Last Minute Voting Information- Hoboken Runoff Election

 Runoff Election Tomorrow 

Registered voters are encouraged to plan ahead for tomorrow’s runoff election in which voters can vote again for Mayor and three at-Large City Council representatives. 

Residents can cast their ballot in person at their polling place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. or via a Vote-By-Mail ballot if they have received one.  

Polling locations can be found at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search. 

Please note, if your polling location is the AJ Demarest school, voting will take place in trailers located on Garden Street between Fourth and Fifth Street.

The free Hop shuttle service will continue to operate typical routes, as road conditions allow, for voters who need assistance to get to their polling place. Track the Hop online by clicking here: Passio GO. 

For questions about your polling place, contact the Hudson County Board of Elections at boardofelections@hcnj.us or call (201) 369-3435. 

If a voter received a VBM ballot, there are three ways to submit a completed VBM ballot:

• MAIL: Voters can return their VBM ballot by placing it in the nearest mailbox using the U.S. Postal Service. The ballot must be postmarked on or before Dec. 2 and received by the Hudson County Board of Elections. 
• SECURE DROP BOX: There are also three secure ballot drop box locations in Hoboken where voters can drop off their VBM ballot; one at Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington St. on Newark Street, one at the Stevens Gateway Building at Hudson Street and Sixth Street, and a drop box at Monroe Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets. Voters must submit their VBM ballot in a secure drop box on or before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. 
• AT THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS: Voters can also return their mail-in ballot in person to the Hudson County Board of Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The Hudson County Board of Elections Office is located at Hudson County Plaza, 257 Cornelison Avenue, 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07302. NOTE: VBM ballots CANNOT be returned to ANY polling place.  

Voters can track the progress of their ballot by signing into their personal New Jersey Voter Registration System account at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/auth/sign-up.  

For those having difficulty creating a profile, or for questions regarding VBM ballots, contact the Hudson County Clerk's Election Division at countyclerk@hcnj.gov or call (201) 369-3470 option 6. 

Facebook Link to the Runoff Debate at Hoboken High School on Tuesday, November 25th from 7PM to 8PM

Link to the Runoff Debate at Hoboken High School on Tuesday, November 25th from 7PM to 8PM: 

FACEBOOK LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3ezve8by

For additional details on the December 2, 2025 runoff election in Hoboken click HERE. 

Emily Jabbour and Michael Russo will compete in the runoff election for Mayor of Hoboken. 

Caitlin Layson, Joe Quintero, Steve Firestone, Peter Keeling, Nicole Magaña, and Elizabeth Urtecho will advance to the runoff to elect three representatives to Council-at-Large seats. 

Underutilization of Hoboken High School and Three 10 Year Growth Models

Based on the most recent NJDOE enrollment data, Hoboken High School serves 652 students in grades 9–12, of whom 515 are Hoboken resident students and 137 are CHOICE students enrolled from outside the district. When the building was constructed in the 1960s, it was designed to accommodate approximately 1,500 students*.

Using these figures, the high school is currently operating at about 43.5% of its original capacity. If we look only at Hoboken resident students (515), the effective utilization by local enrollment is closer to 34% of capacity.

10-year projection model (summary)

Using current Enrollment:

• Resident students (9–12): 515

• CHOICE students (9–12): 137

• Total 9–12: 652

• Building capacity: 1,500

To understand what the next decade might look like, a simple projection model was developed using three scenarios:

1. Status Quo (no growth): Total enrollment remains at 652 students. Utilization stays at 43.5% of capacity over the entire 10-year period.

2. Modest Growth (+1% per year): Even if total enrollment grows by 1% annually, the high school would enroll about 720 students in ten years—only 48% of building capacity.

3. Modest Decline (−1% per year): With a 1% annual decline, total enrollment would fall to about 590 students, or roughly 39% of capacity.

Across all three scenarios, the high school remains significantly underutilized relative to its original design. This persistent under-enrollment has implications for operating efficiency (heating, maintenance, and staffing a large facility), as well as for long-term planning around capital improvements, academic programming, and potential alternative uses of space.

