SOUTH AMBOY – Until further notice, the South Amboy Board of Education does not have a board president.
At the board’s Aug. 27 meeting, it was announced that former board president Tyler Simko resigned on Aug. 17 in order to pursue higher education.
Board vice president Lynn Kasics read a statement that Simko had written.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to play a role in shaping the South Amboy Public School community, the first place that I call home,” Simko said. “My love and gratitude for this community is what inspired me to run for the Board of Education several years ago in an effort to help provide input about my experience as a recent graduate. My time in South Amboy has taught me that public education is my passion, but I need to step away for a bit to complete my own education. Despite my experience here, I have a great deal yet to learn. ”
“It has been an honor to work with my fellow board members. I thank the teachers, administrators and support staff of South Amboy Public Schools. Public education is one of society’s most impactful gifts and you are the people that make it possible,” Simko said.
After the announcement, an election among the board members was held for the position of president. Anthony Conrad, Amy McLaughlin and Kasics were nominated for the position. The vote was the following: Shannon Gonzalez, Raymond Perez and Conrad voted for McLaughin with McLaughin voting for herself. Paula Taggart voted for Kasics with Kasics voting for herself. John Dragotta and Patrick Walsh voted for Conrad.
The board said a president could not be elected since the majority of the board did not select one person. Board members were asked to recast their vote, with no votes being changed. Since the board could not come to a decision themselves, the executive county superintendent will be asked to decide who will serve as the next president.
Administrators are in the process of filling Simko’s seat on the board and will accept resumes and letters of interest until 3 p.m. on Sept. 10. Resumes and letters may be sent to Business Administrator Peter Frascella at 240 John St., South Amboy 08879.
Qualifications for the Board of Education are the following:
- Be able to read and write
- Hold U.S. citizenship and one year’s residency in the school district
- Be registered to vote in the district
- Have no interest in any contract with, or claim against, the board
- Not hold office as mayor or member of the municipal governing body or, in the case of county school districts, the county governing body
- Not simultaneously hold two elective offices
- Not be disqualified from membership for the conviction of certain crimes. (Within 30 days of election or appointment to the board, a member must undergo a criminal history background investigation through the state Department of Education.)
Candidates will be interviewed on Sept. 17. The new member will be sworn in at the Sept. 24 meeting. The new board member would serve the remainder of Simko’s term, which expires in January of 2020. The position will be placed on the November 2019 election ballot.
