PRINCETON: Voters to elect three to school board

By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
   On Wednesday voters in the Princetons will be asked to vote on the budget for the Board of Education for Princeton Regional Schools, with the total tax levy set at $62,190,302.
   Although a second ballot question to extend beyond the tax levy cap is needed, said Superintendent Judy Wilson, one will not be presented to voters.
   To describe the tax impact, Ms. Wilson said at the time that the budget was presented that an average borough home worth $747,795 would be $97.69, while in the township an average home of $827,065 would be $102.92.
   Also on the ballot will be three school board candidates and three open seats. One seat is in the borough, with one candidate running: incumbent Timothy Quinn. Two seats are open in the township, with two candidates running: incumbent Daniel Haughton and Afsheen Shamsi.
   Ms. Shamsi, the mother of a 12-year-old with autism, and her family moved to Princeton for the autism program.
   After working in the nonprofit sector for a number of years, Ms. Shamsi is now a consultant for nonprofits, assisting with fund-raising, and volunteers with the Princeton Education Foundation. She also ran for a seat on the board last year.
   Incumbent Dan Haughton ran three years ago on a two-pronged platform that remains his focus this year.
   ”One is to provide outstanding educational opportunities to the kids at all levels and all learning abilities, and also to be good fiduciary stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” said Mr. Haughton.
   Incumbent Timothy Quinn has served on the Program Committee, which deals with curriculum matters mostly. In terms of the need for the differentiation of instruction, he is a proponent of providing the necessary supports to make sure that all teachers are comfortable working with a wide range of learners.
   Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. at Princeton High School, John Witherspoon Middle School, Community Park School, Johnson Park School, Littlebrook School, Riverside School and the Suzanne Patterson Center. See the district website for specific information regarding your voting location.
   The budget can be viewed on the district website at: www.prs.k12.nj.us.