Youngest School Board Member In Belleville History Sworn In

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A historic swearing-in ceremony took place at Belleville High School on Monday night, with the youngest-ever member of the local school board officially taking his seat among his peers.

Frank Velez and Erika Jacho emerged victorious in a tight race for the Belleville Board of Education in November’s general election, which took place mostly by mail due to the coronavirus. READ MORE: Belleville, Nutley School Board Election Results: Here's Who Won

According to Velez, a recent graduate of Belleville High School, he’s the youngest person ever elected in Belleville’s 181-year history. He’s also among the youngest elected officials in the state of New Jersey.

During Monday’s meeting, the newly instated board member joined his peers in a unanimous vote for Christine Lamparello as president. Lamparello’s term expires in 2022.

Watch video footage from Monday’s meeting (story continues below).

Velez lost his bid for a seat on the Belleville Township Council in May, getting 453 votes against opponent Steven Rovell’s 961 votes. But the teen declared that “Belleville’s best days are still ahead” and hinted that his political future wasn’t over.

• See related article: Teen Loses Belleville Election, But Says 'Best Days Still Ahead'

Velez then ran for the local school board in the next municipal election, getting the most votes, 4,313, of any candidate.

His platform included:

• Strengthen the Special Education System — “To ensure every child achieves his/her greatest potential: emotionally, socially, and educationally, especially those with special needs. Having grown up with a sibling with such needs, I will always fight to better these essential services.”
• Increase AP Courses Offering — “Belleville is lagging behind neighboring districts in its offering of critical college level classes. These classes allow students an important edge in the admissions process and provide a head-start at achieving valuable college credits as a high school student, and reduces the financial burden as these college courses provide college credits at the high school level for free.”
• Provide Greater Transparency and Competency to the Board — “Right now so many feel unheard, and I want everyone to know that I will be as accessible on the board as I am a candidate, and will always take the time to hear everyone out on any issue because that is the primary responsibility of a public servant.”

Velez said that without the support of his family, friends and political mentors, his election victory wouldn’t have happened.

In a Nov. 19 statement on social media, Velez wrote:

“The people have spoken. My election to this office was an affirmation of a strong and united board … a rejection of the political-game playing, division and delay that was the norm in Belleville for so many years. Further, the people have voted to move on from a past of broken promises, and to a future of educational progress and prosperity. And, as we celebrate the results of the general election being certified, it is important to remember that the real work begins on January 4. That is why I look forward to working with a great group of individuals who have been serving on the Belleville Board of Education for the last couple of years.”

Velez continued:

“Tonight, I have also been informed through the Office of Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin that I have become the youngest person ever elected in Belleville's history, and once seated, will be among a few others as the youngest elected official in the state of New Jersey. From this, I realize that I have a great deal to learn from each and every other trustee, and I will embrace every opportunity I get to do so. I also look forward to keeping the board grounded in the general consensus of the student body of Belleville, of whom we are elected to serve. With that, I thank you all once again for coming out and having your voice heard … I will work hard every single day to validate the faith you placed in me as we ‘Move Belleville Forward Together.’”

Velez’s pre-election efforts included a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $1,200 from 37 donors, some of which was put to use creating lawn signs, he reported.

Velez isn’t the only young candidate to see recent Election Day success in Essex County. In nearby Millburn, Jamie Serruto was sworn in last January to a post on the Millburn Board of Education at the age of 18.

"When I was sworn in last night, I felt part of the team," Serruto said. "I wasn't looked at differently; I wasn't spoken to differently. I feel very empowered."

• See related article: Youngest Elected Official In NJ Begins Term In Millburn
• See related article: Most Inspirational Essex County Teachers, Students Of 2020

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.