On Tuesday, voters in 90% of New Jersey’s school districts will select men and women to serve on their local boards of education.  Coincidentally, New Jersey’s Annual School Election takes place during Public School Volunteer Week, sponsored by the National Campaign for Public School Improvement.

While local school board members (elected and appointed) are public officials in every sense of the term, they are also volunteers—citizens who give to their communities, without remuneration, for the betterment of public education. So, it is fitting that we pause to recognize the more than 4,800 local board of education members who devote countless hours as the stewards of their community’s public schools and advocates for 1.4 million public schoolchildren.

Every district also has citizens—from parents and students to teachers and community advocates—who are involved in school-based organizations. Several nationwide organizations have established dates throughout the spring to recognize school volunteers, both young and old. If you would like to honor those who volunteer in your schools, visit the Web sites listed at right for more information.

At NJSBA, it is our privilege to represent all boards of education and to serve their members who so generously volunteer their time and energy for the benefit of our children.

Sincerely,
Edwina M. Lee
NJSBA Executive Director