WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Dec. 20 Board of Education meeting marked the completion of Board President Terry Trigg-Scales and Board member Cheryl Merklinger’s three-year terms, and both were feted with official recognition by Superintendent Dr. Scott Cascone and board members Vice-President Jennifer Tunnicliffe, Gary Rothstein, and Melinda Huerta.
“Presented to Terry Trigg-Scales (Cheryl Merklinger} by the West Orange Board of Education, Essex County:
WHEREAS, Terry Trigg-Scales (Cheryl Merklinger) has served the citizens of her community for three years as a member of the Board of Education…and Ms. Trigg-Scales as the President of the Board of Education for one year;
WHEREAS, Terry Trigg-Scales’ service to the West Orange Board of Education includes her leadership and participation in a wide range of committees and associations including, but not limited to Negotiations, Policy, NJ School Boards Association, and Essex County School Boards Association; and
WHEREAS, Cheryl Merklinger’s service to the West Orange Board of Education includes her leadership and participation in a wide range of committees and associations including, but not limited to Policy, Public Relations, NJ School Boards Association, and as Board/Township Liaison;
RESOLVED, that the West Orange Board of Education expresses its deep appreciation to Terry Trigg-Scales (Cheryl Merklinger) for her exemplary service to the children of West Orange Township and the State of New Jersey, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Essex County School Boards Association.”
“This is an emotional night,” began Trigg-Scales.
“Thank you to the community for having the faith in me to govern with this board of education; to my family and friends, and my campaign team…”
In discussing the past three years, Trigg-Scales mentioned the addition of West Orange High School liaisons to the meetings and thanked teachers, staff, administration, and the three boards she served with during her tenure. Her first year included the search for a new superintendent.
“It’s said that the most important thing you can do as a board member is to hire an instructional leader, and we are so thankful to have Dr. Cascone.”
“In my second year, we had the pandemic and George Floyd. Our response as a board was to develop an Equity By-Law and I’m very proud of that. We’ve converted all our board policies and this year our new board reopened the schools.”
“Terry speaks so well and said many of the things I would say,” said Merklinger.
“Thank you to the community for your trust in me. I love West Orange and to serve in this capacity was an awesome thing. Thank you to my family, friends, faculty, and staff and all the Board of Education members, present and former, for all your help and support.”
New board members Eric Stevenson and Brian Rock will be sworn in at the Jan. 6 Reorganization meeting at West Orange High School beginning at 7:30 pm. At that time, a new board president and vice-president will also be named.
BOE member Gary Rothstein, Superintendent Dr. Scott Cascone, board member Cheryl Merklinger, BOE Vice-President Jennifer Tunnicliffe, Board President Terry Trigg-Scales, Business Administrator Tonya Flowers. (Not pictured: Melinda Huerta.)
