The second of 2016’s two weekend New Board Member Orientation programs was held last weekend at the Princeton Marriott in Plainsboro. Approximately 80 board members spent Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, attending large and small group sessions on topics including school law, policy, the School Ethics Act, school finance, labor relations, the board-superintendent relationship, improving student achievement, and advocacy. The program, which was available to board members at no cost to school districts, is underwritten by a grant from ETS.
Left to right: Don Webster, NJSBA president; Lenora M. Green, executive director of the ETS Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy; Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director; John Bulina, NJSBA immediate past president
Experienced board members volunteer to be small group leaders at the training program. Left to right: Dan Sinclair, NJSBA vice president for county activities, and Lakeland Regional board; Christine Oppegaard, Neptune City board; Irene LeFebvre, Boonton Town board; Rona McNabola (in front), Glen Rock board; Eileen Miller, Woodstown-Pilesgrove board; Diane Morris, NJSBA manager, training and professional development; Mary Walter, Manchester Township board (Ocean County); Kevin Ciak, National School Boards Association secretary-treasurer, and Sayreville board; and Sheli Dansky, River Edge board.
One of the weekend orientation small groups is pictured. Left to right: Front row (sitting): Linda Spinapolice, Montague; Michelle Goshaw, Berlin Boro. Left to right, back: Jeffrey Trout, Dennis Township; Christine Oppegaard, small group leader and president, Neptune City board; Jason Valente, Wanaque; Melissa Del Rosso, Old Tappan; Joanna Gautier, Buena Regional; Jennifer Webb, Springfield Township (Burlington); Robert Benanti, Garfield ; and Salvadore Schiano, Bordentown Regional
Left to right: Joy Tolliver, East Orange board; Eileen Miller, small group leader and member of the Woodstown-Pilesgrove board; and Velina Riggi, Burlington Township board