BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – James Keelan has taken the reins as president of the borough’s Board of Education. He was unanimously elected by his fellow board members during the panel’s reorganization meeting held April 24. Keelan joined the board in 2001.
Stella Mayes, who has served on the board since 1987, was re-elected as vice president. She has held that position every year since 1993.
Following their victories in the April 18 school election, incumbents Ron Reich and Victoria Muller were sworn in to new terms, while newcomers Frank Gill and Andrew DeFonzo were sworn in and took their seats on the board.
Reich has served on the board since 1999. Muller is beginning her second term.
Resolutions were ap-proved to hire an attorney, school physician, school treasurer, claims auditor, contracting agent and auditor as well as a health insurance consultant/broker and an affirmative action officer.
The board announced that Veronica Wolf has been hired as the district’s new business administrator and board secretary. She is expected to begin working in the borough on May 1. She is presently employed in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District.
Former business administrator Anthony Tonzini left the district earlier this year. Interim business administrators Mike Williams and Kenneth Som-merhalter have held the position since then.
In other business, Keelan presented former board President Pete DeFonzo with a plaque in recognition of his service and dedication to the district. DeFonzo began serving on the board in 2000, but did not seek re-election this year because he is moving out of town.
DeFonzo will be followed on the board by his son, Andrew.
“In his 30 years residing in the borough, Pete has helped his community in many ways,” Keelan said before presenting DeFonzo with the plaque.
“He coached Little League baseball and girls soccer. He was a member of the Freehold Republican Club, along with three other members,” Keelan said laughing. “He served on the Spooktacular committee, was treasurer of the Freehold Learning Center PTO and was a founding member of the Freehold Borough Educational Foundation. He has served this board well and has done a terrific job, both as a member and as president for the last three years.”
DeFonzo thanked the board members and said it was a pleasure to serve and to be involved with the panel.
“I know I am leaving the district in capable hands,” he said, adding that he hopes parents will support board members and offer suggestions to help administrators find solutions to the issues the district is facing.
Officials accepted a letter of resignation from board member Luis DeLeon and announced that residents who would like to be considered for appointment to the vacant seat may apply to do so at the district offices in the Park Avenue complex. DeLeon was appointed to the board in December 2003 and elected to a full term the following April. In his letter of resignation to the board, DeLeon said his current work obligations prevent him from attending the board’s weeknight meetings.
He wrote, “I am very thankful to the board and the citizens of Freehold for allowing me the opportunity to serve my community and provided assistance and input with the children’s education. I am very proud of our efforts and grateful to all of the citizens who have assisted.”