3 Newly Elected Wayne School Board Members Sworn In

WAYNE, NJ — A new era began Thursday for the Wayne Township Board of Education. Michael Fattal, Haralampos (Harry) Prassakos and Iveta Wentink took their oaths of office Thursday, bringing new faces to the governing body as the school district continues to navigate difficult issues, including the pandemic.

The trio defeated then-Board Members Eileen Albanese, Matthew Giordano and Stacey Scher in the November election, which featured eight candidates.

Fattal is a lifelong Wayne resident. He and wife Patricia have two children, including a daughter who attends kindergarten in the Wayne school system. He has been a police officer since 2003 and currently serves the Millburn Police Department.

Fattal will serve as vice president, while the board selected Suzanne Pudup as its president.

“I am honored and privileged to be sworn in as a trustee," Fattal said. "I look forward to working with the new board and bridging the gap. I take pride in learning and getting to work with this board.”

Prassakos moved to Wayne in 2008. He and wife Sandy will have four children in Wayne public schools when their son begins full-day kindergarten this fall. Prassakos has a leadership role at a financial institution in North Jersey.

“I’m ready to guide the district in navigating through the challenges during this unprecedented time," Prassakos said. "My goal is to collaborate with all of Wayne’s stakeholders so that we can improve the academic and extracurricular opportunities for all of our students. I will strive to make our district the exemplary model for New Jersey’s public schools by providing the tools for a solid foundation.”

Wentink moved to Wayne in 2015. She and husband Gavin have three children attending Wayne schools. Wentink graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor's in psychology, and she earned a master's degree in corporate compliance from Fordham University Law School.

"During my campaign, I had the great opportunity to speak with many parents and taxpayers who shared their concerns with me," Wentink said. "I hope to bring to the BOE discussions a different perspective that includes these conversations, my educational and professional background in compliance, and practical approach.”

Pudup has been on the board for six years and previously served as vice president. She is a retired teacher, and she and her husband, Dave, have lived in Wayne for more than 40 years.

The district faces many challenges, including COVID-19 cases which have spread the teaching and bus-driving workforces thin. Wayne schools returned from winter break Jan. 3 with a teacher shortage, only being able to hire 51 substitutes to fill 189 vacancies, according to Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback.

Teachers and administrators — many of whom already taught additional classes beyond their regular schedules — covered the rest of the vacancies. Read more: Potential Teacher, Bus Driver Shortages At Wayne Schools

Toback also shared the district's struggles to maintain services for all bus routes because of many drivers contracting COVID-19.

"Be advised that delays and missed stops are a possibility in the coming days and weeks," Toback said Wednesday in a letter to parents and guardians. "The transportation department will continue to provide notice to parents as soon as possible in the event of a delay."

Wayne schools reported 520 students with COVID-19 and 537 quarantined as of Thursday, along with 98 staff who tested positive and 32 employees quarantined. See the district's COVID-19 dashboard.

The board of education will next meet Thursday in the Administrative Building Conference Room (50 Nellis Dr.). An executive session starts at 6 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. public portion.

Watch Thursday's reorganization meeting below:

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