BCSBA President Michael Jacobs welcomed approximately 100 attendees, both in-person and virtually, to the BCSBA meeting on Dec. 5 at Hackensack High School.
On Dec. 5, the Bergen County School Boards Association convened at the historic Hackensack High School, specifically in the newly renovated Hackensack High School auditorium. The association expressed gratitude to Principal Jim Montesano, Superintendent Dr. Thomas McBryde Jr., Business Administrator Lydia Singh, the Music Department, and their staff for the exceptional hospitality, service and entertainment provided during the event.
BCSBA President Michael Jacobs welcomed approximately 100 attendees, both in-person and virtually, including 30 newly elected board of education members who participated in a 3Rs training session beforehand. This training focuses on the roles, resources and responsibilities of school board members in New Jersey.
Barry Fitzgerald, vice president for county activities at the New Jersey School Boards Association, joined the Bergen County members to share updates from the 2023-2025 NJSBA officer team. Additionally, Patrick Fletcher, the newly appointed executive county superintendent for Bergen County, provided updates from the New Jersey Department of Education and the Bergen County Office of Education. Matt Lee, a field service representative with NJSBA, presented a report from the Field Services Department. Michael Sprague, a member of the NJSBA board of directors, also offered updates.
Robert Acerra, a county activities coordinator at NJSBA, recognized the 57 retiring board of education members from Bergen County, who collectively contributed over 450 years of service to local students and educational districts. Acerra also announced the wording of the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly citations that would be presented to each retiring board member, signed by their respective state senators and Assembly members.
The highlight of the evening was a program titled “Addressing the Teacher Shortage in Bergen County School Districts.” This timely topic featured two state assemblywomen who serve on the New Jersey Assembly Education Committee: Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (District 38), who chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee; and Assemblywoman Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie (District 27), who is also the superintendent/principal of the East Newark School in Hudson County. Dr. Letizia Pantoliano, the first vice president of BCSBA and a former superintendent, led a discussion on member-submitted questions for the assemblywomen.
In addition to these presentations, the meeting included various important business discussions. Others in attendance also contributed to the conversation, including Ray Pinney, chief membership engagement officer at NJSBA; Paula Colbath, BCSBA second vice president for legislation; Behrooz Pasdar, NJSBA board of directors alternate; and William Barnaskas, Elisa Billis, Mary Katherine Norian and Marlene Somerville, all BCSBA Executive Committee members.
