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

NJSBA Executive Director Congratulates Chris Christie

TRENTON, November 4, 2009 — The executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association today congratulated Chris Christie on his election as New Jersey’s 55th Governor.

“Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Christie to learn his viewpoints on the issues facing our schools,” Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA’s executive director, said in an open letter to school board members throughout the state.

“‘No one should doubt my commitment to education,’ he told us during his interview for School Leader magazine. On Tuesday night, in his acceptance speech, Mr. Christie stated his appreciation for the education he received in the Livingston Public Schools,” Bilik said.

Our impression of Mr. Christie is that of a straightforward, honest man, who sincerely cares about his state. It is clear from his statements to School Leader that he supports many aspects of local governance of public education,” she continued. “And he is firm in his belief that all public officials have a responsibility to carry out their roles, ethically and honestly.”

NJSBA has posted the full text of NJSBA’s interview with Gov.-elect Christie online.

“The New Jersey School Boards Association looks forward to working with Gov.-Elect Christie as we carry out our mission to advance public education,” Bilik said in her open letter to school officials. “We also thank Gov. Jon S. Corzine for his attention to education over the past four years.” For the immediate future, however, the pending changeover in the governor’ office makes the Legislature’s lame-duck session a concern. There is the possibility that an intense, active lame-duck session could result in movement of bills that would have a negative impact on the operations of school districts.

“During this period, NJSBA will remain vigilant, monitoring legislative activities and representing the positions of local boards of education and the interests of public school students. Of that, I assure you,” she said.

The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of district boards of education, advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.