A blast of a winter blanketed Evesham Township on Jan. 2, but that did not deter the board members from holding the first meeting of the new year.
According to board member Sandy Student, they were determined to have this meeting even if it meant going “in a blinding snowstorm.”
Student was the board of education president, but after last week, that chapter is over.
Student will be a board member until at least Dec. 31. He said he hasn’t decided yet if he will try for another term. He said he has six months to decide.
Student has been on the board since 2004 and has served as president for two and a half years.
Joseph Fisicaro Jr. is Student’s successor as the president of the board of education.
“I’m just very happy some else stepped up,” Student said. “I am very, very happy for him.”
Student nominated Fisicaro and the board vote was unanimous to elect him.
Fisicaro has served on the board previously for six years, then he retired and came back in November 2012. His term as president will be for one year.
The new year has new faces and some familiar faces on the board.
Joe De Julius was elected as vice president. Joanne Harmon was sworn in for a one-year term, filling the seat of Rosemary Bernardi, who resigned last year amidst controversial statements she made during a board meeting.
Lisa Mansfield, Nichole S. Stone and De Julius were elected for three-year terms.
Mayor Randy Brown swore in all the new and returning board members, vice president and president.
“It goes to show the unique relationship the board has with the township,” Student said. “Sometimes, the two are at odds in many other towns.”
In other news:
• The bylaws, policies and regulations were all re-adopted for curriculum and instruction.
• The board designated all the dates for regular board meetings for the calendar year. They will all be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 27, April 16, May 22, June 26, Aug. 21, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.
The meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of every month. The board discussed where to hold the meetings and decided to use DeMasi Middle School, located at 199 Evesboro-Medford Road, instead of the administration building.
“It is more desired because of the audio and acoustics. It makes us heard better,” Student said.
