Rockaway Township Board reopens in public, swears in members and elects officers

The Rockaway Township Board of Education publicly re-administered oaths of office to returning and newly elected members and completed its annual reorganization Tuesday evening, swearing in Noelle Anderson and Jamie Gorman and electing Allison McGeary as board president and Noelle Anderson as vice president.

The board reconvened in public after an earlier closed session. The president announced the November election results to the public—Mrs. Anderson received 32.95% (6,370 votes), Mr. Eery 31.47% (6,085 votes) and Mrs. Gorman 34.99% (6,764 votes)—before reading the oaths aloud so the public could be present when members affirmed their duties.

Why it matters: The reorganization sets who will preside over board business and committee assignments for the coming year. The board also read into the public record the statutory code of ethics required at reorganization under the School Ethics Act.

During the nominations for president, a board member nominated Allison McGeary; the board closed nominations and held a roll-call vote. The roll-call recorded the following votes: Noelle Anderson—Yes; Jamie Gorman—Yes; Allison McGeary—Yes; Mrs. Mezick—Yes; Miss Richardson—Yes; Miss Torn—Yes. The board declared McGeary president by unanimous roll-call. Later, nominations for vice president produced two nominees; the second roll-call elected Noelle Anderson by majority.

The board president then led the required reading of the Code of Ethics under the School Ethics Act. The president explained that the code is a legal requirement at every reorganization meeting and outlined the board’s obligation to carry out policy-making duties without using the schools for personal gain.

Next steps: With officers in place, the board proceeded with its agenda—approving minutes, hearing a superintendent report and taking routine votes on personnel, education and finance items before adjourning at 8:05 p.m.