BY JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY – Newcomers will be joining the South Amboy Board of Education (BOE).
Amy McLaughlin, who is married to Councilman-Elect Brian McLaughlin, and Raymond Perez, along with incumbent Tyler Simko, won the seats in the contested portion of the race, defeating incumbents Jessica Colacci and Samantha Seaman. McLaughlin registered 1,549 votes, Perez picked up 991 and Simko received 960. Colacci, meanwhile, had 881, and Seaman, 645.
Kevin Riley won the uncontested race for the unexpired one-year term.
Brian McLaughlin said the same desire for change at the council level helped determine the outcome of the BOE race.
“The school board election went in the same direction. There are now two newcomers on the BOE that have children in the school system. Hopefully, with some change on the BOE, new ideas will bring change to the board,” he said.
Simko said he is happy to be able to start a second term thanks to last week’s win. He said he felt personally connecting with voters during his door-to-door canvassing helped him at the polls.
He said he also felt that voters are looking for change at the board level; something he said his unique background represents.
“I have professional STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experience, I don’t have children in the district, and I’m a recent graduate,” he said of what sets him apart from the other choices voters had. “I believe that these qualities can be assets to the board that will help to ensure that we form progressive and innovative policies that will benefit all students.
“Our district certainly has many positive qualities, but there is a great deal that can be improved. People are looking for candidates who have fresh ideas and new perspectives, and I think that emphasizing this during my campaign made the difference,” he said.
Simko strongly encourages residents to attend BOE meetings, reminding them that the next one is at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the South Amboy Middle High School cafeteria.