New School Board Member Chosen Tuesday

The Board of Education at its regular meeting Tuesday voted unanimously to appoint a new member to temporarily fill a vacant seat on the panel.

Robin Zawodniak was nominated by outgoing board member Deidre Kukucka. There were no other nominations, audience members said.

The nominations came after interviews with three prospective members were conducted by the board. Betsy Cross, Zawodniak and board candidate Jeffrey Kniffen each applied to fill the seat vacated by former board Vice President Laurie Cannon.

Cannon, whose term expires in 2013, abruptly resigned from the board in August. The board could not legally leave the seat open until January, when a new member, chosen by voters in November's election, will be seated for the remainder of Cannon's term.

Next month, however, voters will choose which of the seven candidates who filed to run for the remainder of Cannon’s term will be seated in January.

Kristen Casais, 1401 Madison Ave.; Timothy J. Farrell, 1601 Walton Way; Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 1700 M St.; Mary Catherine McCarthy Spellman, 1993 Campbell Rd.; Joseph V. Stillo, 2313 Orchard Crest Blvd; Jacqueline Szenzenstein, 1402 Crabapple Dr. and William S. Wood Jr., 3205 Brighton Ave., all filed to run for the remaining year of Cannon’s term, according to the Monmouth County Board of Elections.