BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MONROE — An incumbent, a former board member and a newcomer grabbed the three, three-year seats on the Monroe Board of Education (BOE) that were available in the election Nov. 8.
Former board Member Ken Chiarella registered the most votes with 8,083. Incumbent Michele M. Arminio received 6,163 votes. Newcomer Patricia Mary Lang gained 6,089 votes for the third spot.
Incumbent Thomas S. Nothstein, who was seeking his second term, collected 5,390 votes; former board Member George “Doug” Poye, who was seeking a second term on the board, received 5,501 votes; and newcomer Anand “Andy” Paluri recorded 4,344 votes.
Chiarella will serve his third term on the board. He previously served two terms from 2008-14.
He said he would like to congratulate Arminio and Lang on their election victories, thank board members Lew Kaufman and Nothstein for their service on the board as well as the voters, his wife and children for their support.
“We have work to do,” he said. “I will work with other board members to ensure that we have a viable plan for housing our children and that the plan gets implemented immediately before we are in a crisis situation. We need greater transparency for our taxpayers so that they understand what their money is being spent on.”
Chiarella said he believes that the board also needs to fight in Trenton for funding.
“We have done enough sitting on our hands, waiting for our elected officials to fund the funding formula and get relief to our taxpayers,” he said. “The teachers are not the cause of the problem. It is popular to blame our teachers, but the blame belongs to Trenton for not funding their mandates, the funding formula, and for not allowing towns to ask for impact fees from developers.”
Chiarella said he also believes the board needs to petition the Monroe Township administration and put a moratorium on new applications for developments.
“We need a true partnership between the BOE and the municipal government,” he said.
Arminio, who will serve her second term, said she is grateful for the privilege of being re-elected to the board.
“I appreciate the grassroots support of the citizens of Monroe interested in open and accountable government officials,” she said. “I strive to promote academic excellence for our students and best operational practices for the district.”
Arminio said rapid, high-density construction increases new student enrollment by nearly 200 children per year.
“While the BOE does not control municipally zoned or planned developments, the board is tasked with housing these students and the budgetary cost of their education,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with all board members in an effort to make responsible decisions for Monroe’s future.”
Arminio said she welcomes Lang and Chiarella. She added that she is grateful for having worked with Nothstein, who was her running mate in the election.
“Mr. Nothstein served the BOE with clear purpose and ethical character,” she said. “He adhered to the rule of law and fact-based decision-making. His civic mindedness continues to contribute to our Monroe community.”
Lang, who will serve her first term, said she is grateful for the support and encouragement that she received from the community throughout the election process.
“I was able to freely express my need for and belief in public education,” she said. “I feel that Monroe Township is standing with me in support of our students and teachers. I am very excited with my new role. I know that as a new board member there is a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
Lang said she looks forward to working on the board to make sure all of the students reach their educational potential while always keeping the taxpayers in mind.
Contact Kathy Chang at [email protected].