In accordance with New Jersey School Boards Association bylaws, a proposed slate of officers selected by the Nominating Committee will be presented to the delegates for their vote at the annual Delegate Assembly on May 10, 2025.
The Nominating Committee selected the following school board members for election by the delegates to serve as NJSBA officers from 2025-2027:
- President – Tammeisha Smith, Knowlton Township Board of Education (Warren)
- Vice President for Finance – Dr. Tom Connors, Piscataway Township Board of Education (Middlesex)
- Vice President for County Activities – Barry Walker, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education (Somerset County)
- Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions – Chanta L. Jackson, Neptune Township Board of Education (Monmouth)
NJSBA bylaws also provide a process for candidates to be nominated by petition, but this year no candidates filed a petition by the deadline. According to guidelines set by the NJSBA board of directors, candidates for NJSBA officer positions are to receive publicity in School Board Notes. The information below is provided by the candidates.
Tammeisha D. Smith, President
Candidate’s Statement
With over 15 years in school board leadership at local, county and state levels, I bring a deep understanding of governance, policy and advocacy essential for advancing NJSBA’s mission. As a Certified Board Leader, current County Association Leadership representative, and ELFNJ Treasurer, I have consistently championed equity, strategic planning and innovative education initiatives. My passion for empowering school boards aligns with my proven track record in fostering collaboration, driving impactful change and serving as a voice for diverse communities. As President, I am eager to leverage my expertise to enhance NJSBA’s statewide impact.
Local Board Activities
- Board President: 2014 – Current: Finance Committee, Facilities Committee, Contract Negotiations Committee, Community Outreach Committee and Governor Teacher of the Year Committee.
- Board Vice President: 2012 – 2013: Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Contract Negotiations Committee, Delegate Assembly, Representative and Teacher of the Year Committee.
- Board Member: 2010 – 2011 – Policy Committee
County Activities
- Warren County SBA Vice President for Legislation, 2023-current
- Warren County SBA Vice President, 2017-2019, formed the Legislative Committee
NJ School Boards Association Activities
- Board of Directors County Association Leadership (Alt), 2024-Current
- 2019-2023 – Vice President for Finance, Executive Finance Committee
- 2019 – 2023 – Non-College Bound Learner Ambassador
- 2024 – Current – New Board Member Orientation Group Leader
- 2017-2019 – Legislative Committee, Finance Committee & Non-College Bound Learner Ambassador
- Director Search Committee (2022)
- Dues Assessment Committee Chair (2022-2023)
- 2022-2024 Equity Council
National School Boards Association Activities
- 2019-2023 Delegate Assembly (Alt)
- 2022-2023 Beliefs and Resolutions Committee
Educational Leadership Foundation of NJ Activities
- Treasurer, 2024-Current
- Trustee, 2019 -2023
NJ School Boards Association Training/Certification
- Certified Board Member – May 2018
- Master Board Member – April 2020
- Certified Board Leader – April 2021
Community Activities
- African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) – Vice Chair, Board of Directors
- New Jersey Department of Health – Office on Minority and Multicultural Health (OMMH) • Governor Appointed Board Member
- St Luke’s University Hospital Network – Board of Trustees
- Star Community Health – Board of Trustees
- Family Healing Center – Board of Directors
- New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJ SBDC) – Essex County Vice Chair
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – NJ Economic Development Committee
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) – National Corporate Advisory Council
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF) – NJ Leadership Council
- Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey (WPC-NJ) – Member
- Project Re-Direct/Youth & Family Services, Inc. – Advisory Board member
Employment
- Insurance Consultant/Broker, LLP – Foundation Risk Partners
- Chief Executive Officer – Dunbar Center, Inc.
