Former school board Vice President Andrea Driver announced that she won’t accept her new three-year term on the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education due to personal circumstances.
Filled with emotion, Driver, who was expected to begin her second term representing Hopewell Township, informed her fellow board members and the public before her oath of office alongside Anita Williams-Galiano, Pamela Lilleston, and Dhruv Kapadia at the reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.
“It is with great regret that I am advising the board and district administration that my recent personal circumstances have changed and prevent me from continuing my service on the board and accepting this term,” Driver said, as she thanked every board member and key administrators for being professionals and keeping the success of students at the forefront.
“I have no doubt that the work we all have been doing will continue and that Hopewell Valley Regional School District will continue to be the trailblazer it always has been.”
Driver explained how serving on the school board has brought her great pride and that the community and school district have impacted not only her, but her family.
“While serving on the board I have had the pleasure of working alongside some amazing professionals. Together we navigated the post pandemic environment giving our students and staff a safe place to work and learn,” she added.
“After having the same superintendent for 12 years we conducted the all-important superintendent search, which appointed the one and only dynamic Dr. [Rosetta] Treece. … We had the unique opportunity to make history as we served together.”
Hopewell Township residents have been notified by the school board and district that Driver’s vacancy exists. They will be accepting any letters of interest and resumes until 4 p.m. Jan. 22.
The school board will review the documents and select who will move on to the interview process. Whoever is appointed by the board will serve a current one-year term that ends on Dec. 31.
The two years left remaining on Driver’s term will be on the ballot for a November 2024 general election.
“I want to thank Ms. Driver for her service, and she is going to be sorely missed. I appreciate serving with you and also appreciated setting history with you,” Treece said. “I wish you the best.”
Williams-Galiano also gave her thanks to Driver who she ran with in their first election in 2020. She added, “My heartfelt thanks to my running partner and my vice president from last year. You will be missed, and I know you have a mission in education that is not over yet.”
As the reorganization meeting continued, Williams-Galiano and Lilleston were sworn-in for their three-year terms on the board, alongside Kapadia, who was elected to serve a one-year unexpired term in November.
Williams-Galiano was then nominated and elected to return as board president for 2024 for a second year.
“Thank you all and appreciate that vote of confidence,” she said.
Williams-Galiano nominated Jacqueline Genovesi for board vice president and through a voice vote, she was elected to serve in the position for 2024.
