BEST Team Sweeps Bloomfield BOE Election; Budget Passes Overwhemingly

Catherine (Catzel) Bumpus, Emily Smith and Paula Zaccone have swept the Bloomfield Board of Education election, each winning three-year terms, according to unofficial results.

The trio, who ran on the same ticket as the Building Excellent Schools Together (BEST) Team, defeated challengers Derek Grimes, Joann Castro, Joel Rosen and incumbent Susan Wolf.

"It's a major victory for all of Bloomfield," said Zaccone after the unofficial results were announced in the Bloomfield High School cafeteria. "It's the sentiment of the town - that's what those numbers reflect."

The numbers are considered unofficial until they are certified by Essex County Clerk Christopher Durkin.

For Bumpus, who admitted her confidence was rattled prior to election day, called the win "very humbling."

"I'm really honored actually to be elected," said Bumpus. "It's a nice honor knowing that people trust me and feel that I could do a good job."

Smith said the key to the sweeping victory was the BEST Team's campaigning strategy: grassroots fundraising and the alliance of candidates from different political backgrounds.

"We were really the best team to rid our schools of politics," said Smith. "I think that's a recipe that can work."

Smith and Bumpus credited current BOE members Mary Shaughnessy and Shane Berger for introducing the three women and inspiring them to run as a team.

"The attitude that the board has toward the public will be an instantaenous change," said Smith when asked what issue she, as part of the new majority on the BOE, will tackle first. She said she'll be reaching out to residents for suggestions on how to resolve some of the biggest issues facing the district.

Bumpus said the first item on her agenda is settling the teacher contract negotiations.

Smith received the most votes (1,589), followed by Zaccone (1,488), Bumpus (1,409), Castro (1,129), Wolf (1,098), Rosen (881) and Grimes (402). These results include absentee ballots.

Residents also approved the 2011-12 $86.3 million budget, which includes a $59.4 million tax levy, by a 1,733-837 vote.

"I think by far, this is our largest margin ever," said Michael Derderian, the Bloomfield Public Shools business administrator. "My biggest concern was complacency because there was no increase."

The zero-impact budget, which falls nearly 3 percent under cap, calls for a $3.27 decrease in annual taxes for the average home.

"I wasn't taking this for granted at all," said Derderian.

Former Interim Superintendent Catherine Mozak, as well as new Superintendent Jason Bing, was present as the results came in.

Bumpus, Smith and Zaccone will be sworn in at the May 10 BOE organizational meeting. BOE members will also vote to appoint a new president and vice president.