Danielle Gomes-Chapman is the newest member of the Margate Board of Education.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The Board of Education Wednesday, Aug. 9 held a reorganization following the death of board President Joel Frankel last month.
The board installed Danielle Gomes-Chapman who was appointed to a three-year term by Mayor Michael Collins. Margate has a Type 1 school district with board members appointed by the mayor and budgets approved by the Board of School Estimate.
Danielle Gomes-Chapman takes the oath of office.
Gomes-Chapman said she is “grateful” to be part of the board.
The board then accepted nominations for officers and voted to appoint Joseph Pepe as president, and Jack Sorensen as vice-president.
From left, board member Jim Swift, President Joseph Pepe and Superintendent Audrey Becker.
The board held a moment of silence in memory of Frankel and his many commitments to the Margate community.
“His devotion and love of Margate will be genuinely missed,” district Superintendent Audrey Becker said.
Attorney Eric S. Goldstein commended the district and the governing body for their “logistical feat” in holding a hastily organized memorial service for Frankel at the Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center.
“That was a gesture that will never be forgotten,” Goldstein said.
The effort demonstrates the strength of the community whenever there is a need and why people want to live in Margate, he said.
Becker said the Margate Police Department would continue its multi-day effort to train officers and run drills to prepare for any potential emergency in the schools.
“They are practicing as if it is a real emergency,” she said.
The drills will ensure that all officers working different shifts are thoroughly trained, she said.
Becker noted that a new electronic sign has been installed outside the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School on Amherst Avenue. The electronic sign will post school events, activities and community announcements.
Also this summer, the district upgraded its WiFi system and installed new white boards as well as completed several facilities projects, including installation of new flooring, she said.
From left, college bound students Claire Brooks and Eva Blanco.
Also at the meeting, Becker awarded two students with inaugural scholarships from the Tracey Santoro Scholarship Fund. The fund was organized by former school board President and current Commissioner Cathy Horn to honor Santoro who died last year. Retired library teacher LuAnn Amodeo served on the selection committee.
Eva Blanco, who will attend American University in Washington, D.C. in the fall, and Claire Brooks, who is headed to University of Wisconsin, each received funding for their education.
Becker said the scholarship asked candidates to submit an application and an essay on community service.
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