LOWER MERION — Lower Merion School District officials have announced how they will replace Jennifer Rivera, following her resignation as a member of the school board.
Rivera, who was arrested Aug. 24 on charges that she embezzled more than $50,000 from her employer, told the school district she was resigning effective Aug. 25.
The school district’s next step will be to hold a special board meeting Sept. 14 at 5:45 p.m. The meeting will enable the board to vote to accept her resignation, which will formally declare a vacancy on the nine-member board.
Meanwhile, district officials are asking interested and qualified members of the public to submit letters of interest for the seat.
“The Board encourages qualified candidates with a strong commitment to public education to apply for the position. The position is open to residents of Lower Merion Township or Narberth Borough who are 18 years or older and who have lived in the District for at least one year,” according to a letter detailing the process.
According to a link the district provided, “any person holding any office or position of profit under the government of any city of the first class, or the office of mayor, chief burgess, county commissioner, district attorney, city, borough, or township treasurer, member of council in any municipality, township commissioner, township supervisor, tax collector, assessor, assistant assessor, any comptroller, auditor, constable, executive director or assistant executive director of an intermediate unit, supervisor, principal, teacher, or employe of any school district, shall not be eligible as a school director in this Commonwealth.”
The selected individual will serve until Dec. 5, 2027. The remaining two years of Rivera’s term will then be decided by an election in November 2027.
According to school officials, the requirements for the position include, but are not limited to, attending school board meetings, typically held on the third Monday of each month.
The person must also participate in additional board committee meetings, which can be held during the workday, in the evenings, and at other times, and perform other assigned School Board duties as they arise.
Anyone interested in the position should submit a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three professional references to the Lower Merion Board of School Directors by Sept. 9.
“The letter should state the reasons that the candidate wishes to become a school director, what the candidate hopes to contribute to the Board and the candidate’s pertinent qualifications,” according to district officials.
Applications may be emailed to Ruth Novak, board secretary at novakr@lmsd.org
Hand-delivered mailed to:
Ms. Ruth Novak, Board SecretaryLower Merion School District301 E. Montgomery Ave.Ardmore, PA 19003-3399
The board will review all submitted applications and invite highly qualified candidates to participate in public interviews during a special school board meeting on Sept. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m.
School officials added that the board reserves the right to limit the number of applicants interviewed.
Those applicants must bring a completed Statement of Financial Interest form to their interview. Forms are available in the Business Office of the Lower Merion School District and online at the Pa. Ethics Commission website.
For more information about the responsibilities of a school director, visit the Great PA Schools Board 101 website.
Any questions about this process can be directed to Novak at (610) 645-1930.