From left to right: Kathryn Weller-Demming, a member of the Montclair Board of Education and an NJSBA board of directors alternate (Essex County); Benjamin Morse, a member of the Bloomfield Board of Education and an NJSBA board of directors delegate (Essex County); Reginald Bledsoe, a member of the Essex County Schools of Technology Board of Education and president of the Essex County School Boards Association; Shawneque Johnson, a member of the Orange Board of Education and first vice president of the Essex County School Boards Association; Dr. Princess Towe, a trustee with the Marion P. Thomas Charter School; the Rev. Vincent Rouse, board chair of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School; Angela Mincy, superintendent of Marion P. Thomas Charter School; Charlene Peterson, a senior field service representative at NJSBA; and Allan Boomer, a trustee of Marion P. Thomas Charter School.

The Marion P. Thomas Charter School Board came together to earn Board Certification in just two years.

The board engaged in strategic planning, had its charter renewed, set annual school and board goals and engaged in training on ethics, policy, the chief school administrator and board evaluation processes and governance tools.

The board’s commitment to training is exemplified by its interest in immediately beginning the work to earn the Carole E. Larsen Master Board award. The board must train together for 10 more hours over a two-year period.