OLD BRIDGE – One incumbent and two newcomers will fill the three, three-year seats on the Board of Education.
Newcomer Theresa Burns received the most votes with 3,628/20% in the election on Nov. 5. Board member Jill R. Cali, who will serve her second term, recorded 3,422 votes/19%, and newcomer Salvatore Giordano registered 2,605 votes, 14%.
Former board member Frank R. Weber, who was seeking his seventh term, received 2,581 votes/14%; former board member Donna Andriani, who was seeking her fourth term, collected 2,279 votes/12%; Darin Accetulli, who was seeking his first term, received 1,975 votes, 11%; and Jayshri Vyas, who was seeking his first term, gained 1,857 votes/10%.
Burns, 34, who has lived in the township for 10 years, said her focus on the board would be on making sure the annual budget reflects the needs of the Old Bridge community.
Cali, 59, who has lived in Old Bridge for more than 23 years, said due to the drastic cuts to the district’s state aid, the work the board has ahead of them is difficult. She said the board will have to look for ways to continue to deliver high quality education to the students.
Giordano, 19, a graduate of Old Bridge High School, has lived in Old Bridge for 12 years.
During the campaign he said he would concentrate on trying to partner with more local businesses to increase revenue for the school district while giving students beneficial, real world experience.
“Subject areas such as automotive technology, computer science, and accounting can be expanded into programs that go beyond the classroom,” he said. “Students will gain valuable knowledge about the fields they work in and will add a tremendous boost to their resumes. Additionally, the businesses that partner with Old Bridge High School will have increased revenues from the exposure on the students and the parents that pay for their services.”
Election results from Nov. 5 are according to the Middlesex County Board of Elections and are unofficial until certified.
