Bedminster BOE Vacancy Now in County's Hands

After missing the 65-day deadline, the decision for who will fill the vacant spot on the Bedminster Board of Education is being given over to the executive county superintendent.

The vacancy was created in August when member Jason Anagonstis resigned from his position. The board, at that time, opened up the opportunity to residents to submit applications to be on the board because it was too late to put the position on the ballot for the November elections.

Resident Drew Isaacs was the only one to submit an application, but the board opted not to vote on whether to give him the position after he was interviewed at the Oct. 22 meeting.

"The board had the ability to appoint or not to appoint Andrew, and there were a number of items to discuss," said board of education president Louis Casella. "Because of the late meeting and board members leaving, we could not finish our discussion."

"Then timing of scheduling a meeting given the events of the last two weeks made it not possible," he added.

With all the delays, Casella said, the board missed the 65-day deadline to fill the seat.

"The county superintendent then has the right to appoint," he said.

Casella said the board of education is now asking residents interested in being on the board of education to send resumes to the Somerset County Department of Education Office by Nov. 15.

After that date, Casella said, the county superintendent will set a date to interview all candidates, and will then appoint a new member to the board of education.

Isaacs said Thursday that he is planning to submit his application to the county superintendent, but declined to comment further on the situation and the board not appointing him before the deadline.

In Tuesday's election, Isaacs also received three votes as a write-in candidate, but declined to comment further on that as well.

"Beyond that, I just look forward to being on the board," he said.

Anyone interested in applying for the position must be a United States citizen, able to read and write, have been a resident of Bedminster for at least one year, have no interest in any contract with the board and be registered to vote in the district.

Applications can be picked up at the office of the board secretary in the Bedminster Township School, or downloaded from the website.

Once completed, they should be sent to Dr. Kathleen Serafino, Executive County Superintendent, Somerset County Department of Education, 27 Warren Street, Somerville, NJ.

Busines administrator Phil Acosta said Serafino will interview those who respond and make the appointment to the board.

Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Nov. 15.