Readington board accepts Michelle Messer's resignation and sets vacancy timeline

The Readington Township School District board voted to accept the resignation of board member Michelle Messer, effective July 17. The motion to accept her resignation was made and seconded and carried by roll call.

Dr. Hart read a statement thanking Messer for more than three years of service on the board and her work on several committees, including finance and negotiations, saying the board extends “our most sincere thanks to Michelle for her contributions and wish her the absolute best in her future professional and personal endeavors.”

Board leaders outlined the process to fill the vacancy. The seat will be publicly posted on July 20, with an application deadline of Aug. 7. The board plans a longer meeting on Aug. 18 beginning at 5 p.m. to interview candidates, select a nominee and vote that evening; the selected candidate would be sworn in at the board’s Sept. 8 meeting. Officials said this timeline conforms with the statutory requirement to fill the vacancy within 65 days.

The board did not disclose any personal reasons for Messer’s resignation; the chair said that disclosure is up to the resigning member.

The board also discussed routine recognition and thanked Messer for her service to students and involvement in committees such as finance and negotiations. No further action on the seat was taken at the meeting beyond accepting the resignation and approving the vacancy timetable.