5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 27

Here is a list of 5 things you need to know:

1. Clouds in the Sky: Today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 69. According to the National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of showers before 11am.  As people head out to the voting polls for the annual school elections, the weather will be a little cooler and dryer. Tonight is expected to be mostly cloudy with a low around 58. There will be a south wind around 15 mph. 

2. Election Day: The annual school elections are tonight and voters will head to the polls to vote on the school budget and also elect Board of Education (BOE) members for the three local school districts. Two of three BOE elections are not contested this year—the number of open seats on the board equals the number of people running. The candidates running for the board of RFH and the Rumson School District will fill those open positions. The only contested race will be for Fair Haven School District, as four people are running for the three open seats that are each three-year positions. Click to read more about those candidates before heading out to the polls. Also, before heading to the polls, click to read about the RFH budget, for the Rumson School District Budget click   and for the Fair Haven School District Budget.

3. 20 Years of BOE Service: Andrea Bakst will be leaving the Fair Haven Board of Education after 20 years of service, saying it’s time to make room for new members to serve. Bakst has sat through countless meetings, helped with numerous budgets and negotiated dozens of contracts. She has served on the board through a school reorganization, three superintendents (four, if you include an interim one) and seven principals. She has spent countless hours serving as a board member. But, said Bakst, “It has been my honor to be on the school board,”  and she described it as a “pleasure, not a chore.” Click to read more about Bakst and her time on the BOE.

4. Upcoming Reforms: Legislators from District 12, made up of Mercer and Monmouth Counties, spoke at Monday night’s Fair Haven Borough Council meeting on the issues of pension, education and healthcare. Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan J. O’Scanlon Jr., Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin were given the floor by Mayor Halfacre to deliver their legislative update. Click to read details about the topics discussed.

5. Blog for Patch: Rumson-Fair Haven Patch is looking for , and passionate, creative community voices like yours are needed. Don't be shy! Rumson-Fair Haven Patch is on a mission to recruit fresh voices, and this is a great opportunity to make your voice heard. We want to hear what you have to say. Patch bloggers are not paid and will own their blogs, so if you are already blogging and want to share with our readers, too, let us know. This is a chance to share your expertise and opinions with a wider audience! Shoot an e-mail to the Rumson-Fair Haven Local Editor (noel.aliseo@patch.com) if you are interested in being a part of the conversation.