A new representative for Farmingdale has taken her seat on the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education.
Kathie Lavin, who has lived in Farmingdale for 16 years, will fill the seat left open when Colin Miller resigned from the board in October. She joined the board on Nov. 18.
Lavin said she has been active in the Farmingdale K-8 school system, having been a past president of the PTA. Lavin, is the office manager for a local doctor, has also been active with the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce.
Lavin is the mother of three children, including two who graduated from Howell High School and are now in college, and one who is a freshman at Howell.
She said she always wanted to be on the board in the Farmingdale school district, but it never seemed to be the right time for her. She indicated that now the time was right.
"Now I have the time to do it," she said.
Lavin said she appreciated the appointment and looked forward to working together with everyone on the board.
Board member Terry Kraft of Howell said district administrators have been dealing with several issues at present and said he hoped the new board member is aware of those issues.
"It will be a little bit stressful during the next few months," Kraft said. "Hopefully, you will be up to the challenge."
Lavin said she was aware of the issues and has been keeping up with events. Lavin said she has friends who have children in every high school in the district and she said she has discussed the issues with them.
"I’m a very open minded person," Lavin said.
The new representative said she has been known to be a fair person and will do her best.
Lavin’s appointment runs through April. At that time, Lavin or any other eligible resident of Farmingdale can run for the one-year that will be remaining on Miller’s three-year term. In April 2004, the Farmingdale seat will be on the FRHSD ballot for a full three-year term.