There will be an uncontested race for three three-year terms on the Cranbury Board of Education in the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.
The current terms of the three seats are being held by board members Robert Christopher, Lisa Rue and Amy Dixon, which end later this year.
The candidates on the ballot are Robert Christopher, Colleen Raymond and Lisa Rue.
No other candidates filed a nominating petition to seek a Board of Education seat.
Robert Christopher is running for a full-term on the board. He was appointed to a seat by Board of Education members earlier this year to replace Evelyn Spann when she earned her seat on the Township Committee.
Christopher has been a Cranbury resident for about 15 years and is a lifelong New Jerseyan. His three children are all in the Cranbury School District – two are sophomores at Princeton High School and a sixth grader at the Cranbury School. Christopher’s wife is also an educator at the Cranbury School.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of New Jersey. Christopher currently works professionally as the director of client success at Merkle, a marketing services firm.
When asked about why he decided to run for a seat on the Board of Education, he said, “As a parent, a taxpayer and the spouse of an educator, I have good insight into the district from a variety of viewpoints. I think the school is a foundation part of our community, and I’m looking to give back to the community.”
If elected, Christopher stated a top area of focus for him on the board will be technology in the district.
“From internet access, to platform management, to curriculum, technology is going to impact the district in every area. Additionally, it goes without saying, our ongoing response to COVID-19 will be at the forefront of everything we do for the duration of the 2020-21 school year and beyond,” he said.
Colleen Raymond looks to earn her first term on the Board of Education. She moved to Cranbury with her husband and two children more than four years ago.
“I have welcomed every opportunity to get involved at the school and in the community. I had the opportunity to serve on the Cranbury Education Foundation Board for the last four years and help run the Cranbury Craft Show, which provided us with funds to supplement the school’s budget,” she said. “I am a current member of the Junior League of Greater Princeton serving on the State Council for the Junior Leagues of New Jersey focused on educating current and future board members. I am a senior vice president at Bank of America and I am approaching my 16-year anniversary with the bank which is hard to believe.”
Raymond’s decision to run for a seat on the school board came as she was looking for a new opportunity to get involved with the school district.
“I was told about an opening on the Board of Education. I was immediately intrigued and excited to represent the students and the community,” she said. “I have board and work experience that make me a good candidate, as well as, my perspective as a parent. I have a lot to learn and I am looking forward to collaborating with the other board members to accomplish our goals over the next three years.”
As board member, Raymond added that she will approach the role with an open mind, a level head and without any preconceived notions.
“This is an interesting time for our students, school administrators, teachers and community and I plan to always put the students first and make decisions that have their best interests at heart,” she said.
Lisa Rue is running for re-election and seeking a second term. She was born and raised in Cranbury. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Rue went into finance.
She currently works part-time at her family’s business, Rue Insurance.
“These are tough times right now and I think it is affecting the children the most. I think it is important to put our children’s needs – educational, social, and overall safety and well-being – as top priorities,” Rue said in referencing what her area of focus would be on the board.