The Manville School Board held interviews Wednesday night during their regularly scheduled meeting to fill two vacancies for the remainder of 2026. The openings were created by the resignations of Tyler Canica and Rikki Erickson, which were formally accepted during the meeting.

Interviews were done during open session. Board President Tina Breen set the agenda for how the process would follow. Candidates would be called up one at a time and asked a series of questions posed to them by the Board. Five candidates were scheduled, with four participating and one absent.

Following the conclusion of the interviews, public comment was opened for anyone with questions or comments related to the interview process. No one from the audience rose to speak. Public portion was closed and the Board entered executive session to review the candidates and make its selections.

After returning from closed session, President Breen announced the Board's decisions via two motions. Kelly Harabin and Dorothy Martinez Garcia were appointed to fill the two vacant seats. The Board congratulated both appointees and thanked all the candidates for their interest.

President Breen encouraged all four interviewees to consider running in the November election, where 3 three year seats and 2 one year seats will be on the ballot.

Residents interested in running for School Board must collect at least 25 voter signatures on their candidate petition. Petitions must be notarized and filed with the Somerset County Clerk by 4:00pm on Monday, July 27. Additional information, including the petition, is available on the Clerk's website.

ManvilleToday congratulates Ms. Harabin and Ms. Martinez Garcia on their appointments, and we wish them and the entire Board much success.