By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — Board of Education members are in the beginning stages of seeking a person to fill the seat of long-time trustee Rose de Vries after she left the board on Feb. 1.
“Rose resigning. … While it is a tremendous blow to our district and board, I want to congratulate her service on the board for eight years nine months,” said Board President Jonathan Lifton at the Jan. 26 meeting.
Lifton said the board has 65 days to select a person after de Vries leaves the board; however, he said he hopes the board can select a person before that time. The term ends Dec. 31.
Lifton said de Vries during her time on the board was chairperson of multiple committees, including personnel, athletics and curriculum, bringing her expertise in the college admissions process in her profession as a proprietor of College Advising for Parents and Students LLC, established in 2003.
“She was a champion of student achievement, improving the guidance department, increasing AP (Advanced Placement) participation, and increasing the participation of all types of student endeavors,” he said.
Lifton noted that de Vries also served on the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission for almost the entire length of her terms on the board.
Board member Jackie Gibson said de Vries was an advocate for a well-rounded education in academics and athletics for all the students of the district.
De Vries said she was so touched and humbled by the comments of her fellow board members and she thanked the residents for supporting her over the years.
“I’m so thankful to have found a venue to give back to Metuchen and my community,” she said.
Residents of Metuchen who are interested in filling the open seat should send a resume or letter of interest to the Metuchen Board of Education, 16 Simpson Place Metuchen, N.J. 08840, attention: Michael Harvier.
Alternatively, the resume and/or letter of interest can be emailed to [email protected]. The resume and/or letter of interest must be received by Feb. 15. Candidates will be invited to the Feb. 23 meeting to address the board.