Hoboken School Board Candidate Profiles: Adrian Oxman

HOBOKEN, NJ — While the focus on Nov. 3 will be on the Congressional midterm elections, several North Jersey towns including Hoboken are seeing contested races for local government and school board.

Four people are running for the Hoboken Board of Education this year.

Three three-year seats are open on the nine-member board.

Incumbents Sharyn Angley and Sheila Dallara are running with Adrian Oxman on one slate.

Past candidate Patricia Waiters is also running under the banner Deep Down Democrat.

The Hoboken school district has a high school, middle school, and three elementary schools.

The three charter schools in town are considered separate districts, although the Hoboken board may influence some decisions regarding the charter schools.

In 2021, the district proposed a $241 million plan to build a new high school and renovate other buildings, but it was voted down. (See why.) The district is now holding community engagement meetings to plan for the future.

Candidate Profiles

Patch is running profiles submitted by candidates via a form. Below are a candidate's biographical details and answers to two questions, verbatim.

To read the other profiles on Hoboken Patch, click here, and come back on Election Night for live results. To sign up for a free daily newsletter of Hoboken area news, input your email address here.

Profile: Adrian Oxman

Age: 41
Slogan: Nonpartisan / Together for Tomorrow
CURRENT AND PAST GOVERNMENT/VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:
● First-time candidate for Hoboken Board of Education
● Volunteer, Pre-K and Elementary School PTOs
CURRENT JOB, IF APPLICABLE: Clinical Psychologist
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
BA in Political Psychology, The George Washington University
MA in Psychology (Clinical Track), The New School for Social Research
MS in Education in School Psychology, Pace University
PsyD in Clinical and Child Psychology, Pace University

VOLUNTEER WORK: Pre-K and elementary school PTO volunteer; Community volunteer;
Provide pro bono psychological consultations to underserved individuals and families.

FAMILY INFORMATION (whatever you're willing to disclose): Husband, two kids, one
remaining fish (at time of publication).
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN TOWN? 8 years

Longer Questions

1. What do you think are the biggest problems facing Hoboken Public Schools right now, and how do you hope to help solve them?

I believe one of the biggest challenges facing Hoboken Public Schools is ensuring that our district continues to grow and evolve while meeting the individual needs of a diverse student body in an ever-evolving world. As enrollment increases and financial pressures mount, we need to be thoughtful about how we allocate resources, maintain manageable class sizes, and ensure that all children have access to a high-quality
education.

Another important challenge is continuing to strengthen transparency and communication between the district and the families it serves. Parents should feel included in decisions that affect their children’s education. Meaningful community engagement requires more than sharing information; it requires listening and actively responding to concerns and feedback.

As a child psychologist, I know that academic achievement and social-emotional well-being are deeply connected. We need to ensure that students with different learning styles, developmental needs, and emotional challenges receive appropriate support, while giving teachers and administrators the resources they need to help every child succeed. If elected, I will bring my professional expertise and perspective as a parent to the Board and advocate for evidence-based practices, responsible resource allocation, greater transparency, and policies that prioritize academic achievement without sacrificing student well-being.

2. Why do you believe you are the most qualified person for the spot?

I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve on the Hoboken Board of Education because I bring a combination of professional expertise, personal investment, and a real appreciation of what children need to succeed. I have dedicated my career to understanding child development, mental health, and the factors that influence a child’s ability to flourish. I recognize that academic achievement does not happen in isolation. Children learn best when they feel supported and understood. I will approach educational challenges through an evidence-based, developmentally informed lens.

As a parent of children in Hoboken’s public schools, I also have a personal stake in the decisions being made. I experience the school system from the perspective of a family navigating it every day, and I acknowledge both the strengths of our district and the areas where we can improve.

I am not running because I believe I have all the answers. I am running because I believe my background has taught me how to ask the right questions, evaluate evidence, collaborate with others, and keep the needs of children at the center of every decision.

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