4 seeking 3 school board seats

Four candidates are running for three seats on the West Milford Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

Incumbent Lynda VanDyk is seeking another term. Also filing petitions by the Monday, July 31 deadline were Stephanie Marquard, Miranda Jurgensen and Joseph Werner.

Incumbents Ray Guarino and Debbie O’Brien did not seek re-election.

Guarino said he has spent six years on the board “through seriously challenging times.” “It was a good experience and being an elected volunteer was gratifying.”

After his term ends, he plans to focus on his career, travel and other things.

The board has nine members with staggered three-year terms.

VanDyk was a board member from 1996 to 2010 and since 2017. She was board president in 2009 and from 2017 to 2022.

“I am passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of the children of West Milford,” she said.

“Our school district has faced many challenges during my last two terms. With the unprecedented cuts to state aid and with changes in top-level administration, the next few years will be a transition period for our district that I look forward to being a part of.”

Superintendent Alex Anemone resigned that post as of July 1, and the board appointed Lydia Furnari to be interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year. She started the job Tuesday, Aug. 1.