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The Asbury Park School Board Election results are in and the Continue The Progress ticket, comprised of Joe Grillo, Eric Pinckney and incumbent Carol Jones, are now members of the Asbury Park School Board of Education.

The team was challenged by incumbent Felicia Simmons, who ran on her own, and incumbent Stephen Williams who ran with former board member James Famularo.

“This is a victory for the students of Asbury Park,” Grillo [at right] said. “Eric Carol and I already to work every day for every student with the rest of the Asbury Park board and Superintendent [Lamont] Repollet to keep our school moving in the right direction. We look forward to listening to every parent and every taxpayer for their advice, support and input.”

The win solidifies an almost complete control of the board, with only sitting members Sheila Etienne and Kenneth E Saunders Jr remaining on the district’s nine member governing body.

Voters also approved the $7,254,360 in support of the $68,645,817 operating budget for the 2017-18 school year by a 2 to 1 margin.

Simmons [at right], who was appointed to the board in 2014 and won a full term a year later, said she did not want to give an immediate comment.

Williams commended his opponents but heeded words of concern.

“We put our best foot forward,” he said. “Quite frankly they have a great political machine. It up to us to figure out how to come back and produce. Our base has to wake up because one of the most powerful tools we have in this country is our right to vote. What I take personally is people not coming out to vote. We were out there giving rides to the polls. There are no excuses. For those who came out to vote, I appreciate them, but for those who did not, please understand the importance of your vote.”

Williams [at right] said he will remain active in support of the betterment of the district and the city as a whole.

“I hope the future board realizes they got what they want – full political power of the City Council and the school board. Just make sure the southwest quadrant is not forgotten; make sure the residents are included in all policy decisions.”

Christian Hall, who dropped out of the race after the removal deadline passed, received 76  votes.

“James, Steve, and Felicia are hardworking and passionate individuals who have a lifetime of public service,” Grillo said. “They’re tough competitors. We respect theme and will need their advice moving forward. Only together can we build a better future for our children.”

The final tallies are contingent on the pending mail in and provisional ballot counts. Provisional ballots are those comprised of voters whose eligibility to vote is unclear at the time of their ballot casting.

Voters could vote for up to three candidates. The votes were divided as follows:

James Famularo 356 votes or  13.13 percent

Eric Pinckney 498 votes or 18.37 percent

Christian Hall 76 votes or 2.80 percent

Felecia Simmons 340 votes or 12.54 percent

Stephen Williams 370 votes or 16.65 percent

Carol Jones 541 votes or 19.96 percent

Joe Grillo 529 votes or 19.51 percent

A close inspection of the tallies by Grillo, the local Democratic Chair, shows Jones received the most votes in districts 6 and 7; Pinckney in district 4 – Grillo’s home district; but Grillo did get the most votes in districts 1, 9, and 8. Jones and Pinckney tied in district 5 while Famularo topped votes in districts 2, 3, and in vote by mail tallies.

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