These findings do not prescribe a particular course of action, but they do suggest that facility utilization should be a central consideration in upcoming strategic and budget discussions. Options such as reconfiguring grade spans, expanding or reconsidering CHOICE and magnet offerings, consolidating programs, or repurposing portions of the building could be explored in light of both current and projected enrollment.

10 Year Projections- 3 Different Models
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Is Hoboken High School being fully utilized?

No — far from it.
At 34–44% utilization, the building is operating at less than half of its intended capacity.

Key implications:

• The facility is significantly under-enrolled relative to the size it was designed for.

• Operational costs (heating, maintenance, staffing, utilities) are likely much higher per student than in a right-sized building.

• Enrollment patterns suggest a shrinking or shifting student population, especially at upper grades (see chart below).

  

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* Since the original construction, the Hoboken Board of Education has reported varying capacity numbers for the high school building. These capacity numbers can be found in the yearly audit reports. Regardless of which enrollment capacity numbers are used, the high school building is underutilized. 

2024 Hoboken District Audit Report 
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1962 Hoboken High School Brochure
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Hoboken Superintendent Salary Outpaces Average NJ Superintendent Salary by 16%

 According to data collected and published by NJ.com, the average NJ full-time superintendent made $197,444 during the 2024-25 school year. Hoboken's superintendent makes $231,876.

For data on all NJ superintendents, see this URL:

https://www.nj.com/education/2025/11/this-nj-school-superintendent-is-earning-322k-look-up-what-your-district-pays.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawONXJhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsRlBXVTB0dFJ2TlFaQjZJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoZLKXzifJaHRyWa53PRHGl2-pGM6sBfyHQOkhkqkG08QoPmkp6AHf90YrSN_aem_Z8eUA7F0bbzItXIZHr9NJQ

AERA 2026- The Effects of Creating Versus Experiencing Math Walks Stops in Informal Learning Settings

 

November 7, 2025

Dear Anthony Petrosino,

We are pleased to inform you that your paper, "The Effects of Creating Versus Experiencing Math Walks Stops in Informal Learning Settings," submitted for consideration for the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting has been accepted. Congratulations on this accomplishment. AERA received more than 13,000 submissions this year.

To ensure the highest quality papers presented at the Annual Meeting, your submission was reviewed by highly qualified reviewers serving on a panel constituted by the Division C - Learning and Instruction/Division C - Section 1c: Mathematics.  Reviewers' comments are now available on the Online Annual Meeting Program Portal (All Academic) System for your use.

The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting will take place in Los Angeles, California from Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 12. 

The AERA meeting offers a number of session formats to feature high quality research and scholarly work. Your paper has been placed in a Roundtable Session titled, “Supporting Positive Mathematical Affect Through Instruction and Informal Learning”. Each format involves different modes of presentation. The program schedule will be available on January 16, 2026.  

AERA 2026- Data and Farming: Uncovering Tensions in Food Justice

 

November 7, 2025

Dear Dr. Petrosino,

We are pleased to inform you that your paper, "Data and Farming: Uncovering Tensions in Food Justice," submitted for consideration for the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting has been accepted. Congratulations on this accomplishment. AERA received more than 13,000 submissions this year. 

To ensure the highest quality papers presented at the Annual Meeting, your submission was reviewed by highly qualified reviewers serving on a panel constituted by the Division C - Learning and Instruction/Division C - Section 2b: Learning and Motivation in Social and Cultural Contexts.  Reviewers' comments are now available on the Online Annual Meeting Program Portal (All Academic) System for your use.

The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting will take place in Los Angeles, California from Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 12. 

The AERA meeting offers a number of session formats to feature high quality research and scholarly work. Your paper has been placed in a Paper Session titled, “Critical Narratives From Carceral, Educational, and Community Contexts”. Each format involves different modes of presentation. The program schedule will be available on January 16, 2026. 

 

All presenting authors must register for the Annual Meeting no later than March 6, 2026. Individuals who are not listed as presenting authors cannot present at the Annual Meeting. If a presenting author does not register for the meeting by March 6, 2026, their name will be removed as a presenting author. If no presenting author has registered by March 16, 2026, the paper will be removed from the program.

The final deadline for program changes is March 6, 2026. This includes changes to paper titles and presenting and non-presenting authors.

