Candidates who would like to fill an open seat on Northern Lehigh School Board have until the end of this month to express their interest.

The district’s board of school directors are seeking applicants for the vacancy until 3 p.m. July 31 to replace former Director Robert Kern Jr.

On a 6-0 vote, the school board at a special meeting last week accepted the resignation of Kern, who expressed his desire to resign in an email to the school board dated June 11.

Kern said in the email: “My time as a member has been an invaluable experience and I hope I had a positive influence on the Northern Lehigh School District staff, students, and community. I wish you and the current board members all the best and hope for much success in the future.”

His resignation took effect immediately. “I thank you all for allowing me to serve,” he wrote.

Board President Mathias Green said the board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4 to interview candidates.

Residents of the school district who are interested in applying for the position should write a letter of interest to Mrs. Gale Husack, board secretary, Northern Lehigh School District, 1201 Shadow Oaks Lane, Slatington, PA 18080.

No telephone applications will be accepted. Letters may be mailed or delivered in person.

Additional personal information, or a resume that will assist the directors in the interview, should be included along with the letter of interest.

Additionally, applicants may choose to email their materials to mking@nlsd.org by 3 p.m. July 31.

Whomever is chosen to fill the vacancy will serve until December. To serve beyond then, the individual would have to run in the municipal election.

Kern had served on the board since March 2019.

He has a long and storied history at Northern Lehigh, where he is a former teacher, principal and wrestling coach.

Kern also previously served as acting principal at Palmerton Area High School, a position he was appointed to in June 2018.

Before that, he was a Nazareth Middle School principal. Under Kern’s leadership, the Nazareth Area Middle School earned a National Green Ribbon Award, a National Blue Ribbon Award and the Governor’s Award for Academic Excellence. Kern was also named the Terrance H. Bell, National Principal of the Year, in 2015 by the United States Department of Education.