Applegate To Head Board Of Education

Eva Applegate became the new Board of Education President Tuesday night as the school board welcomed new members and chose its officers at the panel's organization meeting.

Applegate was chosen to succeed Deidre Kukucka in the board's top spot after a 7-0 vote. Board members Laurie Cannon and Melissa Peters abstained from the vote.

Peters was later chosen by a 9-0 vote to be the board's vice president, following a nomination by new board member Joseph Tonzola. 

Tonzola, John Tavis, Anne Moonan and Robin Cervantes at the outset of the meeting took their seats on the board following the administration of the oath of office by Business Administrator Brian Smyth. Voters chose to send the four to the board in the April 27 school election.

Applegate thanked the voters of Wall Township for passing the budget and the second question in last month's polling.

"From this day forward we can never let our guard down," she said. "We're on a roll and it would be great to keep it going this way. Our kids need this. And that's what its all about. That's why we're all here.''

Later in the meeting, Tavis sparked a lengthy discussion about the timing of the next meeting, which is scheduled for May 17th. Tavis wanted to know if the meeting could be moved ahead of the May 15 deadline date to notify untenured district employees whether the board would be extending their employment.

"If we do have a problem, it's going to be after the fact,'' Tavis said. "I hope there isn't a problem, but if there is, why make it after the fact when you have to pay them an additional 30-60 days rather than before the fact?''

Applegate said she had not yet put together rosters for the board's various committees, which meet on May 10, and to move the meeting sooner would be tight. 

Tavis did not make a motion to move the meeting before the 17th, and no other board member appeared to support the suggestion.