At its regular monthly meeting Jan. 8, the New Jersey State Board of Education passed a resolution in honor of New Jersey School Board Recognition Month, which was initiated by the New Jersey School Boards Association in 2002 to honor the dedication of local school board members and boards of trustees.
Mary G. Bennett, a member of the State Board, read the resolution honoring New Jersey’s 5,000 nonpartisan local board of education members and charter school trustees, which the resolution describes as “public servants who dedicate their time, without pay or benefit, to the oversight of school district operations, through sound financial practices and comprehensive policies on curriculum, staffing and other areas to ensure the well-being and academic achievement of all students in the district.”
Read the resolution in its entirety.
After reading the resolution, Kathy Goldenberg, president of the State Board, invited representatives of the NJSBA to come to the lectern to celebrate School Board Recognition Month.
Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the Association, was joined by Janet Bamford, chief public affairs officer; and John Burns, senior legislative counsel, as she delivered remarks highlighting the dedicated work of board members throughout the state.
“On behalf of New Jersey’s 5,000 local school board members and charter school trustees, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the State Board for its support for local boards of education,” Cortellino said. “Now, more than ever, citizens need a voice at the local level. The work of local school board members and charter school trustees help make New Jersey a national leader in student achievement.”
She went on to note that over the years, many State Board Members have served on their local boards of education, including three current members, who she recognized for their service:
- State Board President Kathy Goldenberg, who served on the Moorestown Township Board of Education from 2007-2017, and as president of that board from 2015-2017, and vice president from 2011-2015.
- Dr. Nedd James Johnson, who was a member of the Pittsgrove Township Board of Education from 2007 to 2010.
- Jeanette Peña, who served as a member on the Union City Boards of Education from 2003-2021 and as president from 2008 to 2021.
Cortellino went on to thank Gov. Phil Murphy for recognizing January as School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey, as earlier reported in School Board Notes. You can read the governor’s proclamation here.
“I thank the State Board for joining the New Jersey School Boards Association in recognizing the commitment, passion and dedication of local boards of education. Together, we’re advancing the quality of public education for all children in New Jersey,” she said.
The NJSBA invites readers to watch this video honoring school board members and recognizing School Board Recognition Month.
Absence for civic events The State Board of Education also continued its discussion concerning a state-excused absence for students to attend civic events. The law, P.L. 2023, c.274, permits students in grades 6-12 a one-day excused absence to participate in civic events. The proposed regulation defines a civic event as “an event sponsored by a government entity, a community-based organization, or a nonprofit organization that incorporates elements of service learning whereby students learn and develop through organized service. A civic event shall address an issue of public concern, such as community health and safety or environmental, economic, or community well-being.” The proposed regulations incorporate this new law into existing state attendance requirements.
