METUCHEN — Among those running for seats on the Metuchen Board of Education are an incumbent and two newcomers.
Fran Brennan, 45, is a 10-year resident of the township and has three children. She is currently wrapping up her second term and believes that her expertise in business and financial matters may be the key to serving for another three-year run.
“I have experience as a CPA and I always have my eye on the ball when it comes to finances within our school district,” Brennan said.
Brennan also said that now is the time for the taxpayers of the borough to hold on to experienced board members rather than going in a different direction.
“Now is not the time to bring untested and inexperienced leadership to our board,” Brennan said. “With the way things are today, with districts struggling so much, we can’t afford to have experienced people not on this board.”
Brennan said she is accessible and is involved in district activities.
“I have three kids in different schools within Metuchen, so I see firsthand how the board’s decisions impact our schools all the time,” she said.
As for the budget, which has passed in each of Brennan’s six years on the board, she does acknowledge that this year might be a different story.
“You never know what may happen, and this year that’s totally true,” Brennan said. “People may want to rebel against all that has gone on with taxes. And with the school board election, it’s really their only chance to speak out, and the school budget may suffer because of it.”
“We really do need to raise the bar all the way around. Improvements need to be made so that the kids can have the best opportunity to succeed,” Brennan said.
Tanya Andrews, 41, is a teacher in nearby Woodbridge and is running for the first time.
“As an educator, I feel that I may bring a different perspective to the board,” Andrews said.
Andrews said that a full-day kindergarten program is something that the board should look into and that it “needs to become a reality.”
Her focus would also be on the general education requirements within the high school, not just those that have to do with students taking advanced placement (AP) classes.
As for the budget, Andrews is optimistic that it will pass on April 21.
“But I don’t think it’ll be as easy as it was in previous years,” Andrews said. “We really do need to scrutinize how we’re spending this money. The way that this district spends money is something that needs to be checked out as we go forward.”
Joann Sabatino-Falkenstein, 43, has lived in Metuchen for the past decade and has two children. She is also running for the first time and believes that candidates and board members should attend meetings on a regular basis.
“Over the past year, I have been to many of the board meetings, and that’s not something that I can say for other candidates and even current board members,” Sabatino-Falkenstein said. “By attending, I really have learned a lot more about the intricacies of how a board should operate.”
She said that overcrowding is a problem that may only get worse as time goes on.
“It’s nice to be budget-conscious, but we also have to look at what’s going on in the district as a whole,” Sabatino-Falkenstein said. “I’d also really like to see the public get involved. I want to see the borough and district get together on things more often.”
She also noted, like many other candidates, that it will be difficult to get the budget passed this year. If it does go through, she wants to see the money spent on the things that matter most.
“Each school in our district has tried to stabilize spending, which is the right move,” Sabatino-Falkenstein said. “Overall, this district really needs to get prepared for the growth that will occur over the next five years, and I think that I can certainly help.”