Going off script isn’t typical of LBI Consolidated Board of Education President Colette Southwick, but she did exactly that last week to recognize “a very special person for (her) dedication to our school district” at the board’s monthly meeting.

“Now, this person might not be super excited that I am doing this,” Southwick said Feb. 22, “but I believe this appropriate and long overdue.”

Southwick was talking about Marilyn Wasilewski, who represents Barnegat Light on the school board.