VTSD fills school board vacancy

Adina Leuthner was unanimously approved by the Vernon Township Board of Education on Thursday, June 13, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former school board vice president Lauren Karwoski Magee.
After the Board of Education interviewed four candidates – Leuthner, former school board member Cyndi Auberger, Bob Hughes and Chris Wolverton – Leuthner won the nomination.
The four candidates were interviewed separately before the Board of Education so that none of candidates were able to learn the questions beforehand.
Leuthner, a K-8 Enrichment teacher in Ringwood, said in her interview the school board member’s job is to create a vision and goals for the school and to make sure that vision is being carried out.
“It takes teamwork with other board members,” she said. “I think you need to be detail-oriented and see what’s working and what’s not working and making sure we look at all options from all angles financially.”
She said she expects the district’s financial picture to be one of the biggest challenges the district faces going forward.
She also believes her 17-year experience as an educator will be an asset.
“With any school district that there’s a perception that we hear one or two stories and parents run with it,” she said. “I hope we connect with parents and taxpayers the truth behind some of those perceptions.”
The Board of Education also recognized Magee who resigned from the board as her family will be moving to Virginia.