Three Board of Education members were commended for their service with the board at the Dec. 16 Moorestown BOE meeting. A. Leigh Powell, Christina Zajac and BOE President Don Mishler attended their final public BOE meeting as members. The three are retiring from their services with the board at the end of the year.
Powell served one term for three and a half years. He was part of the Technology Committee, Budget and Finance Committee and Revenue Generation Committee. He was also a part of the board committee of MoorArts.
“His contributions to the technology focus and technological improvements in our district are amazing,” said Kathy Goldenberg, BOE vice president.
He has been the chairman of the technology committee and revenue generation committee, a new committee started less than six months ago.
“He jump-started with more enthusiasm and clarity than I have ever seen from a new board member. Leigh’s insight to get into the heart of the matter and guide the discussion appropriately has been incredible. Leigh and his contributions will be greatly missed,” Goldenberg said.
Zajac originally replaced a board member, and has since stayed three additional terms, for a total of 10 years. She was part of the Curriculum Committee, Operations and Facilities Committee and Policy Committee and part of the board committee of P.A.C.E., SpEAC and Calendar Committee, just to name a few. She was also the chairperson of the Curriculum, Policy and Leadership Committees as well as vice president of the board.
“She has an amazing ability to bring attention to detail, which surpasses all other board members. Her care and her passion for this district have helped guide all of the board members. Her leadership and wealth of knowledge shall be greatly missed by all of us,” Goldenberg said.
Mishler has overseen the Moorestown public school system by volunteering continually and being elected and re-elected by the township for more than eight consecutive terms, which is equivalent to 25 years. He first came to the board in 1990, was vice president in 1995 and became president in 2005.
“Our BOE members are not compensated in any manner; Don’s dedication deserves very special recognition,” Goldenberg said.
He was a part of and chaired the Budget and Finance Committee, Operations and Facilities Committee and Leadership Committee just to name a few.
“Moorestown Township Public Schools has consistently delivered a phenomenal education throughout Mishler’s tenure. Don’s caring manner, always putting the children first in every decision I have seen him make, speaks to his character. Our BOE records go back to 1910, and according to these records, he has now served longer than any person to date,” Goldenberg said.
Zajac felt it was a privilege to serve on the BOE. She commended the schools for all the advances they have made and the obstacles they have overcome. She felt the district would continue to be a leader.
“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to serve the children and families,” Zajac said.
Powell expressed his thanks and his thoughts that the best part of the board isn’t just the board itself, but the individual committees. He felt working together to make decisions in the best interest of everyone in the township was great. And working with different individuals with different perspectives and opinions was healthy and good when coming to a decision.
“I’ve been privileged to serve on the board. I think we have a great team in place. I’d like to thank everybody, the board and the administration, for giving me this opportunity,” Powell said.
“It’s been my pleasure to serve the community. It’s been rewarding. It’s been challenging. It’s been frustrating. It has always been a great privilege of mine to have been able to serve in this capacity. I will miss it a lot and I wish you well. Thank you very much,” Mishler said.
All the members were given a round of applause for their service.
In other news:
• Lynn Shugars, business administrator and board secretary, gave a presentation on the BOE’s revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances, governmental funds for the year ended on June 30.
A document of the audit and the presentation can be found online at www.mtps.com.
• The board has chosen and approved New Road Construction Management as its construction manager and Edwards Engineering Group as its site engineer for the construction and improvements in the Building Excellence Referendum. Voters approved two referendum questions on Sept. 30 — one for improvements to aging infrastructures at schools for exterior renovations, interior renovations, HVAC upgrades, electrical/security and technology upgrades, and one that includes patching and paving of driveways and parking lots at the schools, cafeteria table replacements at George C. Baker School, carpeting and flooring replacements at UES, theater improvements and athletic fields improvements.
• The next BOE meeting will be on Jan. 7, starting at 7 p.m., for swearing in of new BOE members.
