Deadline To Join Bernards School Board Approaches, After 2 Members Resign

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Friday is the last day for interested residents to apply to join the Bernards Township Board of Education after two board members resigned including one member over masking and vaccines in the district.

Jennifer Korn and Lauren Beckman both resigned during the Dec. 20 meeting.

"The reason I can no longer serve on the board has everything to do with mandates imposed by Governor Murphy's executive orders. I do implore all those against them to raise their voices in unison," said Korn.

Board President Karen Gray said Beckman "mentioned family reasons" for her reasoning for resigning.

As a result of these two resignations, the school board announced a search for new applicants for the vacant seats.

Successful candidates would begin serving on the Bernards Township Board of Education from the time they are sworn in on Jan. 24 through the remainder of calendar year 2022.

Interested applicants must contact Jennifer Nicholson at the Board of Education Office at 908-204-2600 x 106 or via email at jnicholson@bernardsboe.com in order to request an application packet.

The completed application packets must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7.

A committee made up of members of the Board of Education will review applications and select candidates to be interviewed at the Jan. 24 Board of Education meeting. Consequently, applicants must be available to attend the Board of Education meeting at Ridge High School on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.

The successful candidate will be sworn in during the Board meeting on Jan. 24 and begin serving immediately.

Should the successful candidate wish to serve on the Bernards Township Board of Education beyond calendar year 2022 they must file with the Somerset County Clerk's office to run in the November 2022 election for the remaining one year of Jennifer Korn's term resulting from this vacancy or for a three-year term.

Applications to run in the November 2022 election are due in the Somerset County Clerk's office by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022.

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