New Jersey State Board of Education Takes Action on Numerous Items at Monthly Meeting

At its Dec. 4 meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and took action on the following items:

• Recognition of New Jersey Education Professionals: The State Board recognized the following individuals:
  • Superintendent of the Year: The 2025 Superintendent of the Year is Jack Hurley, chief school administrator in the Rutherford school district. He has spent 47 years in service to Rutherford in various capacities.
  • School Business Administrator of the Year: Dr. Diane Fox, from the Middle Township School District, is the recipient of the School Business Administrator of the Year.
  • Principals of the Year: The Elementary Principal of the Year is Dr. Lindsay Gooditis from the Franklin Township Elementary School in the Franklin Township School District. Dr. Neal Burti of Carusi Middle School in the Cherry Hill Township School District was the other recipient of the Principal of the Year award.
• Statewide Assessment Results: The New Jersey Department of Education reviewed with the State Board the results of the Spring 2024 Assessment. In general, performance continues to improve in English language arts and mathematics. Science results remain consistent. The achievement gaps between student groups remain significant — although the gaps narrowed slightly. To support students, the NJDOE is ensuring that High Impact Tutoring grants, which has served over 60,000 students, RAPID, RAPID+, and NJSLS Technical Assistance sessions are being provided to local educational agencies to help support educators. New Jersey is collaborating on the OpenSciEd project for science to provide districts with high quality instructional science materials and professional development aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for science. Additionally, a Literacy Working Group established by P.L. 2024, c.52 will be tasked with making critical recommendations to the NJDOE on the implementation of effective literacy strategies, evidence-based screening, and criteria for high-quality instructional materials.  Further a $50 million grant was awarded to New Jersey to develop and implement evidence-based literacy instruction from birth to grade 12.
• Additional state-excused absence: The State Board discussed new regulations concerning P.L. 2023, c.274, which 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.”