A 15-year township resident, Deena Centofanti seeks her first term on the Hillsborough Board of Education in next week's school elections.

Centofanti, 44, has been an oncology nurse for the past 22 years. She and her husband, Robert, have two children: Ryan, 12, is a seventh-grader at Hillsborough Middle School and Evan, 10, is a fourth-grader at Hillsborough Elementary School.

Patch asked Centofanti why she's seeking to be a member of the Board of Education, her thoughts on the current board's decision to spend approximately $1 million less in the 2012-13 budget than the state-mandated 2-percent tax levy cap, the challenges that face the district, her goals if elected and why Hillsborough residents should vote for her next week.

Centofanti is vying for one of three open Board of Education seats. Also running are incumbent Dana C. Boguszewski, Lorraine Soisson, Aldo Martinez and Allen Zdroik.

Current Board President Steven Paget and Vice President Marc Rosenberg are not seeking re-election.

Hillsborough High School students will moderate a Candidates Night at the high school on Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m., before next Tuesday's election. Polls will be open next Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m.