NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–In a surprising turn of events, a well-respected member of the city’s school board resigned creating a vacancy at a critical time.
Business Administrator Richard Jannarone explained that outgoing board member John Krenos, who was not present at the May 12 board meeting, expressed his “deep regret” and gratitude to his colleagues.
Krenos, a Rutgers professor and Second Ward resident, was first elected in 2013 after serving as an appointed school board member prior to the implementation of school elections.
Krenos has most recently chaired the board’s curriculum committee, and served on both the Facilities and Finance Committes. Â His resignation leaves the board’s eight members in a position of picking his replacement.
The person chosen to replace Krenos will be voted on by the remaning board members at their June 16 meeting, where they are also expected to name a superintendent to replace outgoing chief Richard Kaplan.
It is not yet clear if the new member will get to vote for the new Superintendent. Â The temporary appointment of the new member would last almost a year until an election will be held for the seat, and two others, in April 2016.
The district is asking all city residents who are interested in serving on the Board of Education to submit a letter of interest and a resume to Jannarone at his office, located at 268 Baldwin Street. Â A submission deadline has been set for May 29 at Noon.Â
Applicants must have lived in the City of New Brunswick for at least one year, and must be US citizens over the age of 18. The position requires that the candidate be able to read and write, and be a registered voter in New Brunswick, according to a public notice issued by the district.
While the notice is vague in its statement that applicants “may not have been convicted of a crime or offense,” a controversial law does disqualify persons with certain convictions from serving on a school board.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
