• Field Perspective — The Board-Business Administrator Relationship 

  The most crucial underpinning for effectiveness as a school board member and in responsible governance is to know and honor your role.

• Head of the Class — Jersey City Public Schools Scores with Fun Fridays

  Jersey City Public Schools was honored with an exemplary recognition in the 2022 School Leader awards for its “Fun Fridays,” originally established in summer 2020 by Special Education Supervisor Candace Coccaro and her team.

• Pivot Points

  When the executive director post opened up at the New Jersey School Boards Association, three different people reached out to Dr. Timothy Purnell with the exact same message: Apply for the job.

  

• Workshop 2022: Facing the Future Together

  After two tumultuous years that have tested all of us personally and professionally, the New Jersey School Boards Association is thrilled to be back in-person for Workshop 2022 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

  

• Contentious Times Require Doses of Collaboration and Mutual Respect

  What if, Dr. Saul Rubinstein asked, instead of being goaded into angry confrontations, school board members, teachers, superintendents and parents all worked collaboratively to improve schools and help kids?

  

• Tackling the Teacher Shortage

  New Jersey is facing a dire teacher shortage – and unless the education community acts, there will continue to be a lack of qualified educators to teach the state’s children.

  

• Happy Birthday, School Leader!

  What has remained constant for the past half century is School Leader’s relentless focus on helping local board of education members effectively fulfill their responsibility to govern their districts. 

  

• Five Schools Honored with Innovations in Special Education Award

  This year, programs from five schools were honored: Summit High School, Transitions at Burlington County Special Services School District, New Road School of Ocean County, The Calais School and Benway School.

  

• President’s Message: New Beginnings at Workshop

  This year, I am happy to undertake a new Workshop task – introducing and welcoming NJSBA’s new executive director, Dr. Timothy Purnell. As you may know, he was the unanimous choice of the NJSBA Executive Director Search Committee. 

• Executive Word: Every Child Needs a Champion

  In this latest issue of School Leader, you’ll find articles that will help you navigate these challenging times, including an issue I’m particularly passionate about: easing the teacher shortage.