The Board of Directors recently voted to close NJSBA’s central field office in Manalapan this summer and its Voorhees office in 2008, in light of plans to build a new headquarters and conference center in central New Jersey.

During a Nov. 17 meeting, the board voted on a plan to address the Association’s satellite locations and decided to merge the Manalapan office with Trenton headquarters, while still providing high levels of service to member districts. Located about 20 miles east of the NJSBA’s new 10-acre site in Hamilton Township, the Manalapan central office will close July 1.

“Let me assure you, the board’s decision does not affect the number of our field service staff. It does not affect their ability to work with school boards. And in no way will we allow direct services to local school boards to be diminished,” Kevin E. Ciak, president of NJSBA, told the Association’s Delegate Assembly during its bi-annual meeting Nov. 18. “In fact, it’s our plan to see direct services to you grow.”

Groundbreaking for the building is anticipated in the spring of 2008, with construction completed a year later.

Southern and Northern Offices The southern field office in Voorhees, Camden County, is slated to close in July 2008. The board decided to retain the northern field office in West Caldwell, Essex County, for a full budget cycle after the new headquarters opens. The board will re-evaluate whether to keep that location in January 2009.

Field service representatives will be offered home-office options including office equipment, if necessary.