Copies of all 2026 Annual Meeting program related e-mail correspondence sent from the All Academic System, including this email, are available online in your personal "Message Center." This link is available in the Submitter menu of the All Academic System once you have signed in.

Registration and housing for the 2026 Annual Meeting will open in December 2025.  Since all presenters must register for the meeting, please register early to take advantage of the Early Bird rates.  

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the AERA Meetings Team at annualmtg@aera.net or 202-238-3200.  

Sincerely,

Tabbye M. Chavous, Ph.D. (she/her)
Executive Director

Hoboken Charter School Lottery Coming Soon- Take Note

Public Service Announcement: upcoming lotteries are in January for Hoboken’s 3 charter schools. For more info and lottery applications, refer to each school’s website.

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Tuition Is Now Free At Stevens In Hoboken, If You're Under $75,000 Family Income Limit

Beginning fall 2026, tuition at the Stevens Institute of Technology — a technology-focused university in Hoboken — will be free for undergraduates whose families earn $75,000 or less.

The university announced this plan, "The Stevens Investment," two weeks ago, saying, "Pursuing higher education opens doors for students and their families, promoting social mobility and creating new career opportunities. For some families, the cost of tuition can make that path feel out of reach." 

Here are other free tuition programs at other colleges and universities around the nation....

• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology removed tuition costs for undergraduates from families earning less than $200,000 a year.
• The University of Pennsylvania said it would also allow students from families earning $200,000 or less to receive free tuition. Previously, the school set its limit at $140,000.
• Carnegie Mellon provides free tuition for families making $75,000 or less.
• Brandeis enables students from families making $75,000 or less to avoid tuition costs.
• Stanford families earning $150,000 or less do not have to pay tuition.
• All nine University of Texas schools have waived tuition for families earning $100,000 or less.
• All public state schools in New Mexico offer residents free tuition.
• If they live in the state, families making $55,000 or less can get free tuition at the University of Wisconsin.
• Columbia University set its household income threshold at $150,000 for free tuition.
• Dartmouth and Brown University provide free tuition for students from households making $125,000 or less.
• Students at Cornell and Yale from families making $75,000 or less will get free tuition.
• Princeton permits students from families earning $160,000 or less free tuition.
• Arkansas residents will get free tuition at the University of Arkansas if their family income is under $70,000.
• Duke offers free tuition to North and South Carolina students if their families make $150,000 or less.
• The New York University Promise ensures that students whose families make under $100,000 do not have to pay for tuition.
• State University of New York schools offer residents the opportunity to attend college tuition-free if their families make $125,000 or less.

Mayoral Runoff Election Debate- Nov 25 7-8PM Hoboken HS Auditorium

 

2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT’S Best Elementary Schools in Hoboken Public School District District

 2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT’S Best Elementary Schools in Hoboken Public School District District

Elysian Charter School of Hoboken 

Ranked #48 in New Jersey Elementary Schools 

Ranked #109 in New Jersey Middle Schools 

Enrollment 293

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School 

Ranked #50 in New Jersey Elementary Schools 

Ranked #50 in New Jersey Middle Schools 

Enrollment 432 

Joseph F. Brandt Elementary School 

Ranked #81 in New Jersey Elementary Schools

Enrollment 611

Hoboken High School 

Ranked #148 in New Jersey High Schools 

Enrollment 607

Hoboken Middle School 

Ranked #185 in New Jersey Middle Schools 

Enrollment 432 

Thomas G. Connors Elementary School School 

Ranked #279 in New Jersey Elementary Schools

Enrollment 328

Hoboken Charter School 

Ranked #358-411 in New Jersey Elementary Schools 

Enrollment 299 

Wallace Elementary School 

Ranked #389 in New Jersey Elementary Schools 

Enrollment 594

Breaking Down Hoboken City’s Choice Report: What the Most Recent Numbers Really Say

Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education releases Choice Program reports showing how many students enroll in districts through the Interdistrict Public School Choice program. The latest report for Hoboken City (District 2210) tells an interesting story — one that raises real questions about local claims of overcrowding in our public schools.

Enrollment Overview

According to the report, Hoboken City enrolled 164 students through the Choice program this year — all full-time. There were no shared-time or half-day kindergarten enrollments, and no students listed as LIEP (English Learners) or “Speech Only.”

