OLD BRIDGE — Come January, a former board member and two newcomers will fill the three, three-year term seats on the Old Bridge Board of Education.
Newcomer Lisa Lent-Miller garnered the most votes with 3,417, followed by former board member Matthew Sulikowski with 3,301 and newcomer Jill DeCaro with 3,298 to win the seats on Nov. 7.
Incumbent Kelly Ellis-Foster, who was seeking her second term, received 2,782 votes; newcomer Theresa Burns received 2,596 votes; incumbent Donna Andriani, who was seeking her fourth term, received 2,515 votes; and newcomer Kyler Dineen received 1,328 votes in their losing bids for the open seats.
Lent-Miller, who will serve her first term, said she appreciates the support from the community, her family and friends, and called it an “immense honor” to have been elected to the board.
“I will diligently address the concerns of our community with a willingness and promise to listen and understand each issue,” she said. “I look forward to working with all of the Board of Education officials on improving our educational system, while being mindful to the taxpayers of our great community.”
Lent-Miller said she will also examine what is working more efficiently in other districts and merge what the Old Bridge School District is doing well to create a school system that will meet and exceed expectations for the present and the future.
Sulikowski, who will serve his fourth term, said he is thankful for the support from the community in giving him the opportunity to once again serve the children and community.
“In my next term I hope to propose a Life Skill Course at the high school, which would include simple home maintenance, carpentry, heating and cooling, simple electrical work, automotive maintenance, landscaping and maintenance,” he said. “I am also focused on half-year courses. Last, but not least, I will be focusing on eliminating the $100 parking fee for our high school seniors.”
During the campaign, DeCaro said she will work collaboratively with board members and the administration to support the district’s strategic plan, which includes continued innovative programs in academics, arts and athletics; infrastructure improvements; and parent and community involvement in a fiscally responsible manner.
Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@newspapermediagroup.com.
