE - LINE 4A

YEARS IN BLOOMFIELD
35 years in Bloomfield as a taxpayer and homeowner

ORGANIZATIONS/CLUBS
Chair, Faculty Association of the College of Education and Human Services; Past president, NJ Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Past president, NJ Health Education Council; Former chair, NJ  Coalition for Health Education; Publications chair, American Association for Health in Education; By-Laws Committee, American School Health Education; Life member, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

OCCUPATION
(Full) Professor of Education at Seton Hall University, College of Education and Human Services

STATEMENT
My pursuit of a position on Bloomfield’s Board of Education has been prompted by neighbors and friends who share my concerns for the academic achievements of students, the low level of morale among personnel, and the strains posed by limited funding and increasing mandates for quality programs and instruction. Our residents and educators express concerns for the educational reputation of our township. My aim in serving as a board member is to respond with positive attention to these mutual concerns. I welcome participation and input from community members and discontinue the disrespect they receive from the current BOE leadership.  Bloomfield has a tradition of talented residents and educators who are education-minded and recognize that education of its youth requires economic as well as cooperative support. I aim to strengthen the links among the community, school personnel, and the BOE.

To relieve the burden to taxpayers while affording programs of enrichment, board members must lead the district in the procurement of external funding. By the wise use of existing resources, the avoidance of duplication, and the attraction of budget-conscious personnel/ contractors, I would streamline spending.