LAVALLETTE — The Lavallette Board of Education accepted the resignation of longtime member Alison Zylinski at its most recent meeting. Resident Matthew Schlosser was selected by the board from two candidates to fill the vacancy caused by Zylinski’s departure.
It was announced at the May 1 board meeting that Zylinski, who has served on the Lavallette Board of Education for 20 years, would be resigning from the board effective June 21. Her term was originally set to end in 2026.
“I feel like I have given my amount of time, and it’s appropriate to let other people within our community take on that role and ensure our governance of our school district,” Zylinski told The Ocean Star on Wednesday. “I am very grateful to the Lavallette school district for what they’ve provided my family and my children, who have gone through the school, so that was my way of giving back — to serve in this capacity.”
Zylinski was on the board for several pivotal events in the past two decades, including Superstorm Sandy as well as two superintendent searches.
She further emphasized the importance of service and the value within such a small school district, saying, “I really do believe in everyone needing to do something for their community, and to take part in some kind of service. It was a good alignment for me, being an educator…and I think that’s the strength that I brought to the board.”
“I think our greatest work as a board was sustaining our district,” she said. “As a small school, a lot of the time we’re under fire, but we believe in our small school; I believe in the work we do.”
“Alison has served our community as a board member for over 20 years,” said Superintendent Lisa Gleason. “She’s been instrumental in the continued success of our school, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for her extraordinary service.”
Board President Grasso recognized Zylinski’s work in education and as a source of stability for the board.
“I think that she has brought so much to the board in my tenure,” said Grasso. “I have come to rely on her for insight in her views, and it’s going to be a huge void for us. This past year, throughout the challenges that we had faced as a board, Alison was somebody that I knew I could rely on to help guide us. I really do thank her for her years of service to Lavallette and to the Lavallette school board.”
Two candidates were publicly interviewed at the same meeting to prospectively fill the imminent vacancy, Diane Hahn and Matthew Schlosser. Board President Jarrod Grasso posed several questions to the interviewees, who were not in the room for each other’s interviews.
Schlosser was selected as the nominee to fill the upcoming vacancy following a closed session.
“The board unanimously approved Matthew Schlosser, and he will take over the seat starting in July,” said Superintendent Gleason. “The board was very impressed with Mr. Schlosser’s experience on the Ocean County Board of Realtors, Lavallette Yacht Club board of governors and the West Point Island Civic Association.”
Grasso also expressed appreciation for both candidates’ applications.
“I thought that Matt has a lot to offer as a father of two kids that are in the school. I know that he wants to be engaged in the decision-making process…I look forward to working with him,” said Grasso. “To have two very qualified candidates show up to interview, we had a tough decision to make. I want to thank the other candidate, Diane, too. She did a great job, I wish her well; and, maybe in the future, she’ll be serving with us.”
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