“A strong, safe community starts with good public schools, and the District has made major strides resulting in a 26% increase in K-12 enrollment since 2014 and exceptional student achievement. We need to build on this momentum and continue to improve our schools through prudent investment in our students and their teachers.”

- Antonio Grana

“As taxpayers and long-time residents, we believe the goals of improving academic outcomes and upgrading aging facilities need to be undertaken with fiscal responsibility and accountability,”

- Leslie Norwood.

“Serving our community as a trustee has been my commitment to public schools for both Hoboken and my kids. My children have been in the public schools from Pre-k through High School. We continue to be engaged because of the investment being made in a rigorous curriculum, fantastic teachers, great administrators, and innovative programming. We could not be happier.“

- Alex De La Torre

Meet the Slate

  • Leslie Norwood

    Leslie Norwood has lived in Hoboken since 1998. Ms. Norwood and her husband have two children who attend Brandt Elementary School. She has been an active volunteer in the community, focusing her efforts largely on education and children. Ms. Norwood joined the Hoboken Public Education Foundation Board in 2017 to support the Foundation’s mission to raise private donations for the Hoboken BOE Public Schools to improve student access to valuable resources and further academic achievement. She has been active in many school groups including the Brandt Parent Consortium for Pre-K, Brandt PTO, and Hoboken Special Needs Parent Advisory Group, as well as serving as class parent. In addition to her volunteer experience, Ms. Norwood brings her analytic, financial, and advocacy skills to the BOE through her work as a securities attorney and federal lobbyist focusing on infrastructure finance.

  • Antonio Graña

    Antonio Graña has been a Hoboken resident for 20 years and is a parent of a student attending Hoboken Middle School. Mr. Graña brings to the BOE his 6 years’ experience actively working with school administrators and the BOE on improving parent engagement and school facilities and as an officer on the Connors Elementary School PTO and the Hoboken Middle School PTO. Mr. Graña volunteers with a number of community organizations and has also served as Commissioner on the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment for the past 8 years. In addition to his volunteer experience and familiarity with and knowledge of local government, Mr. Grana has 25 years of experience in business management and governance in the private sector.

  • Alex De La Torre

    Alex De La Torre has been a Hoboken resident for 15 years and has two children in Hoboken Public Schools - one each in Hoboken High School and Hoboken Middle School. Mr. De La Torre has served as a BOE Trustee for 3 years, after being appointed as a Board Trustee in 2018 to fill a vacated seat. Mr. De La Torre has been actively involved in various committees throughout his tenure on the BOE, which has accomplished an average 4-year graduation cohort rate for the class of 2018 through the class of 2021 of 94.5%, average senior class college and university acceptance rate for the class of 2018 through the class of 2021 of 94%, and numerous award-winning programs such as the award-winning debate team and internationally-recognized theater program. Additionally, Mr. De La Torre has over 25 years of experience in financial planning and analysis.

LET'S TALK

Hoboken Supports Leadership That Listens

“Leslie, Antonio, and Alex are strong leaders who are committed to moving Hoboken's educational system forward. Their long-time passion for our district schools set them apart from others who have decided to shift political focus to the BOE. They are smart, driven, optimistic and collaborative. The Leadership that Listens candidates are exactly who should be sitting on Hoboken's Board of Education, and I can say unequivocally that they have my vote.”

Jane Mylan, Hoboken Parent

“The Leadership that Listens candidates have demonstrated they are thoughtful, caring, intelligent, solutions-oriented, and good listeners. This is a pivotal moment for our district and one that requires leaders who will listen and build consensus. Leslie, Antonio, and Alex have a track record that shows they care about all our district’s kids. I am thrilled to support the candidacy of the Leadership that Listens team.” 

Rachel Hodes, Hoboken resident, HDC Member, and Parent