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Press Releases

Keep up with the latest announcements from NJSBA.

Voters Decide School Construction Questions in March 14 Special Election

March 16, 2023

TRENTON, March 16, 2023 — Voters headed to the polls for a special election March 14 to decide school construction proposals. Statewide, the New Jersey School…

Voters to Decide School Construction Questions in March 14 Special Election

March 10, 2023

TRENTON, Mar. 9, 2023 Voters will head to the polls for a special election March 14 to decide school construction proposals. Statewide, the New Jersey…

NJSBA RELEASES REPORT ON FIREARMS SAFETY

March 10, 2023

TRENTON, March 9, 2023 — The New Jersey School Boards Association has released a report,  Firearms Safety: Process, Programs and Practices for Safety in School, Home…

Voters Decide School Construction Questions in Special Election On Jan. 24, 2023

January 27, 2023

Voters headed to the polls for a special election Jan. 24 to decide school construction proposals. One town also had a special school board election…

Governor Proclaims January 2023 'School Board Recognition Month'

January 27, 2023

Citing the meaningful contributions that boards of education make to public education and to the quality of life in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has…

Voters Decide School Construction Questions in Dec. 13, 2022 Special Election

January 27, 2023

Voters went to the polls Dec. 13 to decide various school construction proposals in a special election. Statewide, the New Jersey School Boards Association knows…

Articles Voters Decide School Board Seats, Ballot Questions, Nov. 2, 2022

January 27, 2023

New Jersey voters went to the polls Nov. 2, and, in addition to voting for the governor, state legislative and local officials, most had the…

NJSBA Thanks Governor for Commitment to Student Mental Health Programs

November 17, 2022

Trenton, November 17, 2022—The New Jersey School Boards Association today thanked Gov. Phil Murphy for his commitment to expanding mental health services to a greater…

Voters Mull School Board Candidates, District Construction Projects and More on November 8

November 03, 2022

When voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8, most will have the opportunity to choose people who will serve on their local school boards.…

NJSBA Announces 2022-2023 Board Member of the Year

October 27, 2022

Each year since 2005, the New Jersey School Boards Association has honored a local board of education member who makes significant contributions to public education,…

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About Press Releases

New Jersey School Boards Association Names

Dr. Timothy J. Purnell as Incoming Executive Director

TRENTON, May 19, 2022 — Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, a former New Jersey Superintendent of the Year and the interim executive county superintendent of Morris County, has been named as the next executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association following a nationwide search. The organization’s board of directors approved the appointment unanimously May 13.  Purnell will succeed Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod in July, who announced in January that he would retire as executive director after almost 10 years at the helm of the Association. “The NJSBA Executive Director Search Committee received scores of applications from throughout the country,” said NJSBA President Irene LeFebvre. “We were impressed with Dr. Purnell’s creativity, business acumen and commitment to the children of New Jersey. We’re confident that his enthusiasm, educational expertise and business experience will be an asset to local boards of education and serve the Association well.” Purnell thanked the board of directors for appointing him to serve in such an important role. “I have long admired the work of NJSBA,” he said. “As a superintendent, I had the experience of working with the Association at various times and I understand the role that local boards of education play in advancing student achievement. I’m excited to take on this role, which will allow me to make a contribution to public education in New Jersey.” Purnell’s commitment to New Jersey students and educators runs deep. Since April 2021, he has served the New Jersey Department of Education as interim executive county superintendent of Morris County, providing general support and oversight between local school districts and Trenton. He was superintendent of Somerville Public Schools in Somerset County from 2011 to 2017. During his time in Somerville, he served as the legal chair of the New Jersey State Board of Examiners and president of the Somerset County Superintendents’ Roundtable. Prior to that, Purnell was superintendent of Harding Township schools in Morris County. He started his career as a science teacher in the Montclair Public Schools in Essex County before rising up the ranks in school administration. In 2015, Purnell was named the New Jersey Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and in 2016, was awarded National Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents. He is the co-founder and CEO of “It’s Anonymous,” a startup that serves as an anonymous crowdsourcing platform for companies, businesses and communities to unleash their hidden potential. He earned a doctorate in educational administration from Seton Hall University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Montclair State University and a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the University of Delaware. He graduated from Montville Township High Schools and is a member of the MTHS Hall of Fame.

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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of the state’s local boards of education and includes the majority of New Jersey’s charter schools as associate members. NJSBA provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance.  

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The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of boards of education, provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance.

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