Wall Township Board appoints Cody Smith to fill vacant school board seat

The Wall Township Public School District Board of Education appointed Cody Smith to fill a board vacancy created by the resignation of Mrs. Shimko during its Jan. 21 meeting.

Board members interviewed candidates in public earlier in the evening and entered an executive session before the 7 p.m. business meeting to discuss the applicants. After returning to public session, Board member DiGiovanni nominated Cody Smith for the seat; a second was offered and the motion passed on a roll-call vote. Cody Smith then took the oath of office before the board.

The board had received five applications for the vacancy; one candidate withdrew before the executive-session discussion. The four candidates who were interviewed publicly that evening included Keith Hunziker, Justin Langlois, Michelle Papa and Cody Smith. During public comment after the appointment, candidate Keith Hunziker thanked the board for its consideration.

The appointment was made by nomination and roll-call vote. The roll call as recorded in the public minutes shows the following board members voting in the affirmative: Miss Adams, Mister Anizio, Miss Barbiere, Mister Brereton, Mister Buffa, Miss DiGiovanni, Mister Smith, Mister Wandrack, Mister Mallett and the Board President (name recorded in the meeting roll call). The meeting record states "motion carried." The meeting agenda had listed the vacancy selection as a reason for an executive session; the board reported it completed that discussion before resuming the public meeting.

After taking the oath, Cody Smith was welcomed to the board. Board leadership thanked all applicants for their interest in serving. The board did not announce a term end date during the public session; the vacancy was described only as the seat created by the resignation of Mrs. Shimko.

The meeting continued with routine business, including recognition of district educators and informational items presented by the superintendent. A single member of the public spoke during public comment on any topic: candidate Keith Hunziker thanked the board for its consideration.

The board approved its consent agenda later in the meeting by roll-call vote. The records show one abstention on a consent item (Miss Adams abstained on item 1980 as recorded in the roll call).