June 20, 2012

A check from Princeton Education Foundation (PEF), representing $113,500 in donated funds to the Princeton Public Schools for improvements in technology, music, and vocal equipment in the elementary schools, was presented to the Board of Education at its most recent meeting.

PEF is a nonprofit that raises money each year to support local public school initiatives. This year’s gift is comprised of contributions from several different sources, including the PowerUp PRS! Technology campaign, which the Princeton Education Foundation is overseeing in concert with the school district; two gifts from district PTOs; and from PEF itself.

Other new technology will be made available next year through an approved New Jersey State contract, providing $453,385 for the purchase of iPad, MacBook, iMac computers and related supplies. The new equipment will enable instruction in specific language arts, math, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in elementary grade pre-kindergarten through grade 1 classrooms; grade 6 through 8 math and science classrooms; and grade 9-12 English, math, science, and world languages classes. Individual teacher-issued technology will also be upgraded where needed.

In response to proposals received by district health benefits broker Connor Strong Buckelew, the Board approved the appointment of Express Scripts/Medco as the prescription benefits carrier, effective July 1, 2012, replacing BeneCard, whose contract will terminate effective June 30, 2012. The change was made in response to a perceived “need to control rising health care costs, and in an effort to save money for the district and the staff paying contributions towards coverage.”

Incoming staff include Princeton High School (PHS) Spanish teacher Maria Benedetto; John Witherspoon Middle School Science teacher Janet Gaudino; Caitlin O’Connor, a new fourth grade teacher at Littlebrook Elementary School; and PHS Social Studies teacher Patricia Manhart. All of their appointments are effective September 1.

Last week’s meeting also included recognition of retiring staff members for their many “years of service to Princeton children.”

The Board of Education will meet again Wednesday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Valley Road Administrative Building. They will discuss personnel issues and contract ratification, and participate in a workshop about their work in the coming school year. The meeting is open to the public.

The Princeton Public Schools’ website is www.prs.k12.nj.us.

For more information about the Princeton Education Foundation, visit www.pefnj.org.


May 9, 2012

“I feel confident about my ability to win in November,” said Township Committeewoman Sue Nemeth referring to the race for the newly-created 16th District Assembly seat.

Before running for office in November, Ms. Nemeth must defeat another 16th District Democratic hopeful, art teacher Marie Corfield of Hunterdon (www.citizensformariecorfield.com) in the June primary. If Ms. Nemeth wins, she is likely to be running against Republican incumbent Donna Simon In November.

Ms. Nemeth believes that receiving the unanimous endorsement of the Mercer Democratic Committee was an important step toward winning the June 5 contest. She also points to the fact that Ms. Korfield “has no experience,” and, unlike Ms. Nemeth, “never served in office.”

The prospect of a race against an incumbent does not appear to daunt Ms. Nemeth, either. “I’m well-positioned to run against a Republican in the fall,” she commented. Ms. Simon, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term of a deceased assemblyman, has, according to Ms. Nemeth, “no record that anyone can point to.”

“I know it’s going to be a tough race,” she acknowledged, “but I have 30 years of experience.”

Politics has been “a lifetime endeavor,” said Ms. Nemeth. For 20 years she worked at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, where she promoted women’s participation in politics and government across the country. Earlier, she worked with New Jersey Citizen Action on the campaign for the Right to Know Act, legislation that protects people from exposure to hazardous chemicals. She organized the coalition that passed Family and Medical Leave legislation in New Jersey, and is a member of URA-AFT Local 1766 at Rutgers University and the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey.

Ms. Nemeth is currently serving her second term on the Princeton Township Committee and is vice chair of the municipal Democratic Committee.

“I have fought for consolidation and won property tax relief; negotiated payments from Princeton University; helped create the Princeton Ridge Preserve to protect our ancient woodlands; and fostered job growth in the region by supporting a proposed $300 million Arts and Transit development,” said Ms. Nemeth. “I’ve championed senior and affordable housing, helped save our community pool complex, and fought to preserve essential community services.” And, she adds, “I am a steadfast supporter of public education and a past member of the board of the Princeton Education Foundation.”

Asked about the implications of Princeton consolidation for her campaign, Ms. Nemeth described consolidation as “a piece of the puzzle. We are a full package of policy issues and proposals that will lead to tax relief in Princeton.” She describes tax relief as “a huge issue,” that the governor has only “danced around.”

Ms. Nemeth’s resume also includes a recent one-year stint as deputy mayor of the Township. It was “a great experience,” and Ms. Nemeth reports that she particularly enjoyed focusing on “the bread and butter issues.” These included working with the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee, and participating in a negotiating team with Princeton University. “Representing the community” in the mayor’s place was also a positive.

“As I seek the endorsement of Democratic organizations in Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middlesex counties and prepare for a tough general election battle, I pledge to bring energy, creativity, and commitment to our shared values to Trenton to solve our district’s most pressing problems,” said Ms. Nemeth.

For more information, or to contact Ms. Nemeth with questions and suggestions, visit suenemeth.org.