The Mount Laurel Board of Education swore in three new members and approved several board-related appointments at its reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.
For the three, three-year terms available, last year’s annual school election results showed Curtis Green led with 7,194 votes, followed by Danielle Stuffo with 6,275, and Roger E. Gibson with 5,982.
Jon Paradise received 5,793 votes to claim a one-year unexpired term on the board. Michael J. Wright Jr., Sapna Rustagi, Navleen Kharoudh and Anthony Corbi III were also considered for seats on the board, but they ultimately did not receive enough votes.
The board secretary administered oaths of office to the new board members. Danielle Stuffo and Melissa DeClementi, as sole nominees, were selected to serve another term as the board’s president and vice president, respectively.
Other board-related appointments made were: Karen Albanese, treasurer of school monies for the board; Dr. Ryan Schroeder of the Virtua Mount Laurel Family Physicians, school physician; Fred Caltabiano and Bowman & Company, public school auditor; Wayne Allan Neville A.I.A., architect of record; Frank Cavallo Jr. Esq. of Parker McCay P.A., solicitor; Robert Muccilli Esq., of Capehart and Scatchard, P.A., board negotiator.
Mridula Bajaj will serve as affirmative action officer and on the affirmative action team along with school Superintendent Dr. George J. Rafferty, Robert F. Wachter Jr., Dr. Diane Willard and Aja Thomas. Wachter will continue in his role as purchasing agent, board secretary and public agency compliance officer (P.A.C.O.), while Phoenix Advisors LLC will serve as financial advisors and continuing disclosure agent. Conner Strong & Buckelew will be broker of record.
All terms for those appointments will run through Dec. 31.
Board member Susan Fortuna took a moment to express gratitude to the board for its efforts and commitment through difficult circumstances in the past year and over the holidays.
“Thank you all. All the efforts that went into the whole Parkway (Elementary) situation at the end of the year last year,” said Fortuna, referring to a fire-related evacuation at the school with no injuries last month.
“I’m just thrilled that the families can get back to school today and I know that was through a lot of hard work and hours put in over the holiday, so thank you.”
The board’s meeting schedule is now posted on the district’s website. The next session is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Harrington Middle School.
