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P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI |
NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE N.J. State Board of Education Honors 4,800 Local School Board Members TRENTON, January 3, 2007 - The New Jersey State Board of Education today formally commended the efforts of the state’s 4,800 local school board members who “work tirelessly and without remuneration” to meet the state’s rigorous academic standards. The state board’s action follows last week’s proclamation by Gov. Jon Corzine declaring January 2007 as “School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey.” In its resolution, the state board acknowledged the strength of New Jersey’s public schools and the vital role that local boards of education play in their governance. [The text of the State Board’s resolution follows this release.] “The efforts of local boards of education have contributed to New Jersey’s status as a leader in academic quality, including benchmarks of success such as high school graduation rates, National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, teacher-to-student ratios, and college preparation through advanced-placement offerings and SAT assessments,” states a resolution adopted by the state board today. “The New Jersey State Board of Education recognizes the contributions of our state’s local boards of education to the academic success of its public school students and expresses its sincerest appreciation to local school board members for their focus on the well-being and achievement of children throughout the state.” New Jersey’s local school boards set policies that govern the operations of local school districts, which educate 1.4 million public school children, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), a sponsor of School Board Recognition Month. “School Board Recognition Month provides the opportunity to thank our state’s local school board members—both past and present—for the time and effort they dedicate, at no compensation, to our schools,” said Kevin E. Ciak, NJSBA president. “It also helps to inform New Jersey citizens about the essential role that local boards of education play in the governance of our public schools.” The National School Boards Association began School Board Recognition Month in the early 1990s, and various states have dedicated a month to recognizing the contributions of local school board members. When he was governor, President George W. Bush proclaimed School Board Recognition Month in Texas, and former President Clinton observed the event a number of times during his presidency. This is the sixth year that School Board Recognition Month has been celebrated in New Jersey. School Board Recognition Month also comes at an important time in the candidacy process for local board membership in New Jersey, according to NJSBA. The filing deadline for candidacy in the 2007 Annual School Election is Feb. 26. The election will take place on April 17, when more than 1,500 school board positions will be on the ballot statewide. Information to help communities honor the work of their local board members is available through NJSBA’s Web page on School Board Recognition Month. Information to guide residents who are considering candidacy is available through NJSBA’s online Candidates Kit.
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RESOLUTION FOR SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
WHEREAS, New Jersey’s public schools serve 1.4 million children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; and WHEREAS, the Core Curriculum Content Standards instituted by the New Jersey State Board of Education set rigorous expectations of academic achievement for all New Jersey students; and WHEREAS, New Jersey’s 4,800 non-partisan local board of education members work tirelessly and without remuneration to meet those standards by dedicating their time to the oversight of school district operations, sound finances, comprehensive policies, curriculum and staffing; and WHEREAS, the efforts of local boards of education have contributed to New Jersey’s status as a leader in academic quality, including benchmarks of success such as high school graduation rates, National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, teacher-to-student ratios, and college preparation through advanced-placement offerings and SAT assessments; and WHEREAS, the National School Boards Association and the New Jersey School Boards Association have declared January 2007 to be School Board Recognition Month; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the New Jersey State Board of Education recognizes the contributions of our state’s local boards of education to the academic success of its public school students and expresses its sincerest appreciation to local school board members for their focus on the well-being and achievement of children throughout the state; and be it further RESOLVED, that the New Jersey State Board of Education encourages qualified New Jersey citizens to consider serving as members on their local boards of education.
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