Taxes, transparency, test scores at heart of crowded Park Ridge BOE race

Five newcomers compete for two seats in Nov. 4 contest

October 14, 2025 Michael Olohan
Park Ridge school board race 2025
Park Ridge school board race 2025

PARK RIDGE—In the most crowded Pascack Valley school board contest this year, five new candidates are challenging to replace departing school board members John Pierotti Jr. and Tom Monahan at the dais. Their three-year terms expire Dec. 31.

The K-12 district consists of East Brook Elementary School, West Ridge Elementary School, and Park Ridge High School, and the motto is “Every Owl Every Day.”

So far, this year has seen its share of turmoil, with former first-time trustee Robert Fisher Jr. resigning his seat rather than face a recall election following allegations he lived out of state, missed too many meetings, and did not adequately represent local parents. He has denied the allegations.

Board President David Bradler told us the board expected to get out information on or after Oct. 15 regarding where to submit résumés and a deadline for the board to consider replacements for Fisher. The board formally accepted Fisher’s resignation at its meeting on Oct. 14.

In mid-September, 16-year Superintendent Robert M. Gamper, serving since 2019 and who won a contract extension in 2022, announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2026.

Candidate snapshots, left to right

  • Matthew Rozzi — 22-year resident; married, twin sons; 30 years in financial-services industry; active in youth and high-school sports programs.
  • Rosemarie Malloy — 20-plus-year resident; married, two daughters; eighth-grade math teacher with 25 years in public education; served in leadership roles in K–12 public education.
  • Shanai Jensen — Six-year resident; enrollment manager, Uncommon Schools; volunteer for Multicultural Day, East Brook Elementary.
  • Rich Kuiters — 20-year resident; married, three children; hazmat assistant project manager, Bergen County engineering firm; volunteer coach in local athletic association.
  • Holly Misley — Resident of more than 50 years; substitute teacher in Bergen County; four children; former East Brook PTO president; children attended local schools.

Campaign platforms

  • Rozzi said he is running on three issues: fiscal responsibility and property taxes; facilities and capital improvements; and curriculum transparency and parental involvement. “Parents should always feel informed and included. I will focus on advocating for accessible curriculum summaries, strengthening communication between schools and families, and ensuring trust and clarity remain central to district operations.”
  • Malloy said she is focused on purposeful leadership; commitment to engagement; a student-first focus; transparent and thoughtful governance; and collaboration and accountability.
  • Jensen said she is focused on making decisions guided by community and student voices, making sure every student gets the tools, support, and encouragement to reach full potential, and using district resources wisely while being mindful of costs.
  • Kuiters and Misley are running under the slogan “Cut Your Taxes,” noting they are concerned with continued budget increases. Their focus is on declining standardized-test scores and on quality teachers providing quality education. They note that Park Ridge has “one of the highest costs per student in Bergen County.”

Top issues

  • Rozzi said his top issues include planning for long-term capital improvement; analyzing the impact of real-estate projects on enrollment, facilities, and teachers; and hiring a new district superintendent.
  • Malloy said her top three issues are fiscal responsibility, school safety and well-being, and curriculum strength and educator excellence. She listed objectives such as prioritizing investments in student learning and school facilities and recruiting and retaining top educators by fostering a professional culture. “I will ask tough questions, listen to all stakeholders, and make balanced, informed choices,” Malloy said. “I will also work constructively with board members, educators, families, and the community to strengthen our schools.”
  • Jensen said her priorities include balancing quality education with responsible budgeting, ensuring safe student-learning environments, and supporting and retaining excellent teachers and staff. “If elected, I hope to make decisions guided by community and student voices and transparent communication,” Jensen said.
  • The Kuiters-Misley team said their top three issues are that taxpayers deserve fiscal sanity; declining test scores need to be fixed; and one of Bergen County’s highest per-student costs can be brought down through better spending management. “We are concerned with the constant school-budget increases over the last several years,” they said. “This spending directly impacts every homeowner and tenant in town, as the school budget is approximately 60% of our property-tax bill. We will review all requested budget increases and look for ways to keep costs down while improving the education provided.”

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