New BOE Member To Be Appointed Tuesday

The Board of Education at its regular meeting Tuesday is expected to fill the seat left by Laurie Cannon, who abruptly resigned in late August.

The school board’s agenda calls for nominations for Cannon’s seat early in the order of business. Cannon’s term, which expires in 2013, cannot legally be left vacant until January, when a new member will finish out her term. Whoever is appointed will serve only until January.

Nominations will be made, then a majority of the eight-member board will decide which among the nominees – if there are more than one – will fill Cannon’s seat.

Next month, however, voters will choose which of the seven candidates who filed to run for the remainder of Cannon’s term will be seated in January.

Kristen Casais, 1401 Madison Ave.; Timothy J. Farrell, 1601 Walton Way; Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 1700 M St.; Mary Catherine McCarthy Spellman, 1993 Campbell Rd.; Joseph V. Stillo, 2313 Orchard Crest Blvd; Jacqueline Szenzenstein, 1402 Crabapple Dr. and William S. Wood Jr., 3205 Brighton Ave., all filed to run for the remaining year of Cannon’s term, according to the Monmouth County Board of Elections.

The Board of Education in an emergency session in late August unanimously accepted Cannon's resignation, dated Aug. 29.

"This letter is to confirm my Aug. 21 resignation from the Wall Township Board of Education," said Business Administrator Brian Smyth, reading from Cannon's letter. "I've considered it an honor to serve the students and community of Wall in this position and will miss the friendships I've made throughout my term of service on the board, as well as the many other volunteer positions I've held throughout the years.

"Unfortunately, I've many personal and family obligations that are competing for my time right now and although I will always support my school district, it will have to be in a less time consuming manner than filling a seat on the Board of Education.

"I wish you, Mr. Simon, and the board much success in the coming years.''

The board voted 7-0 to accept Cannon's resignation. John Tavis was absent.