Washington Township School Board representative Kristin Gallagher will be running for seat in the November election, even though her name wasn’t originally on the list of incumbents seeking an additional term.

Gallagher, who was appointed to her seat in July 2011, filed her paperwork with the county prior to the June 5 deadline, she said, but due to a mix-up somewhere in between, her name was not on the list released that day.

“My application was in, but then I went out of town on a business trip,” Gallagher said. “Some things couldn’t be finalized until I returned, but I had every intention of running from the beginning.”

Gallagher’s petition to run was not formally processed until June 9, she said. A misstep in filling out a portion of the application occurred, but because the paperwork was filed prior to June 5, the county clerk allowed the documentation. 

Gallagher is a member of the board’s finance committee. This is her first time running for office.

“I consider it an honor to serve the community,” Gallagher said, “and look forward to many more successes such as the improvement in our educational programming and reduction in the overall tax levy that we accomplished this year.”

Board president Mike Rec, whose term also ends this year, did not file for re-election. Board member Perry Kwok, another incumbent, did file and will be seeking re-election for a three-year seat.

Process Change

Earlier this year, the board voted to move its election to November after Governor Chris Christie allowed the option.

Because of the switch, however, new rules now pertain to school boards that once were not there. 

With Rec’s seat now open, the only way for it to be filled is through a write-in campaign during the general election. If no resident’s name is written in, the county superintendent of schools will appoint someone to the board prior to the January organization meeting.

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.