Here’s what the grade-by-grade breakdown looks like:

• Kindergarten through Grade 5: Enrollment is light, with just a handful of students per grade (ranging from 1 to 6).

• Grades 6–8: Middle grades stay small, averaging about 2–4 students each.

• High School: Enrollment jumps sharply, with 25 students in Grade 9, 45 in Grade 10, 39 in Grade 11, and 28 in Grade 12.

That means the high school alone accounts for nearly 85 percent of the total Choice students in the district.

Low-Income Enrollment

The report also shows that 98 of the 164 students (nearly 60%) qualify for free lunch, indicating that Hoboken continues to serve a significant share of economically disadvantaged families through the Choice program. There were no students reported as receiving reduced lunch.

Special Education

Four of the enrolled students are identified as Special Education – High School, making up about 2.4 percent of the total Choice population.

A Closer Look: The Overcrowding Narrative

What stands out most isn’t just the distribution — it’s what these numbers imply for local school policy.

Hoboken City schools have often raised concerns about overcrowding, particularly in the elementary grades. Yet the district continues to accept over 160 students a year through the Interdistrict Choice program. This practice seems inconsistent with the public narrative of space limitations and overcrowded classrooms.

If space is genuinely an issue, one would expect limits on new enrollments — especially from outside the district. But instead, the data suggest Hoboken is actively participating in programs that bring in more students annually. It raises an important question:

How can a district claim it’s struggling with overcrowding while voluntarily enrolling more students through state choice programs?

The numbers don’t lie — and they deserve a closer look from both residents and policymakers.

Summary: Considering a Sunset of Hoboken City’s Choice Program

If Hoboken City were to sunset its Interdistrict Public School Choice program, the district would stop admitting new Choice students while allowing those already enrolled to continue through graduation. This phased approach would gradually reduce total enrollment over several years as current students advance and graduate.

Based on the most recent data, Hoboken currently serves 164 Choice students, with the majority enrolled in grades 9–12. Under a sunset policy, these upper-grade students would complete their education in Hoboken without disruption, while no new out-of-district students would enter the system.

As each class of Choice students graduates, available space in the schools would steadily increase—first in the high school, then eventually in the lower grades. Over time, this would ease the pressure on classroom space, facilities, and staffing. The district could then redirect those resources to serve in-district residents, potentially reducing class sizes and expanding programs for local students.

In short, sunsetting the program would allow Hoboken City to free up capacity gradually and responsibly, addressing space concerns without displacing any current Choice students.

2025 Hoboken City CHOICE Data
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2025 Hoboken Mayoral, Council, and Board of Education Results.... Round 1

Hoboken voters will head back to the polls on December 2 after no candidate secured a majority in the November 4 mayoral election. According to unofficial results with nearly all districts reporting, Emily Jabbour finished first with 5,022 votes, followed by Michael Russo with 4,561. Because neither reached the 50% threshold required under city rules, the two will face each other in a runoff to decide the next mayor.

The seven-candidate field split the vote among several well-known local figures. Tiffanie Fisher finished third with 3,593 votes, while Ruben Ramos Jr. received 2,791. Dini Ajmani earned 2,426 votes. Patricia Waiters and a small number of write-ins rounded out the totals. In all, 18,676 ballots were cast in the mayoral race.

The council-at-large contest is also expected to continue into a runoff. Jabbour’s running mates Steve Firestone, Caitlin Layson, and Joe Quintero currently lead. On the opposing slate, Pete Keeling and Nicole Magaña are positioned to advance as well. The final spot appears to be between Liz Urtecho and former Councilman Dave Mello, who ran with Fisher. More clarity is expected once results are certified.

  In the 6th Ward, voters selected a successor to the late Jen Giattino,      who died one year ago this week. Diane Imus, supported by Fisher, won the four-person race by a wide margin, defeating Ryan Cunningham, Ian Rintel, and Manny Rivera Soler.

With several key decisions still ahead, Hoboken’s political landscape remains in motion. The December runoff will determine the city’s next mayor and finalize the council’s makeup for the coming term.

PLEASE NOTE: The runoff is on DECEMBER 2, 2025---- 

 

from HobokenGirl 

All 42 wards reporting...these are close to the final results: