Wayne Board Of Education Seat Remains Unfilled

WAYNE, NJ – An incumbent who lost his seat on the Board of Education could be appointed to that seat this week.

Robert H. Davis, interim executive superintendent, said he would probably appoint someone to fill James Petrecca’s seat ”in the next couple of days.” Davis previously said that he has appointed the next highest vote-getter to a vacant seat when a candidate elected to the seat declined to take office.

Michael Bubba, a then-incumbent, received the next most number of votes in the November school board election. Three seats were up for election. Incumbent Eileen Albanese and challenger Gail Okun were elected to the other two seats.

Petrecca had until Feb. 4 to be sworn in before Davis would consider appointing someone else.

Davis said he received notification from the state that Petrecca did not submit the required paperwork for a state-required background check and was disqualified from being sworn in as a trustee.

Petrecca previously said he would not accept the seat because had “a lot going on.”

“I do not want to take on the position if I can’t give it my all because then I feel like I’m doing a disservice to the position and the residents,” Petrecca said.