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

N.J. State Board of Education Honors Work of Local School Boards

TRENTON, January 21, 2009 — The New Jersey State Board of Education today approved a resolution that commends the hard work and dedication of the state’s more than 4,800 local school board members. The State Board’s action follows Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s recent proclamation declaring January as School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey.

“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,” the resolution states.

New Jersey’s local school boards oversee the operations of the public schools that serve about 1.4 million students, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), a sponsor of the recognition month.

The National School Boards Association began School Board Recognition Month in the early 1990s, and various states dedicate a month to recognize the contributions of local school board members. 2009 marks the eighth year that School Board Recognition Month has been celebrated in New Jersey.

Because School Board Recognition Month coincides with the time when prospective school board candidates take the first steps to run for office, the State Board’s resolution “encourages qualified New Jersey citizens to consider serving as members on their local boards of education.” March 2 is the deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to place their names on the 2009 Annual School Election ballot. The election will take place on April 21, when approximately 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 site at www.njsba.org/recognition. Information to guide residents who are considering running for their local school board is available through NJSBA’s online candidate’s kit at www.njsba.org/candidacy.

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.