SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The people have spoken, and they have elected incumbent Madhu Pai and challengers Chris Sabin and Annemarie Maini to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. Pai, who is currently the board’s first vice president, will serve an additional three years; Sabin and Maini will each serve their first three years.
Results remain unofficial until verified by the Essex County clerk, Christopher J. Durkin.
According to the unofficial results, with 100 percent of the votes tallied, Maini came out on top with 2,881 votes, or 17.46 percent. Her running mate, Sabin, came second with 2,799 votes, or 16.96 percent.
Pai, who had run a joint campaign with current board President Wayne Eastman and Margaret “Peggy” Freedson, came in third with 2,335 votes, or 14.15 percent.
Eastman received 1,906 votes, or 11.55 percent, while Freedson received 1,881 votes, or 11.4 percent.
None of Team SOMA 2015’s candidates made the cut this election, with Marian Raab receiving 1,493 votes, or 9.05 percent; Shannel Roberts receiving 1,169 votes, or 7.08 percent; and Elissa Malespina receiving 1,231 votes, or 7.46 percent.
Candidate Dorcas Lind received 771 votes, or 4.67 percent. Additionally, there were 38 write-in votes, accounting for 0.23 percent of the votes cast.
Both Maini and Sabin told the News-Record that being elected “feels fantastic.”
“It was hard work, but I am ready to get started,” Maini told the News-Record in a Tuesday night interview. “I would like to thank all the people who got involved, whether they were our supporters or supported other candidates, because it shows a willingness to get involved in the community.
Maini said her first order of business when she takes her place on the board will be “putting some structure around the Access & Equity policy,” as implementation is key at this point. She feels that all students need to be supported if they wish to pursue higher classes.
“This policy needs scaffolding,” she said.
Although he said there are many things on which he would like to focus, Sabin singled out communication between the district and the community. He especially urges all residents of Maplewood and South Orange to attend the education summit to be held at Columbia High School on Nov. 10.
“Keeping the community involved and engaged is how we’re going to be successful,” Sabin told the News-Record in a Tuesday night interview.
“Annemarie and I are very excited to represent the community and to represent both towns,” Sabin said. “We are excited to be a part of this process and to work together.”
While Pai indicated that she was disappointed that she was the sole member of her slate to be elected, she is ready to continue serving the two towns.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Ramos to ensure the successful implementation of the Access and Equity policy,” Pai told the News-Record in a Tuesday night email. “Congratulations to Annemarie Maini and Chris Sabin, and many thanks to all the candidates who were willing to serve our community. A highly contested race such as the one we had is yet another reminder of what a passionate and engaged community we have.”