Three newly-elected school board members were sworn into office at the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education’s reorganization meeting Jan. 7.
Mara Franceschi, who is beginning her second term on the school board, was sworn into office along with newcomers Ari Meisel and Chris Santarpio. The term is for three years.
The school board also welcomed Katherine Lara, who is the Cranbury Public Schools Board of Education representative to the Princeton school board. Cranbury sends its high school students to Princeton High School in a sending/receiving relationship.
The school board also elected Dafna Kendal as its president and Susan Kanter as its vice president.
Kendal was elected to her fourth consecutive term as school board president by a vote of 9-1. School board member Adam Bierman cast the lone dissenting vote.
Kendal was nominated by school board member Deb Bronfeld, who said she has done an “amazing job” of moving the board and the district forward over the past few years.
“Dafna has continued her focus on ensuring every board member has the same information so we can all make informed decisions,” Bronfeld said.
Bronfeld also praised Kendal’s depth of knowledge and leadership abilities, guiding the school board through successful union negotiations as well as the upcoming bond referendum and hiring a new superintendent of schools.
Kendal thanked the school board for placing its confidence in her.
“We really are a team,” she said. “We want to focus on the children. That’s the reason we are all here. Children have to be the center of the orbit.”
Kendal said she believes that what the school board does matter. Serving on the school board is the most important service that someone can do for their community.
Kanter was elected unanimously as board vice president. School board member Beth Behrend, who nominated Kanter, said she has demonstrated a thoughtful and balanced consideration of different viewpoints. She is careful and strategic in her approach to decision-making, Behrend said.
“Susan has shown a tireless willingness to pitch in and move the work of the board forward,” she said. “She has an unwavering devotion to our students.”
In response, Kanter said she has enjoyed getting to know the school board members during her past five years of service. It has been a collegial and enjoyable service.
Kanter said she is excited to help Kendal and to support her in leading the school district.
“I have been involved in the schools for more than 20 years, so this is a very exciting day for me,” Kanter said.
