New Board of Education President for Morris School District

A minor shake-up at the top of the food chain happened at the reorganization meeting Monday night as longtime board member Leonard Posey was unanimously voted in to succeed Nancy Bangiola as president of the Morris School District Board of Education. 

In closed session before the public meeting Bangiola and Gallerstein re-upped for the board of education and were sworn in along with new board member J.B. Blanchard. 

"I am looking forward to continuing to work with everyone here," Posey said. "And continuing the work that we do. And I what we do we do well."

It appears for Posey the third time will be the charm as he takes the presidency again after serving a pair of back to back terms around the turn of the millennia.

"It was either '99 and '00 or '00 and '01," Posey said. 

This is the 59-year-old Morristown resident's second stint on the board of education, having served for ten years when his children (graduating in '96 and '00) were at Morristown High School. Posey has a grandchild in the second grade in the Morris School District but did not make a return appearance to the board because of his familial ties. 

"I came back because certain board members both current and former thought my candor and point of view was something that wasn't always present on the board," Posey said. "I'm not here to advocate for my own kids. I look at the district from a much bigger perspective. Certainly I am interested in the quality of our education. but I am also interested in preserving and growing the property values and the health of our community. I want to attract the best students, the best families, the best employees, the best seniors. I want them all to come to Morristown and I think the school district has a role in that." 

The new president also took a moment to thank Blanchard and all the board members for their service to the community before calling for a vote for vice-president. 

After accepting the nomination for the second year in a row, Gallerstein had one request of Posey. 

"Stay healthy," Gallerstein said. 

New committee appointments and assignments will be decided by the president in advance of the Jan. 27 meeting.