Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Nearly a month after Steven Cohen’s resignation created a vacancy in the Hillsborough Township Board of Education, the remaining members selected a former colleague to return to the dais for the time being.
During the school board’s July 17 meeting, Dr. Lorraine Soisson was chosen to serve out the remainder of Cohen’s unexpired term.
“I am passionate about education and want to work to further build a quality, forward-looking educational system that prepares our children to compete in an increasingly complex college and job market,” Soisson said. “I look forward to serving our wonderful community as a board member again.
Previously, Soisson was a board member from 2012-2015. Before then, she volunteered as a member and president of several of the district’s home and school associations.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Soisson once again,” Superintendent Dr. Jorden Schiff said. “Her volunteer service as a former board member, as well as her many years of service as a Home and School Association leader, has prepared her well to support the important efforts to best educate the children who attend Hillsborough Public Schools.”
According to the district, Soisson was one of ten people to apply for the vacancy. At the July 17 meeting, each applicant addressed the community and current board members during the public session. After whittling down the choices to three prospective replacements, the board selected Soisson for the spot.
Though she admitted that her five month appointment might not be enough time for some of the issues she would like to tackle as a board member, Soisson said she felt that “ensuring that we provide a high-quality, well-rounded education to all students; recruiting and retaining the best teachers and staff; providing…extra-curricular activities; maintaining reasonable class sizes; improving our student achievement; expanding our curriculum and class offerings; building our children’s skills with regard to technology and global understanding; balancing our educational priorities with economic realities; involving the community; and providing safe, environmentally-friendly, modern facilities” were of major importance to her.
“There is no other issue that impacts our town greater than the quality of education available here. It affects not only the outcomes for our children, but our property values,” she said. “We need to make sure that people want to move to Hillsborough like my family did, to take advantage of the great schools here.”
This November, Soisson will have the opportunity to run for a full three-year term on the school board. Whether or not she will, however, is still up in the air.
“I am examining all of my commitments to determine whether or not to run this fall” she said. “It is of paramount importance to have committed board members…I want to be confident that I am able to hold myself to the highest standards before deciding to run.”