Education / Certifications
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certification, Cornell University, 2024
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), 2000, Trinity College & University
- Coursework, Business Administration, 1990-1995, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Coursework Marketing/Management, 1989-1990, Allentown Business School
- Licensures – Life, Accident & Health, Property & Casualty • NJ, NY, PA, CT, IL, CA, SC, NC, NV, MA, CO, GA, DC, DE, VA, TX
- Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, CEBS
- Medicare Advantage, AHIP
- Certified Long-Term Care
- NJ Hospital Association Board Trustee
Dr. Tom Connors, Vice President for Finance
Candidate’s Statement
I’m currently the 2023 to 2025 NJSBA Vice President for Finance. At this time, I believe I can best be of service and value to NJSBA by staying in this position for another two-year term. I have a unique local and NJSBA fiscal knowledge base. Locally, I’ve served on the Fiscal Planning & Operations Committee for the Piscataway Township Board of Education for the past 13 years and have chaired it for the past 10. I have years of experience putting together budgets and overseeing audits. Our annual budget in Piscataway is about $150 million dollars. For the past seven consecutive years, we’ve received a certificate of excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) for our annual comprehensive financial report. In my time at NJSBA, specifically as chairperson of the School Finance committee for five years, I’ve tried to help districts understand one of the most important issues facing public education, which is school funding. I’ve helped school board members from all over the state understand the state funding formula law that impacts all types of New Jersey school districts. Also, in my time at NJSBA, I’ve developed a unique fiscal experience that will help provide a critical view of the association’s operations. It’s vitally important to ensure that NJSBA maintains the proper financial resources to support services for our membership. For example, I served on our 2022 Dues Assessment committee. The committee was charged with finding a method which distributes dues costs equitably across all districts while meeting the financial needs of the Association to provide current and future services. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, we implemented our “Base Dues Plus Percentage of Current Expense Method” with much success. NJSBA’s independent audit for this past year reflected positively on the Association’s business and financial operations and was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors. Lastly, I like to ask a lot of questions. I’ve come to be known as “the numbers guy.” I think this is because of my science background.
Local Board Activities
- Piscataway Township K-12 Board of Education, 16 years.
- Board President, 2019 and 2022
- Board Vice President, 2013, 2023, and 2024.
- Committees: (served as chair in some cases): Fiscal Planning & Operations; Policy/Legislation; Negotiations; Curriculum & Programs; Community Relations; Food Service Debt Ad hoc.
- Board liaison service includes Children’s Corner Preschool; Randolphville Elementary; Arbor Intermediate; Piscataway High School.
- NJSBA Board Certification, 2024.
- Term expiration: January 2028.
County Activities
- Middlesex 2nd Vice President for Legislation (resigned when elected NJSBA VP for Finance), May 2023.
- Middlesex Alternate Delegate, NJSBA Board of Directors, 2011 to 2014.
NJSBA Activities
- Executive State Officer, Vice President for Finance, 2023 to 2025.
- Board Member Academy: Certified Board Member, 2013; Master Board Member, 2016; Certified Board Leader, 2018.
- Board of Directors, 2011 to 2014.
- Trustee, Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey (ELFNJ), 2023 to 2025.
- Trustee, New Jersey School Insurance Group (NJSIG), 2015 to 2020.
- Delegate, Delegate Assembly.
- Committees (served as chair in some cases): Executive; School Finance; Finance; Audit; Legislative; Resolutions Subcommittee; Resolutions Emergency Subcommittee; Nominations; Bylaws Review; Governance Task Force; Dues Assessment.
NSBA Activities
- Magna Award for Piscataway School’s “You, I, We INSPIRE” program, Denver, Colorado, 2016.
- Advocacy & Equity Institute, and “Day on Capitol Hill,” Washington DC, January 2024 and February 2025.
Education
- Harold Spencer Schwenk Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut Institute of Water Resources, Connecticut State Department of Health Laboratory Bureau, Hartford, CT – 1987
- Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT – 1986
- M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT – 1983
- B.A. Molecular Biology, Eastern Connecticut State College, Willimantic, CT – 1980
Employment
I am retired from the Technology Division of the Colgate-Palmolive Company, a Fortune 500 Consumer Products Company. I worked at their Corporate Technology Center in Piscataway. During my career, I did global Research and Development and managed multimillion-dollar projects. I worked as a Ph.D. analytical chemist, a formulator, product developer and project manager. I patented and developed new formulations and commercialized many new products. I’ve been a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 1982. I hold 41 formulation patents and in my academic and corporate research careers, I’ve authored/coauthored 33 scientific peer-reviewed publications and am an academic “Google Scholar” listed as Thomas F. Connors Ph.D. In the end, it was all about establishing relationships and trust. It was a fast paced, cross functional environment. It was all about training, planning, networking, exchanging information and ideas, initiating action, and being accountable. It was essential to know how to manage time, resources, and money.
