Upper Freehold seeks replacement for Lee Honsley.
By: Cynthia Koons
UPPER FREEHOLD Citing personal reasons, Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education member Lee Hensley resigned last week after eight years on the board.
A father of two children ages 8 and 10, Mr. Hensley said he plans to focus his energy on his growing family now that he has additional free time.
"(Being a school board member) takes a lot of dedication and a lot of your time time away from your family," he said. "It’s not just two meetings a month, it was a lot of time in between. To be a really effective and really good board member you really should be involved in everything."
Mr. Hensley joined the school board out of an interest to serve his community, and said he was pleased with the board’s accomplishments during his tenure. Mr. Hensley was re-elected to a three-year term last April and had just over two years remaining when he announced his resignation. He represented Upper Freehold on the regional school board.
"It was really an educational experience," Mr. Hensley said of his time on the board. "Most of the time it was a gratifying experience but sometimes it could be trying, that’s for sure."
"I believe I will (miss it), for the most part," he said.
Superintendent Robert Connelly said the board is looking for a student-oriented person to replace Mr. Hensley.
"We’re asking for a letter of interest and resume (from interested candidates) by Feb. 12," Mr. Connelly said.
Mr. Connelly said the board hopes to appoint a new member at its public meeting on Feb. 19. The person selected would serve until April 2004, at which point he or she would have to run for the seat in the April elections to complete the remaining year.
The board has to make an appointment within 60 days of the resignation. If the board fails to do so, the appointment is made by the county superintendent of schools, he said.
"The person who would be the best match for this board is someone who’s focused on all children instead of any particular interest," Mr. Connelly said. "First and foremost, someone who’s looking in terms of the big picture, which is setting policy."
Policy, construction and the budget are the three biggest issues on the board’s plate right now, he said.
"They’re coming at a busy time," he said of the person who will fill Mr. Hensley’s seat. "Our largest (project) is really the completion of the construction project. For the remainder of this board year we will be finalizing the school budget."
He said school board president Lynne Meara accepted Mr. Hensley’s resignation with regret.
"I’ll miss him," Mr. Connelly said. "He was forthright and honest and I think he worked very hard on behalf of the students and taxpayers."
To be considered for the school board position, send a letter of interest to Viola Yosifon, Business Administrator, Upper Freehold Regional School District, 27 High St., Allentown, N.J. 08501.