New president and vice president were appointed to the East Windsor Regional Board of Education at an April 26 meeting.
By: Marisa Maldonado
HIGHTSTOWN The Board of Education entered the eye of the "perfect storm" on Tuesday as it appointed a new president and vice president in a quiet meeting, its first gathering since voters defeated the $66.6 million budget April 19.
Ricardo Perez, who served as vice president for three years, succeeded Bruce Ettman as president in a unanimous vote by board members. Mr. Perez ran unopposed for the position.
"I’d like to thank everyone for showing confidence in me," Mr. Perez said. "We’ll see how I do."
Mr. Perez, who is one year into his second term, was unavailable for further comment.
Mr. Ettman, who served three terms as president and also was nominated for vice president, said he expected to serve only two but was asked back for a third year because of the transition period between superintendents.
"It’s a ceremonial position, primarily," he said. "It’s just work."
He said he did not know he would be nominated for vice president until several minutes before the meeting began.
Board member Suzann Fallon said Mr. Ettman should be commended for his "tremendous work" as board president, particularly with the challenges of the past year.
"Certainly he deserves a break and a rest," Ms. Fallon said. "But he’s been 110 percent all the time."
The board elected Robert Laverty as vice president over Mr. Ettman. Board members Stuart Dolgon, Mr. Perez and Mr. Ettman all voted for Mr. Ettman.
Board members Mr. Dolgon, Mr. Laverty, Suzanne Fallon, Bonnie Fayer, James Hauck and Alice Weisman voted for Mr. Laverty.
Board member Susan Lloyd abstained from both votes.
Mr. Laverty said he was surprised that no audience members spoke during public comment session about the budget, which voters rejected by 61 percent to 39 percent. He said he hopes more residents speak out during the joint meetings with the borough and township councils.
"It’s very important for them to speak to the importance of the value of our children’s education," he said.
Superintendent Ronald Bolandi outlined the process through which the defeated budget will proceed. The Hightstown and East Windsor councils will meet with the Board of Education in a public forum where residents can express their thoughts.
A week later, another public meeting will be held to finalize any action, said Mr. Bolandi, who has likened this year’s budget to the "perfect storm," with not enough revenue to make the changes he would like.
The board and councils have not set a final date for the meetings, Mr. Ettman said. The councils must send a final budget to the Mercer County Board of Taxation and Mercer County superintendent of education by May 19.
The board can appeal any cuts or additions within 10 business days of the budget’s receipt by the county.
"It’s a simple (process)," Mr. Bolandi said. "But it’s also a very exhausting one."
The defeated budget would have increased the school tax rate by 26 cents in East Windsor, resulting in a $3.08 tax rate per $100 of assessed property value. Hightstown residents would have seen an 18-cent tax rate increase to $3.19.
Any cuts to the budget would hurt the quality of education in the district, Mr. Laverty said.
"I want to make it clear that I’m not in favor of cutting anything as part of any compromise with the council," he said. "We presented to the public a very clear message that this budget was the best we could do."
The board also reappointed Turp, Coates, Essl & Driggers, P.C. to serve as its attorney. The district will pay the Hightstown-based firm $17,300 a year for representation.
Suzann Fallon, Susan Lloyd and Alice Weisman, the three board incumbents re-elected to a second term April 19, were sworn in.