New Wall School Board Member Sworn In

The Wall Township Board of Education at a special meeting Tuesday selected a new member to temporarily fill a vacant seat on the panel. 

Kirk Evangeliou, of Sycamore Street, was selected following a open, public interviews during the 45-minute session.

Evangeliou was the only candidate nominated by the board for a vote, which was unanimous.

Evangeliou previously had filed to run for a three-year term in the November election. He replaces Mary Catherine McCarthy-Spellman, who resigned after moving out of town. Unless he is elected to the board in November, Evangeliou will serve until December.

“I thank you all for your approval and I hope to serve you well,’’ Evangeliou said after taking the oath of office.

During his interview with the full board, Evangeliou said the biggest challenge facing the board was its recent lack of stability.

“Overall there’s been uncertainty,’’ he said.

Prior to the most recent resignation of McCarthy-Spellman, the board had seen three other members resign before their terms were up. Two of the district’s former top administrators have been indicted on a host of charges and its most recent superintendent quit with two years left on his contract, along with the district curriculum director.

In the upcoming election, four others are vying against Evangeliou for three, three-year board terms:

• Ralph Addonizio of Shoreline Drive 
• Eric Brophy of Cortland Drive, who is currently serving an unexpired term on the board
• Timothy J. Farrell, of Walton Way
• Michael R. Pirtle II, of Atlantic Avenue 

Board member Kerrin A. McGowan, of Orchard Crest Boulevard, is running against fellow board member Colin L. Nash, of Sycamore Street, for a two-year unexpired term. Both are currently filling seats vacated by resigning board members.

Denise P. Vodola, of Racquet Road, is unchallenged for a one-year unexpired term.