P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

NJSBA Expresses Condolences on Death of Bob Franks

TRENTON, April 12, 2010 — Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director, issued the following statement after this weekend’s announcement of the death of former New Jersey Congressman Robert Franks.

“The New Jersey School Boards Association extends its condolences to the family of former Congressman Robert Franks.

“During his public service as a state legislator and a Member of Congress, Bob Franks demonstrated sensitivity to the concerns of local school districts, whether by appearing at NJSBA programs or meeting with board members at the annual federal relations network conference in Washington. He conveyed an appreciation for the value of local governance of public education.”

Franks, 58, died on Friday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan after a battle with cancer.

A resident of Berkeley Heights, Franks spent 14 years as a member of the state Legislature and later represented the state’s 7th Congressional district from 1992 through 2000. He is a former chairman of the state Republican Party and was a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2000.

The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 588 local boards of education and includes 44 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education