Community Activities
I’m a former Piscataway Soccer Club executive board member and USSF licensed coach. I was also a youth sports coach in Little League and middle school recreation basketball. I was a coach when Piscataway Township received the Sports Illustrated “Sports Town USA” Award in 2003. I’m also a former member of the High School Athletic Booster Club and was on the executive board of the Superchief Band Parents Association. I was also a former member of the Piscataway Township Mayor’s Environmental Advisory and Open Space committees.
Barry Walker, Vice President for County Activities
Candidate’s Statement
It is with enthusiasm and honor that I am running for the NJSBA Vice President for County Activities. The opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the NJSBA and, ultimately, our students is one that deeply resonates with my passion for educational leadership.
My experience serving on the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education has provided me with a unique and comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public education today. I have been dedicated to creating collaborative opportunities that empower leaders. By identifying paths for involvement, I aim to facilitate an environment where every member feels inspired to contribute, engage, and lead.
I am deeply inspired by the exemplary leadership demonstrated by the current officers. Their invaluable guidance and dedication have set a strong foundation, and I am eager to build upon the momentum they have created. As we collectively navigate the evolving landscape of our educational system, I am committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment where all members can flourish. Through collaborative partnerships and strategic vision, I am confident that we can fortify our shared mission and advance a vision for the future of education in New Jersey.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as Vice President for County Activities and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our organization and the betterment of our students’ educational experiences.
Local Board Activities
Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education
- Eleven-year member.
- Served as Vice President and President
- Member of personnel, community relations, finance, academic and negotiations committees in my tenure
- Liaison to Delegate Assembly, Bridgewater-Raritan Educational Foundation, Council of Schools and NJQSAC
Somerset County Educational Services Commission
- Local Board Representative for seven years
- Executive Committee Member
- Vice President, President and Chair Negotiations Committee
County Activities
- Vice President
- President
- Alternate Board of Directors Delegate
- Board of Directors Delegate
State Level Activities and Training
- NJSIAA NJSBA – At-Large Representative
- Governance 1 Task Force
- New Board Member Small Group Leader
- Strategic Planning Committee Member
- NJSBA Board Member Academy: Certified Board Member, Master Board Member; Certified Board Leader.
Education
- BS Degree in Physics – Carnegie Mellon University
- Graduate Studies in Electrical Engineering – Loyola University Maryland
Current Employment
- Self Employed – Consultant, Community and Church Volunteer
Chanta L. Jackson, Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions
Candidate’s Statement
As a veteran journalist/communications professional, I have been trained to be objective and accurately represent the views of others. I also have worked with all levels of government, have been a Registered Parliamentarian with the National Association of Parliamentarians since 2020, and understand the delicate balance that should exist. For the past biennium, I have served as Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions working alongside NJSBA staff to advocate for policies and legislation designed to provide a fair and equitable education for all students. I would be honored to continue to serve and navigate through the current challenging educational landscape.
Local Board Activities
- Neptune Township 2/2012-12/18, 1/20-Present
- President 2021-Present
- Vice President 2013-17
- Superintendent Search Chair 2015
- Former Operations, Personnel Chairs
County Activities
- Monmouth County Vice President Legislation 2016-2017
- Monmouth County Vice President 2017-2018
NJSBA Activities
- Urban Boards 2012-2023
- Accountability Regulations Task Force 2015-2017
- Bylaws Committee 2015
- Nominating Committee/Certified Board Leader 2016
- Urban Board Alternate Delegate BOD 2021-2023
- NJSBA Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions 2023-Present
Education
- University of Maryland College Park B.A. Communications (RTVF)
- Northwestern Maynard Management at Kellogg Fellowship
Employment
- Communications Media Specialist Hackensack Public Schools
Community Activities
- Monmouth County Youth Services Commission 2016-Present
- University of Maryland New Jersey Alumni Network Board 2022-Present
- Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
