LePera resigns from school board

VERNON — The Vernon Township School District Board of Education accepted the resignation of board member Lori LePera on Thursday night.
LePera, whose term is scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2019, is resigning to attend personal matters.
“Lori is leaving her post far too soon, but for a very important one,” Acting Superintendent Charles McKay said. “I respect what you're doing and everything you're doing for your mom, I respect you more."
LePera joined the Board of Education in December 2013 and Sussex County School Boards Association Vice President since June 2017.
Her resignation is effective Sept. 5.
"It's very emotional for me to be leaving this board and leaving what I love to do,” LePera said at Thursday night’s meeting. “I am very passionate about public education so it is really hard for me to leave, but sometimes there are greater things you need to spend your time with and spending time with my mom is more important right now."
According to School Board Secretary Steve Kepnes, statute says a replacement needs to be replaced within 60 days of the resignation. If a replacement is not found, Interim Executive County Superintendent of Schools Rosalie S. Lamonte would pick a replacement.
"The last thing the county executive superintendent wants to do is appoint," Kepnes said.
School board members agreed on a plan to appoint a replacement by their October public meeting on Oct. 18 at the latest. They are seeking letters of interest from candidates by Sept. 28.
There was brief talk of the possible appointment of Mark Cilli, who is on the ballot for board member William Higgins’ seat on Nov. 6. School Board President Bradley Sparta and board member Theresa Scura Coughlin also are unopposed for re-election.
However, Kepnes said state law says someone can’t hold a seat on the board while running for another seat, and since LePera resigned after the July filing deadline, the person chosen will sit on the board until Dec. 31, 2019.