Candidates range from student to board veteran
Two incumbents, two newcomers seeking school board seats
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - An 18-year-old high school senior, a parent newcomer and two incumbents will vie for three seats on the Board of Education this April.

Michael Hughes, who attends East Brunswick High School, is seeking one of the three-year seats along with Steven Blaustein and incumbents Holly Howard and Scott Luxenberg.

All four candidates said they are pleased with the way the district is operating and with the work of the current school board.

Blaustein, who has a wife, Ellyse, and three children, said he decided to run because of his interest in the school system, which was a major reason he moved his family to the township.

"I've seen a lot of good things and some things that weren't as good, so maybe I'll try and make things better," he said.

But Blaustein did have praise for the board, which includes two of his friends, Todd Simmens and Stacy Bravman. Bravman is the sole incumbent who chose to seek re-election this year.

Blaustein said he had been watching board meetings on EBTV and would now be attending them. As far as issues, he said class sizes still need to be reduced, and he would like to see full-day kindergarten finally implemented. He said some residents wonder, considering what they pay in school taxes, why East Brunswick does not already have a full-day program. Other nearby districts such as Spotswood found enough benefits in full-day kindergarten to implement the program in recent years.

Another goal, he said, would be to continue modernizing the schools.

Howard is the senior member of the board, having served for 12 years, and this would be her fifth term. She has been president for the past year and was vice president for the previous two years.

Howard said she feels there is a lot of unfinished business, including the completion of a $106.1 million construction project at Hammarskjold Middle School, and the Lawrence Brook and Central elementary schools. Work has been under way on the additions and renovations since early last year, and is expected to be completed by September at the elementary schools and a year later at the middle school.

Howard said she would also like to develop more strategy to help "the average child" in the school district.

"There are certain curriculum objectives I'd like to finish," she said.

Howard also wants to see the district continue to work with the township to find more ways to save money, such as through shared services.

"I'd also like to work harder to invite more community members in to school-based activities," she noted.

Howard, who has a husband, Bill, and two grown children, is a homemaker.

Hughes said he has always wanted to get involved in the community, and being a student puts him in touch with what is going on in the schools and what is needed. Also, he said he's been to most recent board meetings, and feels he would bring a "fresh perspective" to the board.

Hughes, who plans to major in political science at college, said if elected, a long-term goal would be to see a full-day kindergarten program enacted. A more short-term goal would be finding new sources of funding.

Hughes said the current board "is going in the right direction," but with any elected group there are worries about stagnation and a lack of new ideas.

"I think the Board of Education has done an excellent job, but it's time for new blood," he said.

He noted that he's gotten lots of support from classmates and teachers since announcing his decision to run.

Luxenberg is seeking his second full term on the board. He was first appointed to an unexpired seat before winning election three years ago.

Luxenberg, an attorney who has a wife, Jill, and two children, said he is seeking re-election for a number of reasons.

"I really enjoy being on the board, and I also think it's a young board to a certain extent," he said. "I think I bring to it a certain experience."

He said it's always possible to improve things, and the main challenge the board faces is its financial situation, even though the state is promising more budgetary aid this year.

He said a main goal of his if re-elected would be to maintain the quality of the schools.

He also wants to continue working to bring a change in the way schools are funded in New Jersey.

"It's a difficult burden with property taxes," he said. "I don't see it going away immediately. Trenton has talked the talk but not really walked the walk."