##M:[more]##Marathe first became a member of the school board in 2001 in his third campaign for election to the body. Shortly after winning his re-election, he was chosen as president by his peers on the nine-member school board.
“It’s a non-paying thankless job.” says Marathe of the position. “I thought about whether I wanted to do it again, but I enjoy contributing, and I think at this time in particular, having some experience on the school board will be important for our next superintendent. It will be useful to the new candidate.”
Superintendent Robert Loretan will leave the district after nearly four years this August. The school board is expected to choose his successor from applicants within the district. Marathe has said the school board cannot announce the names of the candidates until after the April 17 election.
Marathe lives on Clarendon Court with his wife and four daughters. His oldest is a junior at High School North. He has a seventh grader at Community Middle School, and twins in fourth grade at Village Elementary School.
Prior to becoming a member of the school board, Marathe was involved with the district in various capacities. He served on the WW-P Technology Committee and was co-chairman of the Fiscal and Administrative Task Force. He was also one of the leaders of the Keep K-5 Alive committee.
Marathe was born in India, where his father owned a business that manufactured electric motors.
After coming to the United States in 1984 to study for his masters degree in electrical engineering at Virginia Tech University, Marathe earned his PhD. from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1990. He and his family lived in Syracuse, New York, for three years and Marathe started his business, US Consulting Services, in which he does consulting with electric and utility companies such PSE&G and Con Edison.
Marathe says he is proud of several things the board has accomplished in the past six years. “We have been able to keep the budget relatively low in spite of increasing fiscal challenges. The tax impact for both townships, is one of the lowest in the state. In spite of our size we keep improving our quality. I am impressed by the level of trust enjoyed by everyone. The members of the board all work well together, and we are able to get a lot done as a result.”
