Joseph Fisicaro, a school board member from Burlington County, was sworn into office as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Education on Oct. 5.

Fisicaro has been a member of the Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education since 1993, serving as president from 1999 to 2001 and vice president from 1997 to 1999. He has been a member of the NJSBA Board of Directors since Sept. 2009. He was required to resign both his Lenape school board and his NJSBA Board of Directors posts upon joining the State Board.

Education Background His professional life has also centered around education. Fisicaro currently serves on the staff of the Office of Special Education at the Burlington County Institute of Technology’s Medford Campus. He previously worked for 33 years in the Philadelphia school district as a teacher of social studies, Spanish and Italian. He began his career as a teacher working with Project G.O.A.L. at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Joe to the State Board,” Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Joe has encompassed a wealth of experience in education. His knowledge, perspective and expertise will be a great benefit to the children of New Jersey.”

State Board’s Role The State Board has 13 members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state Senate. Members serve without compensation for six-year terms. By law, at least three members of the State Board must be women, and no two members may be appointed from the same county.

The State Board adopts the administrative code, which are the regulations that implement state education laws that govern nearly 2,500 public schools serving 1.38 million students. In addition, the State Board advises on educational policies proposed by the commissioner of education and confirms Department of Education staff appointments made by the commissioner.