Newly Appointed Hillsborough School Board Member Abruptly Resigns

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Newly appointed Hillsborough school board member Jason Albanese resigned abruptly after serving less than two months.

Board of Education President Paul Marini announced Albanese's resignation at the special Feb. 17 meeting.

"It is with great sadness... that Jason Albanese has resigned from the board. I would like to thank him for his brief but valuable service to the board," said Marini. "His experience brought a valuable perspective to board discussions and his presence will be missed."

When asked why Albanese resigned, school spokesman Michael Callahan said "Out of respect for privacy, the District does not typically comment on reasons for resignations."

Albanese was recently elected to the board in the past November 2021 election. He was officially sworn onto the board in January.

His resignation follows the last in-person meeting on Feb. 14 where the board was forced to shut it down after some residents refused to wear masks. Read More: Unmasked Residents Shut Down Hillsborough School Board Meeting

Regarding his stance on masks, Albanese had previously said in an interview with Patch that he believes "in the Constitution of the United States. I believe we are all granted inalienable rights that cannot be infringed upon. I also understand that each person has the ability to make a choice. If parents wish to send their children to school with no masks, that is their choice. We are free people and the Constitution of the United States never gets suspended."

Marini said the board will share more information in the coming weeks about the process in which to fill Albanese's position.

"For now please join me in thanking him for his service to the community," said Marini.

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