Long, Nathanson, Parker and Taylor elected

Voters chose a mix of experienced and new candidates to fill the seats on the Board of Education.

By: Marisa Maldonado
   Voters elected a mix of experienced and new candidates as they filled four seats on the Board of Education in Tuesday’s school election.
   Incumbent Robert F. Long, Barry Nathanson, who served one term before losing re-election last year, and Stephen F. Parker were elected to three-year seats on the board. Voters chose Deborah Taylor to fill a one-year unexpired term vacated last fall by Michael Mahan, defeating 15-year incumbent Daniel Watts, who ran for the one-year seat, as his three-year term expires this year.
   Mr. Long was the top vote-getter in the three-year race, with 2,047 votes. Dr. Parker received 1,686 votes and Mr. Nathanson received 1,534 votes. Bryan Wojaczyk, the fourth candidate, lost his bid, receiving 1,457 votes.
   Ms. Taylor received 937 votes to win the race for the one-year seat, while Dr. Watts received 699 votes, Arthur Robinson 639 votes and Ed Birch 288 votes. Results are unofficial until certified by the Middlesex County clerk’s office.
   Incumbents Bryan Laurita, the current board president, and John Wolf, who was filling the second year of the term vacated by Mr. Mahan, did not seek re-election.
   Dr. Parker, who has served on several board committees, said he tried to leave politics out of the election, only campaigning by talking to people he knew.
   "I was completely unsure (as to how I would do)," he said. "But I’m excited."
   Mr. Long, who has been on the board since he was appointed to fill an unexpired term in 1997, said he was just as happy to see the school budget pass, something he attributed to yearlong efforts by the administration and board. He also said he appreciated the "confidence" voters had shown in his abilities.
   "Now the work begins," Mr. Long said.
   Ms. Taylor said she looks forward to learning from her fellow board members and examining issues that she feels could benefit from a fresh perspective.
   "I’d like to be that new sets of eyes — I’m happy about that," Ms. Taylor said. "I’m also excited about being an advocate for children."
   Dr. Watts, who ran for the one-year seat because he was unsure if time commitments would allow him to serve longer, said he appreciated the voters who kept him in office for five nonconsecutive terms. He said it was too soon to decide if he would run for another term in the future, but said he would help the schools in any way he can in the meantime.
   "It’s difficult, probably not even quite appropriate, for someone who has been on the board to try to find ways to be involved," Dr. Watts said. "(But) if there are opportunities that come up when I can make a contribution, I’d be happy to do that."