Governor Proclaims January 2008 ‘School Board Recognition Month’

Governor Proclaims January 2008 ‘School Board Recognition Month’

Noting the countless hours that New Jersey’s 4,800 volunteer members of local school boards devote to the oversight of the public schools, Gov. Jon S. Corzine last week proclaimed January 2008 as School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey.

“As the policymaking bodies for local school districts, New Jersey’s local boards of education endeavor to meet the challenges facing public schools and help students achieve state academic standards,“ the governor said in his proclamation. “By making meaningful contributions to our schools and communities, the dedicated members of local school boards have enhanced our state and nation.”

“The work of New Jersey’s local boards of education has a direct impact on public school students and what they achieve in the classroom,” explained Kevin E. Ciak, NJSBA president. “School boards set educational goals for their communities and make crucial decisions concerning the curriculum, the staffing and the financing of schools. They serve as the voice of their community in deciding the policies under which public schools operate.”

NJSBA initiated the state’s first School Board Recognition Month in 2002 as a way to acknowledge the work of the local school board members who oversee the education of New Jersey’s 1.4 million public school students. Nationally, School Board Recognition Month began in the early 1990s with a proclamation by then-President Clinton. In addition to New Jersey, several other states dedicate a month to recognize the service of their state’s community school boards.

School Board Recognition Month comes at an opportune time of year, when New Jersey citizens interested in public education consider candidacy for their local boards of education. This year, Feb. 25 will be the deadline to file nominating petitions for candidacy in the 2008 Annual School Election. The election will take place on April 15, when more than 1,500 school board seats will be on the ballot throughout the state.

Gov. Corzine’s proclamation, as well as information on ways to celebrate the work of school boards, can be found on the School Board Recognition Month section of NJSBA’s Web site.