​Princeton Elects 2 Newcomers, 1 Incumbent To BOE: Unofficial Result

PRINCETON, NJ – On Tuesday Princeton voters elected two newcomers and one incumbent to the Board of Education while ousting another incumbent.

With 100 percent votes counted in Mercer County, voters removed BOE member Michele Tuck-Ponder.

They elected Adam Bierman and Eleanor Hubbard, and re-elected Beth Behrend.

Hubbard got 3,955 votes, followed by Behrend at 3,221 and Bierman at 3,181.

René Obregon, Jr. pulled in 3,103 votes with Tuck-Ponder coming in a distant fifth with 2,399 votes.

Hubbard, who received the most votes, has three children in the Princeton School District. In a Q&A with Patch, she said if elected, her top priority will be making sure children “receive rich and challenging educations, while also remaining attentive to their social and emotional well-being.” She also spoke about expanding enrollments and repairing the district’s relationship with the community.

Bierman is a lifelong Princeton resident and this was his third shot at a BOE seat.

And educator, Bierman believes he is uniquely placed to engage with people of “various expertise and experiences.” With his understanding of the educational process, Bierman ran on the platform of building relationships in the community for the betterment of students.

Having served for six years on the BOE, Behrend said she was seeking re-election because she is passionate about public education, and wants to ensure that all children “continue to enjoy the benefits and opportunities offered by one of the best public school systems in the nation for years to come.”

All results remain unofficial until certified by the Board of Elections.

School Referendum Gets A Nod

The $13 million bond referendum that was on the ballot, received a clear nod from residents. According to the unofficial tally, it passed by 4,070 votes to 1,706.

The referendum will give the district access to an estimated $5 million in state aid toward the debt service for the improvements. The funding will offset the local tax impact, which is expected to be $104 for the average assessed home in Princeton.

The district will borrow $13 million for projects at all schools, including security and technology improvements, and major maintenance work.

“This funding will enable us to make crucial security upgrades, add seating to the high school cafeteria, and improve wi-fi at the schools, along with other improvements,” Board of Education President Dafna Kendal said. “We will also be able to take advantage of $5 million in state aid toward debt service for the projects.”

The funds will focus on four areas – wellness and sustainability, which will make up 27 percent of funds or $3,526,900; the largest chunk, 31.5 percent, will go to Safety & Security $4,086,579; 23.2 percent or $3,019,900 will go towards major maintenance; and 18 percent or $2,364,671 has been earmarked for technology.

All six schools will get safety and security improvements with police walk-throughs.

Princeton Schools will begin project design and construction soon.

Contracts for the projects will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidders through a competitive process, officials said.

The first phase of work in summer 2024 will focus on doors and hardware, the high school security vestibules, and the cafeteria and kitchen. Work on the track, field and other outdoor areas will take place in the spring and summer of 2025, officials said.

Here’s the unofficial votes tally:

• Adam Bierman (Adaptable Devoted Educator): 3,181
• Beth A. Behrend (For Our Kids): 3,221
• René Obregon, Jr. (Excellence, Accountability, Transparency): 3,103
• Michele Tuck-Ponder: 2,399
• Eleanor Hubbard (Quality Public Education): 3,955

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com