lead E.B. school board
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Two weeks after an election in which its school budget was approved, the Board of Education decided to keep its leadership the same.
At its reorganization meeting Tuesday night, the board voted unanimously for Michael Baker to serve another year as president and for Charles King to remain as vice president.
The board also swore in Baker and incumbent Vicki Becker, along with newcomer Dr. Susan Karp to three-year terms. The three, who edged out three other candidates in the April 15 election, were given the oath of office by Board Secretary Bernardo Giuliana.
Once he began chairing the meeting, Baker said the board plans to honor former member Patrick Sirr, who served for 18 years before losing his bid for re-election April 15.
"Much of what has happened in this district is due to Mr. Sirr," Baker said.
Sirr finished fourth in the running, winding up with 2,028 votes, according to Giuliana. Karp was the leading vote-getter with 2,934 votes, while Becker garnered 2,668 and Baker 2,380 votes. Newcomers Robert Jandernal and Lawrence Schrier finished with 1,631 and 1,298 votes, respectively.
The roughly $102 million budget was approved by a vote of 2,842 to 2,154.
Giuliana said the district just received the final results from the county and will present them soon. The updated vote counts will not change the outcome, he said.
Board member Dennis Lai nominated Baker to return as president, and Susan Lamond seconded the motion.
"I’d like to thank my colleagues for their continued support," Baker said upon taking his seat as president, a position he has held since taking over for former member Neal Rosen a year earlier. He said he will continue to do the best job he can as president.
Board member Jodi Doud nominated King to serve again as vice president, and the motion was seconded by Baker.
"It is my honor to continue to serve as your partner," Baker told King.
"Charlie King’s dedication to our school district is unquestioned," Doud said, adding that he approaches his role with an eye toward both fiscal responsibility and excellence in education.
Baker said he is also looking forward to working with Karp, who has been involved with several PTAs in the district.
Board members were still excited about having a budget passed for the first time in three years.
"I think it was overwhelming to all of us, the extent to which our budget passed," Baker said.
He thanked a number of groups, including the teachers’ union, the PTAs and senior citizens’ groups, for helping the board spread its message and disseminate information about the budget.
Also at the meeting, the board voted to maintain longtime Board Attorney Martin Pachman, who owns a practice in Freehold, for another year.
The board also voted to have the law firm of McManimon & Scotland, of Newark, serve as bond counsel.
In addition, the board voted to approve the following banks to serve as official depositories for district funds: PNC Bank, of East Brunswick and South River; Fleet Bank of East Brunswick; First Union Bank of East Brunswick; and Morgan Stanley Trust/State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund, Jersey City.