UPDATE: Familiar Faces Running for Cinnaminson BOE

UPDATE: Former (and soon-to-be current) school board member Harry Shea said he felt compelled to return to public service after retiring from the board two years ago.

"Having had such a long commitment, I've obviously maintained a keen interest in the well-being of the district ... the students, and the community as a whole really," said Shea, who served on the board from 1990 to 2011, with 17 years as president.

He alluded to a few issues—upcoming contract negotiations; capital improvements, particularly at the high school—as top priorities for the board, but said, "I want to get reacquainted with what some of the key issues are."

The board will swear in Shea in at its next regular meeting on June 11. 

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The only remaining incumbents on the Cinnaminson Board of Education have filed petitions to keep their seats, along with another, very familiar face.

President Jean Cohen and fellow Board Member Pamela Crepps have already filed with the county to run this fall. 

Both indicated they wanted to remain on the board so they could continue to usher along important projects and issues—i.e. the proposed improvements to Cinnaminson High School, upcoming contract negotiations—and contribute to the community.

"It's a very important year (2014)," said Cohen, who is coming to the end of her fifth three-year term. "I want to make sure the district is in good hands."

"My decision was to continue to help students receive the best education they can," Crepps said. "We have a great community, and I would just really like to continue to give it my support."

Crepps is coming to the end of her second term on the board.

Crepps and Cohen will be joined on the ballot by former school board member Harry Shea, who also filed to run this fall.

Shea previously served 21 years on the board, from 1990 to 2011, according to Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi. 

Earlier this week, the board selected Shea to replace Linda DiMassimo, who resigned last month for personal reasons.

Cohen said Shea was one of three candidates the board interviewed for the vacant seat.

"He has so much experience, we couldn't overlook it," she said. "And he could just step right back in."

Shea will be sworn in at the beginning of the board's June 11 meeting. 

DiMassimo's (now Shea's) seat expires at the end of the year. Shea will have to run this fall in order to keep it.

The deadline for petitions for both the school election and for independent candidates in the general election is 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 4.  

Check back with Patch next week to find out if any new candidates filed.