In an emotional conversation on June 1, Reginald Sims, 41, confirmed that he has resigned from the Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education. Sims was elected to the board in April. He said he stepped down after a month of service due to personal reasons.
“I feel like I let the people of the borough down, but I’m the type of person who wants to be able to do the best job I can, and right now there are important family issues I need to attend to. I would not be able to devote the time I feel is necessary to do the work the right way,” he said.
Sims, a native of Freehold Borough, is the father of four daughters. His resignation was accepted by the board on May 27.
“I really thought I could do a good job because I grew up here and know the borough so well,” said Sims, who was the top vote-getter in the April 21 school election. “People showed a lot of trust in me. This is bittersweet for me.”
Sims said he is completely motivated and will be ready to place his name on the ballot again in the 2010 school election.
Board President Annette Jordan said the resolution prepared by the board states that Sims was resigning due to “personal issues and to spend more time with his family.”
She said Sims has also been faced with some new challenges at his job. Jordan said the board is hoping to have a qualified replacement in place as soon as possible.
“We have 60 days by law to find a new candidate,” Jordan said. “We started the process on May 28. When we have received all of the candidate submissions, the board will interview them all at a school board meeting in public. Then the board members will discuss the candidates in executive session and vote on the person the board members believe is most qualified for the position.”
Residents who wish to apply for the seat that is open on the board must meet the following criteria: the person must be a registered voter; he or she must have been a Freehold Borough resident for at least one year; he or she must know how to read and write; and he or she must not have any claim against the school board.