Six Vying For Two Available Seats On Lacey Board Of Education

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Six people - including a former board member, two incumbents and two residents who blasted school administrators over the handling of students they say were punished after they posted photos of themselves at a gun range on social media - are all running for the two available seats on the Board of Education.

Former board member Regina Discenza, Sunset Drive, who fought long and hard for her one term on the board, is running again. Her slogan is "Experienced Taxpayer Advocate."

Also running are incumbents Robert Klaus II, Oxford Road and David Siletti, Penn Avenue, according to the Ocean County Clerk's Office website.

Newcomers Frank Horvath, Hilltop Road and Amanda Buron Lakeview Court, are both running on the "Restore Lacey Pride" slogan.

Gregory Pancza, Ocean Street, is running on the "Safe Schools Now" ticket.

Horvath and Buron were one of the harshest critics at the stormy March 19 board meeting, where many audience members and several gun rights advocates lambasted board member and school administrators.

The controversy may have even led to the retirement of Superintendent Craig Wigley. Today is Wigley's last day.

Wigley said he had been advised to step away due to "recent health challenges, my family's well-being, and the recent loss of several close friends long before their years," when he announced his retirement at a May board meeting.

The board appointed Assistant Superintendent Vanessa Clark to take Wigley's place. She starts on Aug. 1.

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