Regional Board President Won't Seek Re-Election

Sitting West Morris Regional Board of Education President James Johnston has not filed a petition for re-election, leaving the Chester Township representative's seat up for grabs in November.

Mendham Borough representative Jacke Schram has filed to keep her seat on the board and is being challenged by newcomer Brian Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh has been outspoken about his desire to break apart the regional school district and has presented his case to the governing bodies over the past few months.

Johnston, who served on the Chester Consolidated School District School Board before sitting on the regional school board said the time had come for him to step down. 

"It's time to move on," he said.

And while the current president woudn't commit to saying he was done for good, he did say he was "just taking a break for now."

Johnson's seat is being sought after by Russ Cimbrinski, Bruce Sullivan, and Gary Lakritz. Lakritz is a long-time member of the Chester Consolidated School District Board of Education and lost to Marcia Asdal for a regional school board seat in 2011.

Two open seats are available on the Washington Township side of the board, and incumbents Lisa Woodring and Tom Richar have filed to run for re-election unopposed. Woodring will be running for a three-year term, and Richar a one-year term.

Chester K-8

Gary Lakritz clearing his seat on the Chester Consolidated School Board opens up room one of three slots for five Chester residents. Current board president Kerri Wright and vice-president Heather Ronco are seeking re-election and they are being challenged by Amy Collins of Ammerman Way, Carey Curry of South Road and Judy Irwin of Valley Place.

Dr. Nathan Treff, who was appointed to fill out the term of Laura Fishman after her resignation, has filed to complete the year left on her unexpired term.

The Mendhams K-8

In Mendham Township there will be no election, since that school district opted to keep their board of education elections in April.

In Mendham Borough, Bockoven Road resident Steven Andrew is running for a three-year term as is current board of education president John Vitale of Pembroke Road.