WOODBRIDGE — Four candidates are vying for three, three-year terms available on the Woodbridge Board of Education during the November election.
Ezio Tamburello is seeking his fourth term on the board; Daniel Harris is seeking his third term; Susan Bourdin, who has been serving an unexpired term on the board since May, is seeking her first elected term; and Thomas E. Maras is seeking his first term.
Sue Bourdin, 45, who is an 11-year resident of Woodbridge, is married with a young daughter.
“I am running for a seat because I want to make a difference in my community,” she said. “I have a lot of experience in special education, but I want to be an influence on all of the students. I love technology and like the direction the district is going in terms of technology in the classroom. I am interested in trying to help create a well-rounded curriculum. We have a great administration who are willing to listen and try new things. I love that about this district. We have a very close working relationship with [Mayor John E. McCormac] and the township that makes us pretty unique and helps the board meet new goals. Lastly, I love to help and will do so however I can.”
Bourdin is a small business owner. In the community, she has been an active member of P.A.C.E., the district’s extended school year program, for seven years, and she has been active in Buddy Ball, the area’s special needs sports program, for six years.
“I try to get around to as many community events as I can,” she said.
Daniel Harris, 32, is a lifelong resident of the township.
“I want to keep the district’s progress going,” he said. “In the past decade, our board has worked with Mayor McCormac and the council to enact over 20 shared services. As a result of efficient governing, we have invested in our curriculum, technology and physical plant while keeping taxes in check. We have replaced roofs, windows, doors and boilers with energy efficient products. District-wide, we have installed internet access points, solar panels and air conditioning. We are transitioning to digital curriculum and have provided all students grades 8-12 with their own computer device. We have invested over $30 million in our arts and athletic facilities to improve opportunities for the entire community.”
Harris said with the enactment of state and assembly state aid bills over the summer, the Woodbridge Township School District is poised to receive its long overdue fair funding from the state as per the state’s reworked school funding formula.
“The increase in aid is expected over the next six years,” he said. “We must be prepared to invest the new revenue in the most efficient and effective manner such as providing tax relief to our residents, investing in the completion of district-wide air conditioning, purchase of additional classroom curriculum, equipment, materials, paying down debt as well as any remaining security enhancements.”
Harris is employed as legislative director for New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex). In the community, he said along with his six years on the board, he has been active in the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the Mayor’s Advocacy Committee on Education and the American Irish Association of Woodbridge; is co-chair of the bi-annual Colonia Cleanup Committee; and is a trustee of the Middlesex County Young Democrats.
Ezio Tamburello, 52, who is a 25-year Woodbridge resident, is married with three children, who all have been educated in the Woodbridge public schools.
“I am running for re-election because experience counts and leadership matters in public service,” he said. “I’ve been involved in local education for over 20 years and I’m proud to have been part of the tremendous progress that our school district has seen over the last 10 years. I want to continue to work for this community to make our schools even greater.”
Tamburello said the public overwhelmingly supported the township’s recent referendum initiatives for school construction, district-wide full day kindergarten and increase in security.
“I was involved during the implementation phase of these initiatives and I am looking forward to seeing these projects, along with many others, through to completion in a cost effective and timely manner,” he said.
Tamburello is employed as a senior project manager for one the largest mid-stream energy companies in North America. In the community, Tamburello said in addition to being a board member, he is an active member of the Colonia Knights of Columbus, is a member of the Mayor’s Advocacy Committee on Education and is a member of the township sewer advisory.
Thomas Maras could not be reached by press time.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.