Five Candidates File for Princeton Board of Education

Five candidates will compete for three open seats on the Princeton Board of Education in the general election in November. 

Incumbents Andrea Spalla and Molly Chrein both filed to run for reelection to the board as have Dennis Scheil, Thomas R. Hagedorn and Meeta Khatri, according to the Mercer County Clerk. 

The third seat up for relection on the board was held by Dorothy Bedford, who stepped down last week after serving for six years because she is moving to Pennsylvania. 

The board unanimously approved the appointment of former Board member Anne Burns to fill Bedford's expired term, citing Burns' experience as crucial during a time when the district is looking for a new superintendent to replace Judy Wilson, who will leave the district in December. 

"We have a lot on our plate right now, we really need someone to come in with experience and fill some very large shoes," Chrein said. 

Bedord left the board with some parting comments about her time serving the Princeton community:

“There is so much I could say in the way of parting words, but I’ll focus on two points," Bedford said. "First, I am very proud of the work this board has accomplished over the last six years to respect the taxpayers, and deliver excellent fiscal and financial management of our educational resources. My colleagues and I have collaborated closely with Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Kennedy to accomplish this, leaving no stone unturned to cut operating expenses while maintaining program.  So to both my colleagues and to our taxpayers, who have supported us so faithfully, I say, 'Keep up the good work.' 

"Second, I think we are all acutely aware of the ever-tightening financial pressure being generated at the state level, from the caps on budget growth, to flat state aid, to the many unfunded mandates Trenton sends our way. However, there is one program we run in the Princeton Schools which some might consider to be an “extra,” but which I consider to be “essential.” It has excellent potential for saving the district money in the long run. It is our full day pre-K program. Children, whose homecare or daycare arrangements might be fragile or limited in reach, are introduced to letters and numbers. They build English vocabulary to 800 words or more, develop fine motor skills, and refine necessary classroom social skills. These children become well prepared for kindergarten, ready to meet their classmates on a level playing field. This investment in pre-K improves the odds for both their individual long term educational success and for every student to enjoy a productive classroom learning community.  I may be slightly overstepping here , but I urge my colleagues and this town to guard and defend this very special program with vigor.”