WCSBA Focuses on ‘Hot Topics’ Facing School Boards

The Warren County School Boards Association met Nov. 18 at the Warren County Technical School in Washington Township.

WCSBA extends its heartfelt thanks to Warren County Technical School Superintendent Derrick Forsythe; Patrick Lilly, the culinary arts instructor chef; the culinary arts students; and various staff members for their exceptional hospitality and for being great hosts for the meeting.

Lisa Marshall, WCSBA president, welcomed the nearly 60 attendees in person and virtually, including the 15 newly elected board of education members who attended the 3Rs training before the meeting, which focuses on the roles, resources, and responsibilities of being a school board member in New Jersey.

Dr. Rosalie S. Lamonte, the interim executive county superintendent for Warren County, delivered an update to members from the New Jersey Department of Education. Kelly Mitchell, a field service representative with the New Jersey School Boards Association, delivered a field services report. Scott Nodes, a board of directors’ delegate to the NJSBA, delivered an update to members; John Burns, NJSBA’s senior legislative counsel, delivered a legislative update to members.

Robert Acerra, a county activities coordinator with the NJSBA, took a moment to recognize the 26 “retiring” board of education members from Warren County. These members, who represented 149 years of service to the students and districts in Warren County, were a cornerstone of its educational community. Marshall joined Acerra to thank George Babula for his dedicated service to the WCSBA. Babula, WCSBA’s immediate past president, is retiring as a Harmony School District board of education member.

The evening program was “Hot Topics Affecting School Boards: Engaging Roundtable Discussions.” The breakouts included: “The Role of a Board Member: Understanding Boundaries,” moderated by Mitchell; “School Safety: Insights from an Expert,” moderated by David Guth, school security program director with the Warren Hills Regional School District; and “NJSBA Overview: Leadership and Governance Explained,” moderated by Marshall and Acerra.

A variety of other essential business activities all took place at the meeting.