Marvin Braverman, John Leary, and Rita Ostrager were sworn in during the school’s board reorganization meeting Wednesday night.
By: Marisa Maldonado
MONROE The Board of Education kept its leadership intact at its Wednesday reorganization meeting, where it also swore three members.
Kathy Kolupanowich was re-elected president for the second year in a row, while Lew Kaufman was renamed vice president. Board member Amy Speizer, who nominated both, said Ms. Kolupanowich could lead the board through upcoming challenges such as negotiations for teachers’ contracts and relatively flat state aid.
"She’s shown us quality leadership throughout the year," said Ms. Speizer. "She knows we have a tough year ahead of us."
The January passage of a $26.8 million elementary school referendum is one accomplishment cited by Ms. Kolupanowich as she accepted her re-election. But, she said, the work is far from over.
"We still have a ways to go in building the buildings and controlling the growth in this community," Ms. Kolupanowich said.
Ms. Kolupanowich thanked the board members for their almost-unanimous selection Carol Haring abstained from both presidential and vice presidential votes and complemented them for their hard work even when they disagreed.
"The one thing we agree on is the kids in the district always come first," Ms. Kolupanowich said.
The board also swore in the three winners of April 18’s school board election: Marvin Braverman, who was elected to a fourth term; John Leary, who won a second term in office; and newcomer Rita Ostrager.
Mr. Leary also was renamed the board’s representative to the Middlesex Regional Education Services Commission.
Several board members recognized Harold Pollack, who lost his re-election bid after one term in office.
"I, for one, am going to miss working with Harold Pollack," Mr. Kaufman said. "He was very much an active part of this Board of Education."