Swearing In and Checking Out at the Rumson Board of Education Organization Meeting

The Rumson Board of Education organization meeting was bitter sweet. 5 members were elected to serve new terms and the superintendent put in a letter of resignation.

4 new members of the Rumson Board of Education took their oath of office at the organization meeting on May 4. 

The Rumson School District had 5 people running for 5 open seats in the 2011-12 election. Those open seats for three-year terms are now filled by Colleen O’Connor of Lenox Avenue, Colleen Hodge of Monmouth Avenue, and Kim Swain of Rumson Road. Peter Jarck of Ridge Road was elected for a two-year term. The remaining fifth seat, a one-year term, was won by Margaret Kaminski of Hartshorne Lane. Kaminski was not at the meeting on Wednesday night.

Swain's whole family "stopped by the meeting" to say hello and proudly watch their mother be sworn into her position. 

On the topic of the elections, only 624 people came out to vote on this year's school budget and board members. There are over 5,600 registered voters in the borough of Rumson. The ballot results have been much higher in years past. 

"400 families is not enough," said Denise Friendman, the board secretary. "It would be nice to see more people come out."

In addition to swearing in the newly elected members of the board, they also elected the 2011-12 President and Vice President. Colleen O’Connor will take on another year as president. She was an incumbent and the 2010-11 president of the BOE. The Vice President of the upcoming year will be Alitia Faccone.

While this meeting was focused on swearing in the elected members of the board, it was also a night to say goodbye. The board regretfully accepted a letter of resignation from Superintendent Scott Feder. He will serve as superintendent until July 31, 2011. 

The next Rumson Board of Education Meeting is on June 29th at 7:30 in the Higgins Library at the Forrestdale School.