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

New Foundation to Strengthen Public School Leadership
Board of Trustees Represents Business, Government, Education and Non-Profit Sectors

TRENTON, December 23, 2008 — The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of the state’s local boards of education, has established a non-profit independent foundation that will secure non-tax resources for activities to advance public school leadership.

The Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey began operating this month as a not-for-profit organization, approved under the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954, section 501(c)(3). NJSBA legal counsel filed the papers of incorporation with the New Jersey secretary of state in November.

“NJSBA established the Foundation for the primary purpose of advancing public education through training and technical assistance for local school board members and research on improving the governance of our public schools,” explained Harry J. Delgado, the Association’s president. “These activities, at the heart of the NJSBA’s mission, will be the Foundation’s major focus.

“Effective local school board leadership is critical in delivering a vital government service to more than 1.4 million New Jersey children each year. Public education constitutes over one-third of the state budget and well over half of the average community’s expenditures.”

Under its charter, the Foundation may attain grants to further professional development of school board members. It will also provide services that improve the governance of New Jersey’s publicly funded charter schools, as well as other public entities and non-profit organizations.

The Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees, representing the education, government, business and non-profit sectors. The foundation’s Board of Trustees sets policies, establishes the annual budget and oversees finances, determines annual goals and objectives, advises the chief executive officer and provides advice on potential funding sources.

The following individuals serve on the Educational Foundation of New Jersey’s Board of Trustees:

• John Bulina, vice president for finance, New Jersey School Boards Association; member, Tabernacle Township Board of Education.


• Dana Elizabeth Egreczky, vice president for workforce development, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce;


• Christopher Emigholz, vice president for education policy, New Jersey Business and Industry Association;


• Stephanie Fisher, county liaison, Camden County Human Relations Commission; former president, Camden County School Boards Association; former member, Eastern Camden County Regional Board of Education.


• David Hespe, associate professor and chairman, Educational Leadership Department, Rowan University of New Jersey; former New Jersey State Commissioner of Education.


• Ellen Mushinski, director of educational initiatives, New Jersey Network;


• Lloyd Rosenberg, principal, DMR Architects, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.

Marie S. Bilik, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, is the foundation’s chief executive officer and, by virtue of her office, serves as a non-voting member of the board.

The Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey advances public education governance through training, research and attaining grants to further professional development. Formed in 2008, the Foundation serves New Jersey’s local boards of education, public charter school boards of trustees, other public entities and non-profit organizations.

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.