Sheri Grunwerg, school board president, decided against seeking a fifth year at the head of the Board of Education.
By: Chris Karmiol
Change is the theme of the East Windsor Regional Board of Education.
Aside from the recent election of three new members to the board Alice Weisman of East Windsor, and Suzann Fallon and Susan Lloyd of Hightstown, who were sworn in at its annual reorganization meeting Monday the board elected a new president and vice president, Bruce Ettman and Ricardo Perez, respectively.
Board member Stu Dolgon nominated Mr. Ettman, who won the position with six "yes" votes. Board members Bonnie Fayer, Robert Laverty and Ms. Weisman opposed Mr. Ettman’s presidency. Mr. Laverty also sought the presidency, with a nomination from Ms. Fayer.
"I think Bob has a good way of thinking outside of the box," Ms. Fayer said in an interview Monday. She was not displeased with the results, though. "I think Bruce will do a fine job."
Former president Sheri Grunwerg did not seek re-election.
"It was time to step down," Ms. Grunwerg said. "I had been president for four years and I think I did a good job and was an involved president."
Ms. Grunwerg stands behind the board’s choice of new president. Struggling for the right word to describe what Mr. Ettman will bring to the board, she said: "Cohesiveness. He can bring the board together, but the board has to want to be together."
With three new members on the nine-member board, Ms. Grunwerg said that a new term for a school board can be a tricky period.
"I think everyone’s kind of treading water because nobody really knows each other," Ms. Grunwerg said. "Hopefully you’re all there to get the same results."
Mr. Ettman said in an interview Tuesday that his goal is to put educational decisions at the forefront and create budgets to fit the programs, rather than programs that fit budgets. He also said that he hoped to quell the perception of a board unresponsive to public opinion.
"There have been times when the board and administration have been accused of somehow stifling dissent," he said. "Most of my life I’ve been a dissenter, so I’m very sympathetic of that complaint.
"We seem to speak of an interest in what people have to say, and then for some reason we don’t demonstrate that we’re actually paying attention to it," he added. "A certain attitude can be conveyed where we are more welcoming of input."
At the outset of his leadership, Mr. Ettman appears to have the backing of the board. Even Mr. Laverty, who was also nominated for president and who faced harsh words from Mr. Ettman over a disagreement on school expansion plans in January, had kind words.
"I think Bruce is very capable and I believe he can do what he said he wants to accomplish," Mr. Laverty said in an interview Wednesday. "We have different styles, but I don’t see that as being an obstacle to accomplishing our goals. I believe we have more that unifies us than separates us."