Three board members bid farewell this April Prez., vice prez. and board veteran decide not to seek re-election BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - The Board of Education is in for a change, as none of this year's three incumbents are seeking re-election. Long-time board members Barbara Rossi and Linda Ault McLaren, and current Board President John Allen will leave their seats, which four newcomers are seeking to fill. "I think it's time for a change," said Rossi, a six-year board member. "It's time for folks who have some longevity on the board to step aside and give some new folks with a fresh set of eyes the opportunity to make changes that will positively impact the district." Rossi, a pharmacist and mother, also cited family commitments as a reason for moving on, as did McLaren. McLaren, currently the board's vice president, said her family has endured tragedy since she joined the board to fill an unfinished term in 2000. With two deaths in the family and a daughter, Kelly, 17, entering her senior year in high school, it is important for McLaren to spend more time at home, she said. "When I was first elected, I made the statement to everyone I knew that I just adopted 10,000 children ... but I feel this one needs me now," McLaren said. "I'm not going very far. They all have my phone number, and they are welcome to call if they need an advocate." Rossi said she was happy to have played a part in the 2001 referendum, which provided district-wide improvements and equity of programs and services in the schools, as well as in the appointment of the new central administration cabinet. "I think the district is in excellent hands with [Superintendent of Schools Simon Bosco] at the helm," Rossi said. On the nine-member board, the remaining longtime members will be Ellen McDermott, Annette Hopman, Gail Kubicke and Frank Piccillo. Fred Colabella was elected in 2005, while Matthew Sulikowski was elected last year. Wishing the board success in the future, Rossi said it is important that the new board members focus on partnering and shared services to help offset costs of state-mandated programs that go unfunded, as well as increased enrollment as a result of families with young children moving into town. McLaren said she does intend to stay on some committees in the district, and she still serves as the chairwoman of negotiations. Her involvement with the school has spanned a total of 12 years, having served as a PTA liaison to the board for five years prior to her service as a board member. Beyond her responsibilities as a mother and board member, McLaren has found time to attend Rutgers University for the past two years. A psychology major, she is studying to become a grief counselor. "It's been very difficult to give the board the time commitment necessary," McLaren said. Still, she added, "It was a pleasure and an honor to serve the children of Old Bridge." Allen, who was elected in 2004 at the age of 21, has served as board president since last April. At the time of his election, Allen was studying political science and economics at Rutgers University. Before becoming board president, Allen chaired the board's Strategic Planning Committee as it wrestled with the controversial issue of student redistricting in the elementary and middle schools. He could not be reached for this story. The four candidates running for election are Ingrid F. Andrade, Abhishek K. Desai, Eugene Donofrio and David L. Josselyn, who ran unsuccessfully last year. Andrade, Desai and Donofrio are making their first bid for the school board. "Overall, it has truly been an education in itself for me," Rossi said. "My philosophy has always been that education is something you give your child that can never be taken away. I came on the board with that philosophy, and I leave the board with that philosophy as well. I hope the community continues to embrace the fact that education is the ticket to a child's success."