Baglio, McDonald, Franceschi Lead In Princeton BOE Race

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Board of Education race saw two incumbents hold strong and one newcomer hold their own by narrow margins.

With 100 percent precincts reporting, on Wednesday morning, incumbents Betsy Baglio and Brian McDonald, and newcomer Mara Franceschi are leading the race, according to Mercer County results.

Three candidates were vying for three open seats on the Board of Education.

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The results will remain unofficial pending certification.

As of 11: 30 a.m. Wednesday morning here's the count:

• McDonald: 2,369
• Baglio: 2,215
• Franceschi: 2,157
• Liao: 2,106

A sculptor and designer by profession, McDonald has experience in public finance and has served on the township's Citizen's Finance Advisory Committee. McDonald told Patch he was seeking reelection as he is "deeply committed" to the district, students, and the community.

"I am running for a second term because I am deeply committed to our schools, our school children, and our community. The district has made great progress with student achievement and equity and is now doing a much better job stewarding the district's finances and facilities. Having said that, there is more important work to be done, especially to ensure that every child is supported, which we must do to honor and fulfill our district's mission - to prepare all children to lead lives of joy and purpose as knowledgeable, creative, and compassionate citizens of a global society," he said.

Baglio is running for a third term on the Princeton Board of Education. Over the past six years, she has "tenaciously advocated for students' needs," she said.

"I believe that the single most pressing issue facing our district at this time is to ensure that all students are academically, socially, and emotionally supported as they return to full-day, in-person school. I also believe that the pandemic has shed light on ways in which we can improve the Princeton Public Schools," she said.

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