Morris County School Boards Association Zeroes in on Culture, Governance, Collaboration and Mentorship

On Dec. 5, the Morris County School Boards Association convened at Morristown High School for their Winter Meeting.

MCSBA President Bernadette Dalesandro welcomed approximately 100 in-person and virtual attendees, 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 and was facilitated by Charlene Peterson, senior field service representative at NJSBA.

Barry Fitzgerald, vice president of county activities at the New Jersey School Boards Association, joined the Morris County members virtually to share updates from the 2023-2025 NJSBA officer team, and Tammeisha Smith, treasurer for the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey, delivered updates on behalf of the foundation.

Charlene Peterson, a senior field service representative with NJSBA, presented a report on field services and recognized the 37 retiring board of education members from Morris County, who collectively contributed over 300 years of service to local students and educational districts. Robert Acerra, a county activities coordinator at NJSBA, presented the oath of office to the newly elected Morris County SBA Executive Committee members, including Lisa Mezik (Rockaway Township), Diane Morris, first vice president (Mine Hill Township), Joseph Daughtry, NJSBA board of directors delegate (Montville Township); and Jessica Decicco, an NJSBA board of directors alternate and an Executive Committee member (Washington Township).

The evening’s program was “Creating an Effective Board Culture — Governance, Collaboration and Mentorship.” The presenters included Karen Ann Nyquist, MCSBA Executive Committee member and Long Hill Township Board of Education member; Lisa Mezik, Rockaway Township Board of Education member; Dr. George Alexis, superintendent of schools for Long Hill Township School District; Dr. Richard Corbett, superintendent of schools in Rockaway Township School District; and Dr. Anne Mucci, superintendent of Schools in Morris School District.

Before the adjournment, MCSBA President Bernadette Dalesandro took some time to recognize Paul Breda (Wharton Boro), outgoing NJSBA board of directors delegate, and Susy Golderer (Parsippany-Troy Hills), outgoing MCSBA first vice president, for their dedication to the MCSBA Executive Committee. Other attendees contributed to the conversations, including Jennifer Darling (Boonton); Peter Dumovic (Mendham Township); Joanne Greene Tobias (Hanover Park Regional); Judy Mayer (Parsippany-Troy Hills); and Michael Stewart (Jefferson Township) all MCSBA Executive Committee members.