Our Mission & Goals

Paterson Education Fund (PEF) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate community action for change so that the Paterson Public Schools ensure that all Paterson children achieve high standards.


PEF’s Goals are:

  • To build our community’s civic capacity to support, monitor, and advocate education reform.

  • To educate and enable community leadership to understand and act on changing education needs.

  • To provide a forum for the community to effectively participate in the decision-making processes concerning education.


Founded in 1983, PEF’s activities build and nourish a constituency for systematic school reform by educating the community on the importance of high standards and expectations in providing quality education for all children. PEF convenes and brokers relationships between the Paterson school district and private sector entities interested in public education in Paterson.

Linda Reid, Program Manager

Unique Smith, Program Manager

Meet the Team

Rosie Grant, Executive Director

Mary Anne Fanning, Project Director-21st CCLC

Annette Wignall, Office Manager

Brenda Ramos, Program Director

PEF Board of Directors

Michelle Abel, Chair, Banking and Financial Consultant

Karen Brown, Esq., Secretary, Law Offices of Karen Brown, LLC

Arthur Scialla, Treasurer, Ace Reprographic Service

Melissa Baralt, Ph.D., Berkeley College

Orlando Cruz, Greater Chamber of Commerce

Xiania Foster, Higher Education and Early Literacy Consultant

Errol Kerr, Community Member

Perry Lighty, Valley

Dr. Laurie Newell, Superintendent [Ex-officio]

Paterson Pubic Schools Board of Education

The Paterson Board of Education is the governing body of Paterson Public Schools. As of January 6, 2021, The N.J. Board of Education restored control of the Paterson Public Schools solely to the Paterson Board of Education after nearly 30 years of state control. The decision brought the voices of Paterson families and other residents back into the decision-making process on matters that affect the education of Paterson's children and their families. 

For more information on the Paterson Public Schools District, please click on their link here: www.paterson.k12.nj.us

  • Ms. Nakima Redmon

    President

  • Ms. Dania Martinez

    Vice President

  • Ms. Oshin Castillo-Cruz

    Commissioner

  • Ms. Valerie Freeman

    Commissioner

  • Mr. Eddie Gonzalez

    Commissioner

  • Dr. Jonathan Hodges

    Commissioner

  • Mr. Manuel Martinez, Jr.

    Commissioner

  • Ms. Della McCall

    Commissioner

  • Mr. Kenneth L. Simmons

    Commissioner