Dr. Leah M. Farinola
Dr. Farinola completed her doctorate of Education at Seton Hall University and is a Chief School Administrator of a special education school and adjunct professor in the Education Department at Caldwell University. As a school administrator, her expertise includes educational administration and leadership, policy and budget development, and human resources. Leah and her husband Mike are lifelong residents of Secaucus and love their deep connection to this wonderful town. They live at home with their Sheepadoodle, Daenerys (Dany). As a Class of 2000 graduate of Secaucus High School, Dr. Farinola had exemplary experiences with the dedicated educators of our public schools that ultimately led to her decision to pursue a career in education. As such, she wants to give back to her community and ensure that the SBOE continues to ensure the success of students, families, and educators, while engaging in meaningful, open, and honest conversations and transparent, data-based decision-making. Dr. Farinola ran for the SBOE in 2021 with Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Kish.
Abigail Gonzalez
Ms. Gonzalez has earned a bachelor's degree from Montclair State University and is completing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kentucky. She is a Special Population Coordinator with the Town of Secaucus where she works with children and families to connect them to community driven resources at the local, county and state level in addition to coordinating inclusive recreation and summer programs. Along with Ruby, Abby founded the Secaucus Special Education Parents Advisory Committee (SEPAC) to provide parents with the voice they needed to address systemic issues in special education. Ms. Gonzalez’s family has been a part of the Secaucus community since 2008 and her children attend our public schools. With a background in social work, Ms. Gonzalez’s goal is to understand what our community needs and wants and establish effective ways to build a bridge to those resources. Along with Ms. Kish and Dr. Farinola, Ms. Gonzalez has a goal of creating a Board of Education that listens to and engages with the Secaucus community through increased accessibility, involvement, and outreach.
Ruby Kish, Esq.
Ms. Kish earned her law degree from Rutgers Law School in Newark, graduating summa cum laude. As an education attorney, Ms. Kish works at a non-profit where she provides educational advocacy for justice-involved youth. She developed a passion for advocating for students and families after founding the Secaucus Special Education Parents Advisory Committee (SEPAC) along with fellow Board Member, Abby Gonzalez. Prior to attending law school Ms. Kish worked for the Town of Secaucus where she developed and created the Beyond the Bell after-school program and championed inclusive recreation for children with disabilities. In 2020, Ms. Kish was nominated by Mayor Gonnelli for the Hudson County Women's History Month Community Service Award. She has been a resident of Secaucus for twelve years, along with her husband and two children, both of whom attend the Secaucus Public Schools. Ms. Kish hopes to use her advocacy skills to promote increased parental involvement and allow parents to have a voice in the education of their children.