Historic Duo Appointed to West Morris Regional School Board Leadership Roles

For the first time in at least 18 years, the president and vice president positions on the West Morris Regional School District Board of Education will be made up of Chester and Mendham representatives.

Of Washington Township’s four elected members, none were appointed to either leadership position.

Well, sort of.

Robert Strobel of Mendham Township was sworn in to his first term on the board, along with Marcia Asdal of Chester Township in her second term. Tom Richar of Washington Township was also sworn in Monday night.

Just moments later, the nine-member board voted on its leaders, retaining Gary Lakritz of Chester Township as the board’s president for the second consecutive year. As was the case in 2014, nominations for Lakritz and Asdal were cast for the president position.

Eight members of the board approved Lakritz, with Asdal dissenting. Just Asdal and Mendham Borough’s Brian Cavanaugh voted for her, with seven members of the board dissenting, giving Lakritz the appointment.

Then came the interesting part.

Chester Borough’s Don Storms motioned to nominate Strobel as the board’s vice president, which was seconded by Washington Township’s Lisa Woodring, who served in that role in 2014.

Washington Township’s Joe Galayda motioned to nominate Woodring, which was seconded by Richar. After a roll call vote, six members voted for Strobel, with Asdal, Galayda, and Richar dissenting.

The second roll call vote for Woodring saw the same result, with Lakritz, Storms, and Strobel dissenting. At that point, Woodring voluntarily withdrew her name from the vote process, giving Strobel the appointment.

According to the district, it’s the first time since at least 1997 a Washington Township representative was not in a leadership position on the board. This will be the third year the Mendhams and Chesters hold a 5-4 majority on the board after a reapportionment to add a Chester Borough seat in 2013.

The board’s next scheduled meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 9 at Mendham High School and will begin at 7 p.m.