BOE expected to appoint Hoben's replacement

SHRUB OAK, N.Y.—The Lakeland Board of Education is leaning toward appointing someone to fill the seat left vacant by Bryan Hoben, who resigned in August.

The board has 90 days from Hoben’s resignation on Aug. 14 to fill the seat, per district policy. Options include a board appointment or a public election, which would cover the full vacated term. Because Hoben’s term was set to expire in on June 30, both options would fill the seat until the May 2026 budget vote and school board election.

During its Sept. 18 meeting, the board discussed the feasibility of holding a public election in mid-November. Members unanimously decided that an appointment would be more efficient and cost-effective, since the person appointed would vacate the seat in May, allowing voters to choose a permanent replacement during the regular election. District officials argue that the $20,000 cost of a special election outweighed the benefits to the district.

Board President Becky Burfeind said the process requires four notifications and several weeks of preparation, calling the timeline “tight.” She said the board is uncertain whether it could secure voting machines during the 90-day window, particularly during the busy voting season, and the board noted that holding a manual election would be even more expensive.

Vice President Michael Daly said an appointment makes financial sense.

“I've been on the board over 10 years. We have historically appointed well-qualified individuals to fill vacant seats. When I look around the board today, I see Mr. Pinkowsky, Mrs. DiSalvo Kolesar, who was also appointed, both very well regarded in the community, both added tremendous value, and the public saw the value of that by overwhelmingly electing them at regularly scheduled elections to be fiscally responsible. I just don't see the need to spend 20-plus-thousand to put somebody in the chair for five months. But that's my personal opinion.”

Other board members agreed. The discussion was expected to continue at the board’s next meeting on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. when all board members are present.