South Brunswick residents have a say in school board elections
By: Rebecca Tokarz
The South Brunswick Board of Education could have a new look to it in the coming year, as three seats are up for grabs in the upcoming April election.
Carole O’Brien, who has served on the board since 1994, says she plans to run for another term on the school board. Bob Long and Daniel Watts are undecided if they will run for re-election to their posts, which expire in April. Dr. Watts has served on the school board for seven nonconsecutive years. Mr. Long has served on the board since 1997.
Mr. Long and Dr. Watts both said they are considering another run for the school board, but have not finalized any decisions.
Ms. O’Brien said there are too many critical things going on in the district and believes her experience on the board will be an asset to the district.
"I have a lot of history with the board and the township," she said. "I think I can help the board."
The district announced last week that it is accepting nominating petitions from interested South Brunswick residents. A seat on the nine-member Board of Education is an elected position. Terms are for three years.
Interested persons should pick up a candidate kit at the school board office on Executive Drive.
Nominating petitions must be filed with Business Administrator Jeff Scott by 4 p.m. Feb. 24. The public will have the opportunity to meet the candidates prior to the April 15 election, at a yet to be determined date.
After serving two separate terms on the school board, Dr. Watts is uncertain if he will run again.
"It’s not a matter of if I want to do it, it’s a matter of how much time I have to do it," he said.
Mr. Long, whose work schedule involves a good deal of traveling, faces the same question. He calculated that in 2001 alone, he spent about the equivalent of 20 40-hour weeks working on the Board of Education matters, including regular and subcommittee meetings.
The Board of Education is in charge of the policy-making which runs the school district and the administration implements, Frank Belluscio, spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association said.
Collectively, the school board is responsible for providing adequate facilities and equipment, the necessary financing for the present and future of the district and effectively communicating educational issues and policies to the public.
Candidates for school board do not have to educators, they just need to be interested in the betterment of the children, Mr. Belluscio said.
"Members should have a genuine concern for the education of the children of the community," he said.
Mr. Long described himself as someone who wants to help make a difference, quietly, but effectively.
Mr. Long chairs the Personnel Committee and works on the Athletic Advisory and Budget committees. He also serves as board representative to Brunswick Acres and Crossroads South Middle School.
"I do a lot of behind the scenes work," he said.
The state requires that all school board members be able to read and write, live at least one year in the school district in which they are seeking election and have no interest in, any contract with or claim against, the school board. School board members cannot hold office as mayor or as a member of the municipal governing body and must be a registered voter in the district, Mr. Belluscio said.
He said school board members should have the time to devote to the position and need to be able to deal with criticism from the public.
While it is satisfying, it takes a long time to reach a consensus, he said.

