DiRosa Bids Farewell to Board of Education

Tuesday night’s meeting was a bittersweet night for Watchung Board of Education member Mary Lou DiRosa, as it was her final meeting as a member of the board.

DiRosa, a 22-year resident of Watchung with her husband Phil and their four children (Mary Jo, Katie, Anthony and Nick), has served on numerous committees during her 12-year stint on the Board of Education and even served as the board’s vice president for four years.

Despite enjoying her time and ability to work with the district’s administration and her fellow board members, DiRosa feels as if this is the right time to move on from the board.

“I believe that 12 years is a very long time to serve on one committee. I have enjoyed my 12 years and have enjoyed working with each and every board member, past and present,” DiRosa said. “This is and always has been a very respectful group of people. I have enjoyed working under the best administrators including Dr. Parenty, Dr. (Catherine) Rock and Dr. (Mary Louise) Malyska. They are all truly class acts. I believe there are very talented people in Watchung that could take my spot. It is just time to move on.”

DiRosa has never been a stranger to volunteering. She currently sits on the Somerset County Education Service Commission, where she has served since 2000 and has previously served as the commission’s president. This willingness to volunteer means that DiRosa will be ready if her number is ever called to serve in the district again.

“I would be more the honored if a time came that they would need my help. My mother taught me that I have been given a gift in life and that we always need to give back,” DiRosa said. “I would be happy to help in the community in any way that was needed.”