Board deadlocks on appointment to fill seat; will consider matter in executive session

The Readington Township Board of Education conducted roll‑call votes in public session on two nominees to fill a vacant board seat but neither candidate reached the five‑vote threshold the board’s counsel advised was required, so the board moved the matter to executive session for further discussion and planned action.

Speaker 3 nominated Jody Betterman and another board member nominated Paulo Lopes. The board then voted in nomination order. Administration read the tallies: Betterman received three yes votes and four no votes; Lopes received four yes votes and three no votes. The chair explained that counsel had advised the board that, under policy 0143 as read that night, a majority of the remaining board members (five of eight) is required to elect a candidate. Because neither nominee reached five yes votes, the board declined to appoint either member that evening.

Board members publicly debated the correct interpretation of the board’s policies. One member who had interviewed candidates explained the selection rationale and defended nominating Betterman, saying, “These candidates are not equal,” and listing her prior board service, governance training and community volunteer record. Other members raised concerns about perceived conflicts of interest and whether the voting rule should rely on members present rather than the total remaining membership.

Several members of the public urged the board to select a candidate who reflects the priorities expressed in last November’s election; one commenter read parts of the board’s code of ethics and said the community’s election results reflected clear preferences. Administrators reminded the board the statute and policy allowed 65 days from the resignation date to make an appointment; after that deadline the county superintendent would appoint a replacement if the board had not filled the seat.

Outcome and next steps: the board agreed to continue the meeting, discuss the vacancy in executive session and return to public session to take action. The public and the board were notified that additional legal guidance and a written attorney analysis could be provided before further votes.

Attributions: quotations and vote tallies are drawn from public roll call recorded in the meeting minutes and the board’s public discussion.