HILLSDALE—The borough’s school board features two contested races on the Nov. 4 ballot: one for a full three-year term, with incumbent Salvatore Sileo challenged by Jonathan Braunstein; and one for an unexpired one-year term, with appointed incumbent Kathleen Puerta—selected in February to fill Christina Jennings’ unexpired seat—challenged by Daniel DeFeo.
The Hillsdale Public School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Meadowbrook School, Ann Blanche Smith School, and George G. White Middle School. Upon graduation, students continue their academic journey at Pascack Valley High School in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, which also serves River Vale.
Candidate snapshots, left to right
Salvatore Sileo
- 22-year Hillsdale resident
- High school math teacher (33 years) and adjunct professor, Bergen Community College (24 years)
- 10-year school board member
Jonathan Braunstein
- 10-plus years Hillsdale resident; married, two children in district
- 25 years of experience as a finance journalist, creating content for Financial Times advertisers
- Volunteer coach and in-school volunteer
- Grant reviewer and volunteer for a cancer-survivor charity
Kathleen Puerta
- Eight-year Hillsdale resident; current school board member
- 20-plus years as a human-resources administrator
- President, Meadowbrook Family & Faculty Association (2023–present)
Daniel DeFeo
- 12-year Hillsdale resident
- Family and emergency physician; Hillsdale softball and T-ball coach
- Operates a solo medical practice with 1,300 patients under care
Three-year term
Sileo said his priorities include enhanced student safety—most likely through a new school resource officer and upgraded surveillance system—improving reading and math scores, and continuing facility upgrades at the elementary schools, including utilities and boilers. He said a “proactive approach” will minimize future major renovations.
Other priorities include fiscally responsible oversight of the George White Middle School renovations and enhanced website transparency, Sileo said.
Braunstein listed transparency, advocacy, accountability, and oversight of the “massive” $62.4 million middle-school renovation project among his top priorities. He said transparency includes publishing a quarterly newsletter and posting all grade-level curricula online. He encouraged parents to share their concerns, noting that he understands the challenges families face.
Oversight of the George White renovations, he said, will help lead to “improved educational outcomes” for local children.
Top issues
Braunstein said the district must pay attention to the “school experience” for fifth- through eighth-graders, with grades 6–8 currently attending classes in modular buildings and fifth-graders temporarily back in the elementary schools. He said students must be prepared for academic and professional success.
He also advocated for another security officer in the elementary schools. “Our board must prioritize the safety and security of our students, both from outside threats and internal incidents.”
Sileo said top issues include school finances, safety, and infrastructure. He voted to post a $62.4 million bond referendum—approved by voters in September 2024—to upgrade the century-old George White Middle School. Renovations and a six-classroom addition are expected to be complete by September 2027. He said “facility enhancements” at Ann Blanche Smith and Meadowbrook elementary schools will help prevent further costs.
Learn more
Braunstein said residents can visit braunstein4boe.com to learn more and follow facebook.com/braunstein4boe for campaign updates.
Sileo said information is available at salandkatforboe.com or on Facebook at Salvatore Sileo & Kathleen Puerta for Hillsdale BOE.
One-year unexpired term
Puerta said she believes in connecting the community to the schools to create the best results for children. Her priorities include improving the district website, raising educational standards and test scores, providing oversight of the George White construction, and hiring an extra school safety officer. Connect at salandkatforboe.com and the campaign’s Facebook page.
DeFeo said he is running to improve transparency between the district and community, increase safety within schools, and support student health. He said he also hopes to improve the nutritional value of the school lunch program. Connect at defeo4hillsdale.com and on Facebook.