Three New Members Sworn In to Montgomery Board of Education
Nicholas Mistretta
Three newly elected members of the Montgomery Township Board of Education were officially sworn in at the board’s January 6 reorganization meeting, marking the start of new three-year terms on the nine-member governing body.
According to the certified results of the annual school election, Kathryn Worland, Julius Nunez, and Francine Pfeffer won the three open seats. Kathryn Worland led the field with 5,619 votes, followed by Nunes with 5,324 and Pfeffer with 5,270.
At the start of the ceremony, the newly elected members were invited to the front of the room to stand at the podium together and take the oath of office in unison. Each began by stating their name for the record before reciting the standard board member oath.
In the first portion, Worland, Nunez, and Pfeffer swore or affirmed that they would support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that they would “bear true faith and allegiance” to both, as well as to the governments established under the authority of the people.
In the second portion of the oath, they affirmed that they:
- Possess the legal qualifications required to serve as members of a board of education
- Are not disqualified as voters under applicable state law
- Will “faithfully, impartially, and justly” perform all duties of the office “according to the best of [their] ability”
As board members, they will help set policy, approve the annual school budget, evaluate the superintendent, and provide oversight on curriculum, operations, and long-range planning.
The January 6 session also served as the board’s formal reorganization meeting, at which newly elected members are sworn in and the board begins its new calendar year of business. Following the oath, the board proceeded to its customary organizational actions, including selecting leadership and making committee assignments for the coming year.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com