By Rebecca Shalomoff
Harris beat out Mel Lifshitz and independent candidate Vicki Fishof to capture the seat held for a short time by Sol Blisko, who decided not to seek re-election. Harris won 6,197 votes to Lifshitz' 4,238 and Fishof's 239.
Licatesi defeated Jay Gelman, winning the seat held by Chickie Granet, who also decided against seeking another term. School board members serve three-year terms. Licatesi received 6,380 votes to Gelman's 4,380.
The heated election reached a boiling point in recent weeks with charges and counter-charges levied by the candidates and district residents who supported them. The election campaign underscored the divisiveness in the Lawrence community between private school parents seeking more representation on the school board, and other residents who said their chief goal is to preserve public school education.
Gelman and Lifshitz, backed by ALERT, the Association for Learning and Education with Responsible Taxation, which is comprised mainly of Jewish parochial school parents, campaigned heavily against Harris and Licatesi, a candidate tandem supported by the Alliance for Lawrence Public Schools.
I think the community came out and supported the two best and most qualified candidates and sent a message throughout the entire Five Towns that this community is indeed united and truly believes the children are our future, Licatesi said.
Harris added, We have to thank the community and we will live up to our promises.
Budget fails
Voters decided 4,774 to 2,246 to reject the proposed 2002-2003 budget. Board members now have two choices
