Three seats open on regional school board BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer MATAWAN - In a district spanning two towns, four candidates are vying for three seats on the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education. Two seats are open for Aberdeen representatives with incumbents Kenneth Aitken, of Juniper Place, and Jan Rubino, of Arbordale Drive, running for re-election. Martin Ruprecht, of Ambler Court, is the third candidate and is running for the first time for a seat on the board. "I think that the district is starting to move in the right direction toward excellence," said Aitken, a boardmember since 2005. "With Dr. Richard T. O'Malley as the new superintendent, we can be one of the top school districts in Monmouth County." Aitken, a senior technical architect for AT&T and board vice president, added that he enjoys serving on the board because he has two children in the school district and feels it serves the students well. Candidates Rubino and Ruprecht were not available for comment. One seat is open for Matawan with incumbent Charles Kenny, of Sarah Court, running for re-election. "I hope to continue to direct the focus of the district on academic excellence," Kenny said. "I also hope to keep the tax rate low by working to achieve financial stability and continue my effort to control spending." Kenny, an attorney, is currently serving his first term on the Board of Education. The other board candidates could not be reached for comment by deadline Monday. Board of Education members will be working alongside the newly hired superintendent, who is currently employed at Mountainside School District. The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is comprised of six schools with a total enrollment of 3,755 students as of Dec. 31.