SAYREVILLE – Karen Rubio, Christopher Callahan and Phyllis Batko have won three-year terms on the Sayreville Board of Education.
Batko is a member of the board; Rubio and Callahan are newcomers who will join the panel in January.
When the results were tallied on Nov. 7, Rubio and Callahan emerged as the clear winners of three-year terms. Rubio won a seat by receiving 3,561 votes and Callahan won a seat by receiving 3,213 votes, according to results posted online by Middlesex County.
A closer race for the third seat occurred between Batko and Ryan De La Uz. Unofficial results show Batko retained her seat by receiving 2,231 votes to De La Uz’s 2,139 votes.
Incumbent Michael Macagnone, who joined the board in 2005, received 1,959 votes, according to the county. His term on the board will end in December.
The results of the election are unofficial until certified by Middlesex County.
Rubio has been a lifelong resident of Sayreville and made her first bid for a board seat in the 2017 election. She said she sought election with regards to primary and middle grade curriculum and hiring staff.
“It is my belief that the district has an excellent school safety record,” Rubio said. “They have worked to encourage and assist in college acceptances. I would use my voice for a clear curriculum in the primary and middle grades, and focus on the need to hire more staff to improve class size. A stronger basis provides for future success for students.”
During her first term on the board, Rubio said three areas of focus for her will be addressing a district effort to improve an attitude for success; utilizing technology to air Parent Involvement Council meetings online; and de-emphasizing high stakes testing and encouraging alternate assessments.
Callahan has been a resident of Sayreville for 33 years and made his first bid for a board seat in the 2017 election. He said he sought election to bring his experience as an educator to the district.
“My wife Lori and I have two young children in the Sayreville School District – Class of 2028 and Class of 2030,” Callahan said. “I want the best for my children, as well as all children. I want to bring my 15 years of educational experience to help the district continue the focus of providing a quality and challenging education for all students, while enabling them to compete successfully in the 21st century.”
During his first term on the board, Callahan said three areas of focus for him will be ensuring that the district gets adequate funding as new construction comes to Sayreville; supporting the district’s teachers and administrative staff; and ensuring that the district continues to have the safest schools and procedures possible.
Batko has been a resident of Sayreville for 48 years and a member of the board for 12 years. She said she sought re-election to continue her work for the district and the borough.
“While much change and progress has been implemented during my tenure on the Board of Education, there is still more to be accomplished,” Batko said. “In today’s world, students need a solid education to succeed. I believe a good school system is the backbone of any community.”
During her next three years on the board, Batko said three areas of focus for her will be improving college readiness of the district’s students; increased fiscal responsibility through allocating more tax money to fund classroom and student achievement, providing one Google Chromebook computer to each student and changing the budget process from a committee to a public forum with the entire board; and improving staff morale and decreasing teacher turnover.