Reich returns to school board

FREEHOLD — Former Board of Education member Ron Reich has been chosen to fill a vacant seat on the panel.

Reich, 60, who has lived in Freehold Borough since 1974, will replace Reggie Sims on the board.

Sims was elected to a three-year term on the board in April, but he resigned from the panel shortly after his election.

Reich was defeated in his bid for re-election in April, but has ended up back on the panel, which oversees the operation of the Freehold Borough K-8 School District.

Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth O'Connell said Reich was the only resident who applied to fill the vacant seat.

Reich, who is an attorney, joined the board in 1999 and was re-elected several times.

Board President Annette Jordan said, "We were very disappointed with the response for candidates to fill Mr. Sims' position, but we are so excited about having Ron back, and we appreciate the breadth of knowledge of his work for the last 10 years to help us improve the school district."

In the April school board election voters also tapped Michael Lichardi and Maureen MacCutcheon for seats on the panel.