By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY The Board of Education welcomed Sandra M. Donnay to its ranks late Tuesday evening, but the decision didn’t come easily or quickly as the board struggled slightly to get a majority vote.
Ms. Donnay was up against four other local residents: Jay Barrett, Richard Cavalli, Dharmesh Dosi and Varsha Lala.
With an audience of two, the board publicly interviewed the candidates to find the best replacement for Dr. Christine Abrahams, who resigned due to time constraints.
Faced with one vacant seat and two absent members, the six-member board needed a majority vote of four to successfully pick a candidate. Board members Shalini Bhargava and Humberto Goldoni were absent.
After the interviews, the board went into closed session for about 20 minutes before coming back and casting their initial votes: Ms Donnay received three, Mr. Doshi received two and Mr. Cavalli received one. The candidates were narrowed down to Ms. Donnay and Mr. Doshi before the board went into another closed session to reevaluate their choices.
The second deliberation resulted in Ms. Donnay winning with a 4-2 vote. At nearly 10 p.m., Business Administrator Tom Venanzi swore in Ms. Donnay. She will carry out the remainder of Ms. Abrahams’ term, which expires this year, but will still be able to run for election on Nov. 5 to keep her seat. Prior to her election, Ms. Donnay did express interest in following that path.
”It was hard for us to decide,” said Board President Arun Rimal. “I’m pleased you all showed interest in volunteering for this vacancy.”
Ms. Donnay has a background in accounting and doing financial audits, but is currently focusing on completing her dissertation to get her doctorate in psychology with an emphasis on child development. She is particularly interested in the social and emotional development of children.
”I believe school systems have a critical influence on the development outside of their families,” she told the board. “What we do or don’t do here at Montgomery matters now and in the future for the children as well as their families. We need to raise a whole person to go out into the world and use their skills to improve the lives of others.”
Ms. Donnay thought that her studies, researching skills, prior business experience and her life experience as a mother would make her a good addition to the board. As an immigrant from the Caribbean, she thought she could also bring a multicultural perspective to the table.
Ms. Donnay also has teaching experience, is a volunteer on the Montgomery Democratic Committee, a member of the Environmental Committee and was active in churches when she lived in Piscataway until she came to Montgomery four years ago.
”I personally believe I make the world better and let children know each of them is active in improving the world,” she said.
Ms. Donnay will now have to undergo a criminal background check within 30 days of her election, according to a recent state law.
