EDITORIAL: The board needs someone able to immediately participate, or risk falling behind on necessary projects
A few weeks ago, the Hillsborough Board of Education appointed former member Neil Hudes to fill the seat vacated by Walt Fuller.
We welcome Mr. Hudes back to the folding tables that make up the board’s dais. Mr. Hudes was appointed in November of last year to finish one of the seats vacated by Robert Pagano and Stan Dunn.
Though his bid to stay on the board in April fell short, ending his term after five months, Mr. Hudes learned how the board functions and handles its business.
This past experience will be needed to keep the board moving forward this year.
Hillsborough schools are in the middle of a massive restructuring and redistricting scheme that will tax the board members heavily. Next year’s transformation of the Auten Road School from an elementary school for grades k-5 to a school solely for fifth- and sixth-grade students will mean shifting hundreds of other students around.
Anyone who’s ever tried to organize a meeting of a dozen people can appreciate the complications in scheduling such a change entails.
Mr. Hudes may not be directly involved in the planning for this event, but having someone with his experience available generally will prove helpful.
Had the board chosen someone with no prior experience, it would have been somewhat handicapped as the new member becomes familiar with all of the work undertaken by the board in its operation of Hillsborough’s largest employer.
At the very least, Mr. Hudes can quickly get back up to speed and begin helping in whatever tasks he is assigned. That will enable the other board members to focus on their tasks and allow them work efficiently.

