NORTH BRUNSWICK – Elesia L. James officially joined the North Brunswick Board of Education on Jan. 4, and board members Richard Liguori and Hayley Toth were sworn in for their fifth and second terms, respectively.
James, Liguori and Toth ran uncontested in the school board race in November 2020. James was elected to her first term. Last year, Toth replaced Claribel Cortes, who joined the North Brunswick Township Council after Councilman Robert Corbin passed away in March; this will be her first full term.
Howard Liu decided not to run for re-election.
James has lived in North Brunswick for 19 years. She is the assistant general counsel for a public school district. She has a Teacher of English Certificate of Eligibility, a paralegal certificate, is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of New Jersey, and has her New York Bar application pending.
During the Jan. 4 reorganization meeting, she said she will work to maintain the public’s trust, and make sure schools are well run. She said she is eager to dive in and learn, “and I look forward to the enrichment that will come from this position.”
Liguori is a lifelong resident of North Brunswick. He is a senior financial analyst for Dow Jones & Company.
He was a member of the North Brunswick Board of Education from 2007-15, and returned in 2018. He served as board president for five years and board vice president for one. He has served on all board committees, and chaired the Business Operations and Curriculum committees.
He is the former treasurer of the North Brunswick Foundation of Educational & Community Excellence. He is the treasurer for the North Brunswick Historical Society, and co-chair of the North Brunswick Anniversary Galas.
He is also a former member of the North Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Liguori said it is as “super humbling an experience” now as it was when he first joined the board. He thanked his family, friends and colleagues for their “undying support” in his mission to serve the community.
Toth has lived in North Brunswick for 26 years. She attended North Brunswick public schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade, and is a 2012 graduate of North Brunswick Township High School. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2016.
She currently works as an account executive and manager at endevis, a staffing and recruiting services company. Specifically, she is on the business development and business relationships side working with mid- to large-size clients.
She said she will continue to improve the quality of education during her next three years on the board.
“We really love when our students come back,” Superintendent of Schools Brian Zychowski remarked about Toth, calling it a “give back” to the community.
During the meeting, Gloria Gonzalez and Barry Duran Harris were elected president and vice president of the board, respectively.
For more information and board meeting schedules, visit nbtschools.org
