Warren BOE President to Run for Watchung Hills Board

Current President Gregory Przybylski, of Quail Run, will not seek re-election this year, but will instead seek the seat on the board held by Gregory Lane resident Peter Fallon.

Przybylski, Fallone and local real estate agent Diane Belcuore, of Angus Lane, filed petitions to have their names on the ballot in the first November voting on school board members.

The deadline for filing nominating petitions was 4 p.m. Tuesday, and according to Deputy Somerset County Clerk Roseann Brown, three residents filed to run for the three seats on the Warren board, in addition to the three seeking the Watchung Hills Regional seat.

Reinman Road resident Kathy Helewa, who, along with Gregory Steier, of Springdale Lane, and Mountain Avenue resident Desiree DeNourie have filed for three seats on the Warren Township board. Besides Dr. Przybylski, board member Sue Burman did not file for re-election.

DeNourie had been on the .

Long-time board member Sue Burman did not file for re-election, but noted her enjoyment of being on the board.

"It has been a pleasure to serve as a BOE member for the past six years in Warren Township," she said in an email. "I am very grateful that we have Dr. Crader as our Superintendent of Schools and have full confidence in her leadership, as well as that of the board.  

"I leave knowing the district is in caring and capable hands," she added.  "My husband, Rich, and I are thrilled with the education our two children have received in the Warren schools and know that the excellent teachers they have had throughout the years have helped to provide them with the foundations they need to succeed in high school, college and life."

Candidates wishing to run had to file nominating petitions by a 4 p.m. deadline Tuesday. This year is the first that after the board voted to eliminate a budget vote and move board member elections to be tied with the general election.

According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, 468 school districts from throughout the state, representing more than 85 percent of the state's elected school boards, voted to move school board elections to Nov. 6.

"Serving on a school board is a challenging and rewarding form of public service,” John Bulina, NJSBA president, said in a press release. “It certainly is one way to make a profound impact on your community.”

Ariana Cohn-Sheehan contributed to this article.