TEANECK, N.J. — Teaneck Board of Education Trustee James Wolff announced he will not seek re-election this November, saying he made the personal decision to step away from the board while continuing to advocate for local schools and students.

In a July 27 Facebook post, Wolff congratulated the candidates running for the three open Board of Education seats and said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.

“As the list of Board of Education candidates is announced, I want to wish every candidate the very best in their campaigns and in November's election,” Wolff wrote.

Wolff said that while he was eligible to run for another term, he decided not to seek re-election for personal reasons, including spending more time with his family.

“As many of you have now noticed, I will not be seeking reelection this year,” he wrote. “Although I was eligible to run for reelection and to serve another term, I made the personal decision not to seek reelection for personal reasons, including a desire to focus on my family. It has been an honor to serve the residents of Teaneck.”

Wolff noted that with only two incumbents seeking re-election, at least one challenger will earn a seat on the board this November.

Five candidates are running for three available Board of Education seats:

• Gerald B. Kirshenbaum and David Gruber, running on the “Reaching Higher” slate
• Marcelo F. Venegas-Pizarro, Eric Rhea and Liza Fernandez, running on the “Empowering Future Generations” slate

Wolff said he appreciates each candidate’s willingness to serve the community.

“I appreciate each candidate's willingness to serve our community and wish them all the very best,” he wrote.

Although he will leave the board, Wolff said his involvement with Teaneck schools will continue.

“While my service on the Board will come to an end, my commitment to our schools will not,” Wolff wrote. “I intend to continue advocating for our students, our families, our teachers, and our principals as the parent of a rising senior at Teaneck High School and as a member of this community.”

Wolff also joked about one part of his board responsibilities he will not miss — repeatedly including a disclaimer noting that his public comments reflected his personal views and not the official position of the Teaneck Board of Education.