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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 New Jersey School Boards Association Names New Executive TRENTON, September 17, 2007 - Marie S. Bilik, a 14-year staff veteran of the New Jersey School Boards Association, was selected by the organization's Board of Directors on Friday to serve as its new executive director, beginning Nov. 1. Founded in 1914, NJSBA is a federation of the state's local boards of education and provides its members with advocacy, training and consultation. Bilik will replace Edwina M. Lee, who is retiring after 20 years with NJSBA. Bilik currently serves as the Association's director of field services, a unit comprising 25 percent of the Association's staff and which specializes in services designed to assist local school boards in their governance of public school districts. She has previous experience as a school board member, councilwoman and mayor in Sussex County. An 11-member committee, consisting of the Association's elected officers and six Board of Directors members, recommended Bilik's appointment to the full board following a five-month search. Well Prepared "Marie's dedicated employment with NJSBA, combined with her previous experience as a local school board member and municipal official, have prepared her well to take the helm as the next executive director," said Kevin E. Ciak, the Association's president. "During the search process, it was clear that Marie is committed to focusing on the needs of local school boards, increasing the influence of NJSBA as a leader in the advancement of public education, and expanding new services." In addition to managing the Association's field service operations, Bilik coordinated efforts by Association leaders to develop NJSBA's current long range plan and efforts by staff to devise strategies to accomplish the plan's goals. Challenges "On the horizon are exciting developments, challenges and opportunities," said Bilik. "The New Jersey School Boards Association has a talented, hard-working staff. Our membership – the state's local boards of education – consists of people who are sincerely dedicated to the advancement of public education. And the Association's leaders are focused on helping those local school board members fulfill their responsibilities. "That combination will enable the Association to move forward with our goals in the areas of school funding, advocacy and training." For Bilik, critical goals include advocating local school districts' interests as the Corzine administration and Legislature develop a new school finance system, acclimating NJSBA members to the state's new school monitoring system – especially its focus on school board governance and student achievement – and helping board members comply with newly expanded state training requirements. Vision "Going forward, I envision an organization that rapidly identifies new challenges facing school boards, develops services to help our members confront those challenges, and delivers those services quickly and effectively to a greater number of school districts," said Bilik. "We have always been an exemplary service organization attuned to our members' needs. But growth will require ongoing, two-way communication between local school boards and their Association in a wide range of forums." Prior to serving as director of field services, Bilik was the Association's membership advocacy coordinator, a field service representative and a county program coordinator. A resident of Sussex County, she served as a board of education member from 1981-1988, a council member in Green Township from 1988-1993 and mayor in 1993. She is currently a member of the township planning board and its historical society. Bilik and her husband, Paul, have five children and eight grandchildren. "NJSBA exists to serve school boards, and school boards exist to serve children," said Bilik. "It’s a noble calling, and one that I am proud to be a part of." ****** 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. |
