By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — The Board of Education has appointed a 10-year resident to fill a recent vacancy.
Salvatore Casale, 38, was unanimously appointed to the board last week. Board member Laura Dreifus was the only member absent at the time of the vote.
”I am hoping to learn more about the process and the duties of the board because it seems extremely challenging,” he said Monday. “I believe my experience in the private sector can have an impact, just looking at issues from the outside in.”
Mr. Casale, who works at Merrill Lynch, said the board has done a good job at managing costs, but taxes are still an issue. He also said that officials should address a “trust problem” within the district.
”I think the general consensus in the community is that teachers and administrators are just not on the same page as parents,” he said.
Mr. Casale and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, ages 5 and 7. The Timberline Court resident has never before served on any Millstone governing body, but said he has been active in the Little League and township.
The vacancy on the board was created Aug. 25 when Mitali Vasa submitted her resignation. She was appointed to fill the seat in May after it had been left vacant since the April 15 election.
Mr. Casale will serve until the April 2009 school board elections, Board Secretary Bernard Biesiada said.

