Marie Bilik Named Executive Director of NJSBA

Marie Bilik Named Executive Director of NJSBA

Marie S. Bilik, a 14-year staff veteran of NJSBA, was selected by the Board of Directors on Friday to serve as the Association’s new executive director, beginning Nov. 1.

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 NJSBA’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, NJSBA 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 the Association’s revenues through new, non-dues based initiatives.”

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 NJSBA 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.”

Marie Bilik, right, is congratulated by NJSBA Board of Director member Elizabeth “Betsy” Ames of Warren County.