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EDGEMONT CHINESE ASSOCIATION
READ OUR RESPONSES TO ECA QUESTIONS
Dear ECA,Thank you very much for creating a process for candidates to answer specific questions from your members.The questions were very thoughtful. When we decided to run we were hoping that the community would start to have conversations at this level of depth and we are so glad that you did. This is exactly how our community moves forward.We've made our responses to your questions available for the entire community to read as a pdf document.Sincerely,
Nareen Jabbour, Jeff Blank, and Lucas Cioffi
WHAT We'RE HEARING
WHY IS THE SCHOOL BOARD NOT LISTENING TO US?
• Many residents expressed frustration at not knowing about major initiatives like last year's $67 million bond issue until it was too late.• Many residents noted that, when they ask questions at school board meetings or via email/letters, they never receive responses.• Many longtime residents who are now empty nesters asked why they no longer receive newsletters or communications about school affairs despite still paying significant taxes.
WHY IS THE SCHOOL'S ACADEMIC RIGOR DECLINING?
• Many parents expressed concern that students are not receiving many any writing assignments or instruction particularly at the middle school level.• Many parents of elementary and middle school children expressed frustration that they need to use supplemental academic programs like Russian School of Math or to hire private tutors because the school's regular curriculum is not sufficient.• Many parents noted that increasing numbers of their neighbors and friends are opting for private schools (despite still paying Edgemont's high taxes) because the EHS curriculum is not keeping up with the times.• Many parents questioned why Edgemont has larger class size standards than NYC public schools despite having vastly greater resources.
WHY IS THE SCHOOL'S CULTURE DETERIORATING?
• Many parents are wondering why the school board seems satisfied with being a "good" school and not enthusiastically striving to be a "great" one.• Many parents are upset that cherished traditions like field trips that form "the heart and soul of an Edgemont experience" have disappeared without any coherent explanation and without feedback from the community.• Many parents are frustrated that their kids can no longer socialize at the elementary schools after the final bell. Unstructured social interactions form bonds and connections between kids that are the foundation of our community. School grounds are the best places for these bonds to form.
WHY IS THE SCHOOL NOT PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE?
• Many parents are wondering why the school won't expand the world language curriculum to include Mandarin and other non-European languages.• Many parents are wondering why the school won't expand programs like PLTW to the younger grades sooner to build important critical-thinking and problem-solving skills earlier.• Many parents are wondering why the school doesn't yet have a plan for AI-enabled classrooms and academic policies.
NAREEN JABBOUR
I'm Nareen Jabbour, a proud 12-year Edgemont resident and the parent of three children spanning every level of our schools. Like so many of you, I chose Edgemont for its outstanding educational reputation—and as a current Board of Education trustee, I’ve worked to bring greater transparency, accountability, and academic focus to our district. Now, I’m seeking a second term to continue that work and ensure Edgemont’s schools live up to the excellence our community expects and deserves.Professionally, I bring over 15 years of leadership experience in public health, scientific research, and education. I earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology and a Master of Public Health from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and I've managed major initiatives and $400 million budgets for the U.S. Department of State. This background has equipped me to analyze complex data, make evidence-based decisions, and manage resources efficiently—all crucial skills for effective school governance.During my first term on the Board, I've served on the district's finance, curriculum, and HR sub-committees, where I focus on balancing educational innovation with responsible budgeting.
I've consistently advocated for transparent communication with parents and worked to make sure our curriculum doesn’t just meet current standards but also prepare kids for the future —deliberately developing both technical proficiencies like AI and data literacy alongside essential human capabilities such as creative and analytical thinking, adaptability, and collaborative leadership. The future is coming, and our job is to make sure they’re ready.But what truly drives me is my personal journey. As the first in my immigrant family to earn graduate degrees, I know the power of opportunity—and the importance of creating schools where every child feels seen, supported, and challenged to grow. As a parent with children in elementary, Jr/Sr high school, and college, I understand the concerns families have at each stage of the educational journey and am committed to addressing them.I'm passionate about fostering not just academic excellence, but also resilience, character, and a global perspective in every student. In today's rapidly changing world, our children need more than just strong test scores—they need the critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence to navigate complex challenges.Edgemont is a special community, and I've been honored to serve on your Board. I'm committed to making sure every voice is heard and every decision puts students first. I would be honored to serve you and to work together to keep Edgemont’s future strong.
JEFF BLANK
I'm Jeff Blank, a seasoned public sector attorney with more than fifteen years of experience leading legal and regulatory operations at high levels of New York City and State government. Most recently, I served as Managing Director of Legal Operations for the NYS Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where I led a cross-functional legal team managing $4.4 billion in federal disaster recovery funding. Prior to that, I held senior leadership roles at the NYC Department of Health and NYC Housing Preservation Development, enforcing major public health efforts, overseeing regulatory initiatives, and fighting for tenants' rights. Now, as an Edgemont alumnus and parent, I’m ready to apply my legal expertise, operational insight, and deep commitment to public service to the Edgemont Board of Education. I believe in thoughtful, community-driven leadership and open communication, and I’m ready to give back to the district that gave me so much.
LUCAS CIOFFI
I'm Lucas Cioffi, a proud Edgemont graduate and parent who chose to return to this community to raise my own family. My Edgemont education opened doors that shaped my entire life path—and I'm committed to ensuring every child in our district has those same opportunities.My journey took me from Edgemont to West Point, where I developed leadership skills that I carried through five years as an Army officer, including service in a combat zone. This experience taught me the importance of teamwork, strategic thinking, and making decisions under pressure—all skills directly applicable to effective school board governance.As a senior software engineer for a venture-funded startup processing $80 million in transactions monthly, I bring deep technical expertise at a time when technology is transforming education. I understand the digital landscape our students will enter, and I can help ensure our district makes smart technology decisions that truly enhance learning rather than simply chase trends.But my most meaningful work happens right here in Edgemont. I've coached our children's softball and baseball teams, mentored high school students developing community-focused technology, and co-founded the Westchester Youth Congress—which has empowered over 100 students to make real impact through coordinated community service. These experiences have given me valuable perspective on what our students need to thrive both academically and personally.My wife also graduated from Edgemont, and we returned because we know firsthand how special this community is. As parents, we want our schools to provide the same academic excellence we experienced while adapting to prepare students for a rapidly changing future. On the board, I'll bring a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and deep community investment to help build the next chapter of Edgemont Excellence.