Interim School Board Member Appointed Unanimously

The Board of Education of the School District of the Chathams unanimously confirmed Phil Franz of Chatham Borough as their new interim board member Monday.

Franz was chosen to fill the . He said he will likely run for the full-year term when the seat expires in April.

"That's the intent, but what's appealing is that I can get settled in and see how I get up to speed," Franz said.

Board President Thomas K. Belding said Franz was the unanimous recommendation of himself and Board Members Richard Connors and Jill Weber. "He's an outstanding individual who came across to us with unquestioned sincerity," Belding said.

Six board members voted to appoint Franz to the board, with no members opposed and Board Members Kim Cronin and John Nonnenmacher absent. He was immediately sworn in and took his seat on the board.

Three other individuals were interviewed by the panel for the role.

Franz works for Bank of America's legal department. He commutes to New York City. He has lived in Chatham Borough since 1999 and his three daughters attend Chatham Middle School, Lafayette Avenue School and Washington Avenue School.

Stephen Barna, who himself started as an interim member of the board, was also at the meeting to receive a plaque from the board commemorating him on his six years of service on the board.

Barna also had a gift for the administration: A framed print of the district's guiding principles, which were approved after Barna's resignation.