There were tears mixed with laughter as three school board members wrapped up their terms on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education at the board’s last meeting of the year.
Princeton school board members Betsy Baglio and Brian McDonald and Cranbury Public Schools representative Robert Christopher were honored at the school board’s Dec. 17 meeting. New members will be sworn into office when the school board reorganizes next month.
Christopher sits on the Cranbury Public Schools Board of Education and represents the Cranbury school district on the Princeton school board. Cranbury sends its high school students to Princeton High School.
School board president Dafna Kendal said that part of the reason for the celebration is to acknowledge the time that school board members dedicate in serving on the school board.
“You want to have the right people overseeing the running of the school district, and the three school board members who are leaving tonight are three of those people,” Kendal said.
Turning to Christopher, Kendal described him as a model school board member. He has been a voice of reason throughout the three years that he has represented Cranbury on the school board.
“We will miss you very much,” she said.
McDonald, who served two terms on the school board, will begin serving on the Princeton Council when it reorganizes next month. He was elected to the Princeton Council in the Nov. 5 general election.
School board members Beth Behrend and Susan Kanter praised McDonald for his focus on school district finances, sustainability and facilities planning.
During McDonald’s six years on the school board, the district achieved a credit rating of AAA, proposed three bond referendums that were passed by voters, and helped to secure a generous five-year financial commitment from Princeton University, Behrend said.
McDonald was on the receiving end of some light-hearted teasing by school board members, as well.
“We joke that Brian has a unique ability to summarize an issue in a lengthy and detailed manner but at the same time he can, in quick order, cut to the issue of any topic we are discussing,” Kanter said.
All teasing aside, Kanter said McDonald has asked probing questions in order to improve the school board’s work. Everything he does is guided by his love of Princeton and making its future as successful as possible.
Baglio, who served three terms on the school board, was lauded by her colleagues. She served a stint as school board vice president.
“We always say that one of the great things about school board service is that you get to be friends with people you would otherwise never meet,” Kendal said.
“It applies to all three departing school board members, but especially to Betsy. Betsy is the kind of person who never had a bad word to say about anyone,” Kendal said.
Baglio, who shuns the spotlight, has worked tirelessly to support the school district and the functioning of the school board, she said.
“It has been a gift to get to know Betsy,” Kendal said. “I will miss her advice and counsel. She has been a true partner.”
Several school board members pointed out that Baglio is a former teacher and has offered input and insight on issues from a teacher’s point of view.
Kanter praised Baglio for her intelligence and for the ability to ask the important “what if” question to frame issues in a new way. Her focus on student wellness and outcomes and the joy and laughter that she brings to her work is an inspiration.
It was a privilege to serve with Baglio, who always kept students at the center of everything that the school board did, Behrend said. She sees the best in everyone and leads by example.
“Betsy embodies our district’s mission of joy and purpose in learning,” Behrend said.
Baglio responded and said that service on the school board is incredibly important to the education system, which is “one of the tenets of our democracy.”
Baglio thanked her husband and two sons for their patience while she served on the school board. It was challenging for her sons at times during her nine years on the school board.
“It really has been a joy to do this job,” Baglio said.
