The current board president has served six years
By: Rachel Silverman
Anne Burns, a six-year veteran of the Princeton Regional Board of Education and its current president, will not seek re-election this spring, she announced at Tuesday night’s board meeting.
Ms. Burns, a 15-year Princeton resident and mother of five, reflected on her tenure during a follow-up interview Wednesday.
"It’s been six wonderful years," she said.
"It was a good school system 10 years ago," she continued. "It’s an even better school system now."
Ms. Burns credited "strong principals and a wonderful group of parent volunteers," as well as "a very functional board," for making great strides in the district.
"We’ve got a good team in place for the administration," she said.
Among other things, Ms. Burns heralded the Princeton Education Foundation’s continued presence, the district’s renewed focus on learning differences and a "seamless transition" between superintendents Claire Sheff Kohn and Judy Wilson.
She also applauded the construction process.
"We’re inching toward completion," Ms. Burns said. "The end is in sight."
But large questions loom, Ms. Burns said.
"I think the biggest challenge is how do we fund public education," Ms. Burns said.
She also wondered what should be done with the Valley Road building, which houses the district’s administration offices.
Ms. Burns said she’d highly recommend the presidency to interested parties.
"It’s a great place for someone who has energy and commitment," Ms. Burns said. "There’s nothing you can do that’s more valuable than volunteer time for kids’ education."
As for herself, Ms. Burns will be busy acting as a warden at Trinity Church, and helping her youngest two children navigate the district.
A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Ms. Burns has worked as an editor at Rutgers University and as a press secretary to former Gov. Brendan T. Byrne. She’s long been active with the PTO, and has served on the Board of Education’s personnel, facilities and finance committees, among others.

