WEST ORANGE, NJ - West Orange Board of Education member Michelle Casalino, who was re-elected to a third term Tuesday night, has issued a statement to the West Orange Community.

"I am honored and blessed for the overwhelming support that the West Orange voters expressed to me. I was extremely touched by the words of appreciation that I received for my years of service to our beloved community not only at the polls yesterday but also on the doorsteps of many residents and by phone calls received from the districts’ hard working staff. It means a great deal to me t

hat so many people have recognized hard work and dedication to the West Orange students and residents. I was also touched by the overwhelming support of friendship that I received by all who had worked on my campaign. So many people have suffered this past week due to the storm but yet they were all there for me yesterday to bring in the vote and I can’t ever thank them enough.

I would like to congratulate Ron Charles for his victory as well and I look forward to working with him. His dedication to the children of our community and his financial background will be an asset to the school board. I would also like to thank Adam Kraemer and Joe Sorbino for being gentlemen during the course of the campaign and for taking time away from their families to express their concerns about our district. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my colleague Paul Petigrow for his 12 years of service as well.  His experience and expertise to our district will be greatly missed.

I look forward to getting back to work on school business, not only to tackle the issues the board faces but also to promote all the good the district has done. I will remember all the conversations and comments that the good people of West Orange have shared with me and I will promise to use them to help move our district forward."