During the Essex County School Boards Association meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, held at Newark Vocational High School in Newark, Charlene Peterson, senior field service representative at the New Jersey School Boards Association, honored Marion P. Thomas Charter School with the Carole E. Larsen Master Board Certification.

The Marion P. Thomas Charter School Board of Trustees first achieved certification in the fall of 2023. After that, the board set a goal to continue its certification journey and complete it within a year. Over the past few years, the board has participated in numerous training sessions, which challenged Peterson to develop tailored content for them. Together, they trained on topics including the characteristics of high-performing boards, ethics, budget management, committee functions, evaluation of the chief school administrator, goal setting and a retreat focused on student achievement.

The board’s dedication and commitment to effective governance play a crucial role in supporting the school’s motto, “A Village of Infinite Possibilities.”

Left to Right: Shawneque Johnson, first vice president of the ECSBA; Reginald Bledsoe, president of the ECSBA; Benjamin Morse, an NJSBA board of directors delegate; Charlene Peterson, an NJSBA senior field service representative; the Rev. Vincent Rouse, Marion P. Thomas Charter School Board of Trustees chair; and Hasani Council, second vice president for legislation of the ECSBA. Not pictured is Tina Jalloh, board attorney.