Drury appointed to fill Lawrence vacancy

School board taps mother of three.

By: Lea Kahn
   When the smoke cleared Thursday night, a 42-year-old mother of three was chosen by the Lawrence Township Board of Education to fill a vacancy on the school board.
   Carole Drury of Karena Lane gained the necessary five votes to be named to fill out the remaining three months of the three-year term of Janardhan Manickam.
   School board members Philip Benson, Lawrence Reccoppa, Mark Setaro, Michael Wilson and Michael Winka voted for Ms. Drury.
   Geraldine Hutner of Wood Lane Road, a former school board member who sought appointment to the school board, received three votes. School board members Leon Kaplan, Bill Michaelson and Laura Waters voted for Ms. Hutner.
   Board member Michael Brindle was absent.
   Ms. Drury was chosen from among a field of 10 candidates vying to fill Dr. Manickam’s seat. The 11th candidate, Carlo Farina, withdrew because of business commitments.
   Long active in school and community affairs, Ms. Drury was expected to be sworn into office at the school board’s regular meeting Wednesday night as The Lawrence Ledger went to press.
   Ms. Drury and her husband have three daughters — one each at the Lawrence Middle School, the Lawrence Intermediate School and the Eldridge Park School. The family has lived in Lawrence for 10 years.
   Ms. Drury said she has been active in the parent-teacher organizations at her children’s schools, as well as with the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association. She has participated in parent meetings to learn about the school district budget, the 2002 bond referendum for school facilities, school playgrounds and special education.’
   The school board listened as seven of the 11 candidates made their pitch to serve on the school board. Two of the candidates were absent and one withdrew his name from the running.
   Then, the school board went into a closed meeting to determine who it wanted to appoint. The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour.
   When the school board emerged, Mr. Winka, the board vice president, said the board was "absolutely pleased" with the quality of the candidates. It was a difficult process, he said, but in the end, he nominated Ms. Drury for the unexpired term.
   Mr. Winka said he nominated Ms. Drury because of her experience and connection with the schools and because of her expertise in accounting — a skill that will come in handy as the school board prepares to deal with the 2005-06 budget, he said.
   Ms. Drury earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1984. She worked as an accountant until her children were born.
   Making a pitch for Ms. Hutner, Dr. Waters said she is a former school board president and former president of the Lawrence High School Parent-Teacher Organization.
   Noting that Ms. Hutner is the spokeswoman for the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district, Dr. Waters said she is very knowledgeable. Of all the candidates, Ms. Hutner is the one who can walk in the door, sit down and begin work, she said.
   Meanwhile, Ms. Drury said she was "very excited" to be chosen for the school board seat and that she is ready to go to work as a board member. She promised to do her best for the students and the residents.
   Ms. Drury said she would bring her enthusiasm and cooperation to the school board. Acknowledging that she doesn’t know what the school board actually does, Ms. Drury said she is a quick learner.
   Mr. Benson, the school board president, said Ms. Drury was the best suited to take on the responsibilities of school board member, given her history of involvement in school district activities.
   The field of candidates was outstanding, Mr. Benson said, adding that he was "overwhelmed." He said he hoped that the district could harness the candidates’ energy and keep them involved.