First November School Board Race Draws Newcomer

Hillsborough Board of Education member Thuy Anh Le has decided not to seek re-election in the district's first November balloting, opening a spot for Collins Drive resident Debashis Dutta.

Voters will fill three, three-year terms on the board in November's general election, with current Board President Thomas Kinst and Gregory Gillette rounding out the ticket. 

Gillette, of Conover Drive, joined the board in 2007 and is seeking a third term. Kinst is completing his first term on the board.

"I encourage other residents to take a turn to volunteer on the board because there are many issues to continue to work on," Thuy Anh Le said. "Your individual voice and vote makes an impact on the collective decision of the board and helps to maintain a strong school district." 

Dutta, a 13-year resident of Hillsborough, said he is looking forward to contributing to the board.

"I want to bring my expertise from the private, corporate world to the school board to see if I can help," Dutta said. "I've always wanted to give back to the community."

He is a member of the Hillsborough Education Foundation, and is employed at Merck. he and his wife have one son, who graduated from Hillsborough High School in 2012.