Two new board members take their seats
By: David Campbell
The Princeton Regional Board of Education elected Michael Mostoller to be the new board president and Alan Hegedus to be vice president at its reorganization meeting Tuesday night.
"The combination of Michael Mostoller’s and Alan Hegedus’ board experience and professional expertise forms a strong leadership team for the community’s schools," Superintendent Judith A. Wilson said following Tuesday night’s meeting. "Each has the gift of being a visionary as well as a ‘roll up your sleeves’ worker. Their devotion and commitment will continue to propel the district’s work to new heights."
Mr. Mostoller replaces former Princeton Township member Anne Burns, a six-year veteran of the board who did not seek re-election in the April 18 school board elections. Mr. Hegedus replaces Mr. Mostoller as vice president. The two positions each carry terms of one year.
Also Tuesday night, the oath of office was delivered for two newly elected board members Mia Cahill, an attorney and Ridgeview Road resident who fills the township seat vacated by Ms. Burns, and Rebecca Cox, a former financial journalist and Madison Street resident who ran unopposed to fill one of two available seats in Princeton Borough.
Incumbent Joshua Leinsdorf, an election analyst and Forester Drive resident who ran unopposed to retain his borough seat, was sworn in for a third term at Tuesday night’s reorganization meeting.
Like Ms. Burns, former borough member Glenn Schiltz, who served one three-year term on the board, did not seek re-election. In the April 18 school elections, Ms. Cahill defeated Tupelo Row resident and retail manager Caroline Mitchell for the one contested township seat by a vote of 670-341.
The board has nine elected Princeton members and one appointee from Cranbury, a sending district to Princeton High School. On Tuesday night, Adam Hawes was named to continue as the Cranbury representative.
Ms. Wilson said she "wholeheartedly" welcomes Ms. Cox’s and Ms. Cahill’s talents and energy to the board.
"Each brings a professional skill set that will serve the board’s needs well," she said. "The fact that both new members have perspectives as alumni and parents of Princeton Regional Schools students will add to their contributions as leaders and decision makers for the greater community."
Mr. Mostoller said he is "very enthused" to be able to serve as board president. "I think we have a wonderful school district that’s so diverse and so excellent already that it’s an honor to be president," he said.
He said his priorities include furthering three key goals set by the board with Ms. Wilson fostering individual achievement for every student; curriculum development and integration across grades; and, tied in with these two goals, professional development for teachers.
At the same time, Mr. Mostoller continued, "The community really needs to come together on the value of education because we are beset on all sides."
He said the federal and state government are setting higher standards for student achievement, and yet reducing funding. He said it is a situation of "escalating demands and diminishing resources," and said, "The whole community needs to have this discussion."
Mr. Mostoller spoke highly of the board’s two new members. He said both bring a wealth of experience as professionals, district volunteers and parents.
"I think these two people are going to be terrific," he said. "They’re really going to add something really wonderful to the board."
Mr. Hegedus said he is "thrilled to take on the responsibility" of board vice president. "I feel we have a great board truly dedicated to doing the right thing under difficult financial and economic circumstances," he said.
His primary interest as a board officer, he said, will be to apply his corporate and board experience toward "maximizing the academic value we’re getting for the taxpayer dollar."
Mr. Hegedus called Ms. Cahill and Ms. Cox "well qualified, dedicated and very timely picks for us" to serve on the board. "The school system will profit by them taking the time and having the interest to serve the school system," he said.