Denise Moran will lead the school board in 2026. Members named Timothy McGarvey vice president.
As the new year begins, the Shamong Township School District continues to address necessary repairs.
Voters came out to the polls on Dec. 9 to defeat a proposed $25-million referendum that school officials said would “update building systems and integrity and improve an indoor environment that directly benefits student needs.”
The final vote – including vote-by-mail ballots – was 684 no votes and 384 yes votes. As for any decision regarding a future referendum, Superintendent Mayreni Fermin-Cannon said it “will rest with the new board.”
The board reorganized on Jan. 6 with new members Michael Corney and Toby Martin. They won the two available seats in the November election over incumbents Keith Hopson and Jeff Warner, who were seeking reelection. Denise Moran was named board president, and Timothy McGarvey vice president.
The pre-K-to-8 district has and continues to budget for a variety of facility needs, but is unable to fund all larger, big-ticket items without a referendum, school officials said during presentations last year, when architect planners with Fraytak Veisz Hopkins and Duthie P.C. offered their plan. The proposal includes $15.5 million for Indian Mills Memorial School and $9.5 million for Indian Mills School.
The projects include HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) upgrades, replacement of boilers and water heaters, and solar-ready roofing replacements at both schools.
