FLOW Area October 5, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Ramapo Indian Hills trustee resigns from board by Frank J. McMahon Wayne Peterson, a member of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education who is in the second year of his second three-year term on the board, resigned effective Sept. 27. Peterson, a Franklin Lakes representative on the school board, has been on the school board for five years and was the board’s president in 2009-10 and 2010-11. He explained his resignation, saying he has purchased a home in Utah and will be registering to vote in that state. While the school board was aware that he had purchased a home in Utah and would eventually move there, they expressed surprise when Peterson announced he would be resigning from the board immediately. Cherylin Roeser, vice president of the Ramapo Indian Hills Education Association, which represents the teachers and other district employees, expressed sadness on her behalf and the behalf of her membership upon learning that Peterson would be leaving the board. “Your absence from the board will be a loss,” Roeser said. “You served the board with honor, integrity, and professionalism. We had a strong relationship and you consistently valued our role and we in return valued you. It was your integrity and vision for the district that moved the district forward.” Roeser also acknowledged the time and effort Peterson and his wife Karen spent on behalf of the Indian Hills Decathlon Team. “Your loss will be deep for the district,” Roeser added. Superintendent Lauren Schoen and all the other trustees made similar complimentary comments about Peterson, saying he was always the voice of reason with a wealth of knowledge and ability, has an incredible memory, was always available, and set the standard for consensus, fairness, and impartiality. Peterson thanked everyone for their complimentary remarks and said it had been a pleasure working for the district. “We don’t always agree,” Peterson said, “but I am confident that your district going forward will do well and I will be reading good things about you from 2,527 miles away.” Peterson has been a resident of Franklin Lakes for over 22 years. All three of his children graduated from the schools in the regional high school district. Prior to being named board president in 2009 he served on the board’s Policy, Finance, and Personnel/Goals/Evaluation committees and as the board’s liaison to the Borough of Franklin Lakes. A school district bylaw requires that the board must advertise, interview, and appoint someone to fill the vacancy left by Peterson’s resignation within 65 days. According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, school board candidates must be able to read and write, and have no contract with or claim against the school board. Prospective trustees must also be U.S. citizens and must have been a resident of the school district for a minimum of one year. Candidates must also be registered to vote in the school district, and cannot simultaneously hold an elective office. The candidate appointed to replace Peterson will serve on the board until the next school board election on April 27, 2012 when that board member will have to seek election to serve the final year of Peterson’s unexpired three-year term.