Bayonne Board of Education Trustee David “Doc” Watson resigned last month due to a move outside the city due to “family reasons,” he wrote to the board in a November 19th letter.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I needed to move for family reasons. Thank you for the experience,” he wrote in the letter, which was read into the record at last night’s 20-minute meeting.
Watson, an accomplished musician who has toured with mainstream artists such as Alicia Keys, was elected as part of the “Together We Can” slate in November 2020 along with Trustees Maria Valado and Christopher Munoz.
“He will be missed, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors,” Valado said of the city’s first Black elected official at the meeting.
“It’s a sad day for me to see Trustee Watson resign. I’ve known David for over 30 years. He was my music teacher in high school and I have always respected him. He will be missed,” Munoz, his other former running mate, told HCV today.
The Bayonne BOE can appoint Watson’s successor as soon as December 21st at 6 p.m., depending on how quickly they post the notice of vacancy, how to apply, and are able to interview candidates.
The board most recently appointed Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez to succeed Ava Finnerty, who died after a long bout with cancer in July, at the end of August.
She ended up being elected with this year’s incarnation of the “Together We Can” slate, which also included Trustees Pamela Sclafane and Jodi Casais, on November 2nd.
