The Moorestown Board of Education’s Jan. 7 reorganization meeting saw mostly familiar faces being sworn in and appointed to board leadership. The board welcomed newcomer Mark Snyder, the single new board member among a crop of reelected incumbents.
Sandra Alberti was reappointed to the position of board president, but David Weinstein was not nominated for another go ’round as Alberti’s vice-president. Caryn Shaw will instead serve as second in command during the year ahead.
In the November 2019 election, four candidates vied for three, full-term seats on the board. Alberti, Mark Villaneuva and Mick Weeks sought reelection, but newcomer Snyder unseated Weeks. Alberti earned approximately 27.7 percent of the vote; Villanueva earned 26.6 percent. Snyder earned 24.2 percent of the vote, while Weeks fell just short, having earned 20.8 percent.
Incumbent Katherine Mullin ran uncontested for the unexpired term on the board and assumed the one-year seat. This seat was left vacant in April, following board member Tinamarie Nicolo’s departure.
In the vote for board president, member Jack Fairchild nominated Alberti, the sole nomination at the meeting. Alberti received eight yes votes on the nomination while board member Villaneuva abstained from voting,
It is Alberti’s second full term. She first assumed the seat in July 2017 on a temporary basis following former board President Kathy Goldenberg’s departure to serve on the state Board of Education. Alberti has previously served as assistant superintendent of the Eastern Regional High School district and director of academic standards at the state Department of Education. She is currently director of state and district partnerships and professional development for Student Achievement Partners.
Weinstein nominated Shaw for vice president. Shaw was also the sole nomination for the seat and she received a unanimous, nine yes votes.
Weinstein took a moment at the meeting to thank the board for allowing him to serve as vice president the last two years. He also explained his decision not to seek reelection.
“I believe that leadership should rotate and that people should have the opportunity to be at the top and understand what it means to be in leadership; the only way to do that is to let people do that,” he said.
“I hope that more people have the opportunity to take leadership positions within the board in the future.”
In response, Shaw thanked her fellow board members for the opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to working with Sandra and all of you,” Shaw said. “I’m very excited.”
The next meeting of the Moorestown Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, Jan 21, at 7 p.m. at William Allen Middle School.
