Montclair Mayor Appoints 3 New School Board Members

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Mayor Sean Spiller has chosen Crystal Hopkins, Eric Scherzer and Kathryn Weller-Demming as the newest members of the Montclair Board of Education, officials announced Thursday.

Montclair’s volunteer school board is appointed by the mayor, as opposed to being elected.

“I am proud to appoint three outstanding individuals to the board of education,” Spiller said.

“Crystal, Eric and Kathryn will bring a diversity of experience and expertise that will enrich the board’s decision-making processes,” he added. “But most importantly, they each share the goal of providing the absolute best possible education for our students at the most value to taxpayers.”

Montclair town officials provided the following background for each new appointee.

CRYSTAL HOPKINS

A product of the Montclair public school system, Crystal Hopkins has deep ties to the Montclair community. As a student in Montclair, Ms. Hopkins participated in the Civics and Government Institute, Peer Leadership, and Student Government. Ms. Hopkins is an education professional working in Montclair as the Upper School Manager of Operations at Golda Och Academy. She is also the proud parent of two current Montclair public school students.

“Montclair Public schools are a treasure,” Hopkins said. “I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure every Montclair student has access to the abundance of opportunities and formative experiences that I enjoyed in our district.”

KATHRYN WELLER-DEMMING

A lifelong resident of Montclair, former Councilwoman Kathryn Weller-Demming is a parent as well as a graduate of Hillside Elementary, Glenfield Middle School, and Montclair High School. She served as Councilor-at-Large from 2008-2012, including as Deputy Mayor from 2011-2012. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Montclair Child Development Center.

“I am humbled by this opportunity to serve students, families, and our entire school community,” Weller-Demming said. “In these incredibly challenging times, there are great opportunities to innovate and strive for further excellence in our Montclair Public Schools.”

“As a student, I received a world-class education in Montclair, and I am deeply grateful to the many individuals who together made my experiences possible,” Weller-Demming said. “Montclair has such a rich history of excellence through diversity, we truly stand on the shoulders of giants,” she said.

ERIC SCHERZER

A graduate of Brown University and Hunter College, Eric Scherzer has resided in Montclair for more than 34 years. His two adult children are graduates of Montclair public schools and he is the grandparent of two students just entering the schools. In addition to an impressive career in community service, organizing, and labor relations, Mr. Scherzer has been an active volunteer for many worthy causes throughout the township, including the public schools.

“I intend to work with the other Board Members, the Superintendent, teachers and staff, parents, students, and all other parts of our community to address persistent racial disparities so that our schools can live up to their promise of providing a world-class education to all,” Scherzer said.

OUTGOING MEMBERS

While making his announcement, Spiller also offered his appreciation for the efforts of outgoing board members Jessica de Koninck, Eve Robinson and Sergio Gonzalez.

“Jessica de Koninck’s years of service at all levels of government, and specifically to education, leave a lasting positive impact,” Spiller said. “While deciding not to continue on the board, she will certainly remain an engaged member of our community.”

“Through dedication to the earliest learners to our Public School System as a whole, Eve Robinson has been a guiding force for education,” Spiller continued. “I respect her decision to move to other areas of service and know she will remain an advocate for our public schools.”

“Finally, I thank Sergio Gonzalez for his insights and input around technology and so many other areas and appreciate his service to our district,” the mayor said.

“The leadership of these board members has ensured our public schools will continue to deliver a world-class education for generations to come,” Spiller concluded.

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