Board Vacancy

The Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s Board of Education is seeking to fill a vacant seat. The vacancy was announced at the June 15, 2023, Board of Education meeting following the resignation of trustee Elizabeth Gereghty, effective June 20, 2023.

On July 6, the 2023-24 Board of Education intends to appoint a new trustee. That new trustee would serve until the next Board of Education election on May 21, 2024. Individuals interested in being considered should send a letter of intent and resume to District Clerk Kimberly Monzon at kmonzon@klschools.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023. Here are the necessary qualifications. 

Gereghty filed a resignation letter with Monzon and then announced her resignation at the District’s June 15 Board of Education meeting. She said that she believed that stepping back from her Board service was the most appropriate course to take while engaged in a Congressional campaign.

“I truly valued my time on the board,” said Gereghty. She mentioned helping steer the District through the COVID-19 pandemic and serving as chair of the Facilities Committee as important work during her tenure.

Superintendent Andrew Selesnick reviewed the Board of Education’s options at the June 15 meeting. “The Board’s three options are prescribed in the law,” said Superintendent Selesnick.

• One option would be to appoint an eligible and willing community member to serve until the next election in May 2024.
• A second option would be to conduct a special election within 90 days of the vacancy, in which case the elected candidate would serve for the balance of the unexpired term, until June 2025.
• A third option would be to leave the position vacant until the election in May 2024.

After consideration of all options, the Board determined that appointment would be the best path forward. Trustees spoke to the importance of keeping a seven-member board, particularly because even if only six trustees are seated, four would still be required to form a quorum for the Board to meet, and four affirmative votes would be required to pass any resolution.

Considerations of cost, labor and timing deterred the Board from considering a special election. Trustees also noted that if they choose to appoint an individual now, a new trustee will still be elected by the community as soon as May 21, 2024.

Information about the vacancy will be shared as a pop-up notice on all Katonah-Lewisboro Schools’ websites, on the District’s social media, and as a press release to local media. The Board of Education will review all letters of intent and resumes received by Monzon by the close of business on Monday, June 26, 2023.