Buccino Running for School Board in North Caldwell

The North Caldwell Board of Education has two open seats in this spring’s election. Current Board Member Robert Kessler is seeking a second three-year term. Valerie Z. Buccino will run uncontested for the other seat which is being vacated by Aggie Doolen.

Buccino, 41, is a stay-at-home mom of three children, as well as a self-employed attorney. She moved to North Caldwell in October of 2004.

Voters will go to the polls on Wednesday, April 27 for a chance to vote for Buccino. The public will also vote on the 

Patch recently posed some questions to the candidate: 

Please describe what qualifications you feel you have to serve on the school board.

I think what best qualifies me to serve on the school board is being a mother and a parent of three children who have been in the North Caldwell school system for the past 5 years. I have served as class mother for my children’s classes. I have been a Girl Scout leader and served as a catechist for the CCD program at Notre Dame Church for the last 5 years. I have a vested interest in the education of my children and I feel that I can make a positive contribution to the Board of Education. I would like the opportunity to do so and to give back to our community.

What do you think are the top three issues facing the district?

I think that the most important issues facing the district for 2011-2012 are interrelated. We need to work toward maintaining our budget, while continuing to provide our children with small class sizes and maintaining the programs already in place. We need to maintain an awareness of the wishes and changing needs of the community. We need to continue to explore more cost effective and economical avenues to obtain the services and products needed by our schools, such as coordinating shared services with other school districts and our town. 

What do you think makes the district unique/special?

We are a small and close-knit community. Although we have differences in opinion, there is a mutual respect and sharing of common values. What is so very special about our district is the educational experience our children receive. They are taught in a small classroom setting, where each individual child is given the attention they need to learn and grow.

Please describe your previous work experience. 

Before the birth of my first child, I was employed for seven years as a Senior Attorney for the Supreme Court, State of N.Y, Mental Hygiene Legal Service, 2nd Dept., representing the developmentally disabled as well as psychiatric inpatients. Prior to this, I worked for an insurance defense firm as well as a general legal practice.

Describe your education.

I attended high school at St. John’s Villa Academy in Staten Island. I obtained my undergraduate degree at St. John’s University, also in Staten Island, and obtained my Juris Doctorate degree at St. John’s University School of Law, Jamaica, NY.