Bergen County SBA

Bergen County School Board Association

The Bergen County School Boards Association (BCSBA) is the collective voice for all 77 public school districts in Bergen County. Our mission is to support the dedicated board members who steer our local schools toward excellence.

Our Impact

We believe that informed leadership leads to student success. The BCSBA provides a vital forum where board members share innovative strategies and professional resources. By acting as a catalyst for collaboration, we empower our members to drive positive change that directly benefits the public school students of New Jersey.

Stay Current, Stay Connected

Through regular meetings and professional development, we ensure our members are equipped with the latest insights into legislative changes and state regulations. Together, we are building a stronger future for our community.

Join our next meeting and be part of the conversation.

2026 – 2027 Bergen County SBA Meetings

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (Mahwah Township High School)
Monday, November 30, 2026
Wednesday, February 3, 2027 (Virtual Meeting)
Wednesday April 7, 2027 (Unsung Hero Awards Ceremony – Dwight Morrow High School)
Thursday, May 6, 2027

Dr. Archie F. Hay Award

About the Award

The Archie F. Hay Award was established in the mid-1980s by the Bergen County School Boards Association (BCSBA) to honor local board members who emulate Dr. Archie Hay’s exceptional leadership in education and dedication to the children of Bergen County.

Dr. Hay, a former Bergen County superintendent, was instrumental in establishing the Bergen County Special Education regions and the Special Services School District.

Annually, this prestigious award is presented to a Bergen County School Board Member who, as judged by an impartial committee of non-Bergen County board members, best embodies Dr. Hay’s spirit of commitment and leadership.

Past Recipients

2026 – TBA

2025 – Michael A. Jacobs (Ridgefield)

2024 – Eun Kang (River Edge)

2023 – Paula Colbath (Fort Lee)

2022 – Maryellen LaFronz (Old Tappan)

2021 – Bruce R. Young (Carlstadt-East Rutherford)

2019 – Michael Sprague (Norwood)

2018 – Peter Wendrychowicz (Mahwah)

2017 – Mark Stein (Hackensack)

2015 – David Sarnoff (Fort Lee)

2014 – John Mancinelli (Fair Lawn)

2013 – Mary Kay Buckley (River Edge)

2012 – Dr. Joseph Amara (Bergenfield)

2011 – Barbara Garand (Northern Highlands Regional)

2010 – Beth Politi (Pascack Valley Regional) & Sam Salierno (Saddle Brook)

2009 – Christine Roche (Wyckoff)

2007 – Raymond Wiss (Northern Valley Regional)

2005 – Nancy L.R. Stern (Fort Lee)

2004 – Sheli Dansky (River Edge)

2003 – Margaret Angeli (Teaneck)

2002 – Michael Ratner (River Vale)

2001 – Jerome Liblit (New Milford)

2000 – Colleen Jarvis (Hasbrouck Heights)

1999 – Rose Castka (Montvale)

1998 – Charles Reilly (Ridgewood)

1997 – Russell Petrocelli (Fair Lawn)

1996 – Joanne Bergmann (Paramus)

1995 – Diane Holzberg (Demarest)

1994 – Lin O’Connor (Hillsdale

Unknown Years of Award – Connie McKenzie; Rona McNabola (Glen Rock); Frank Weis; Norman Bleshman (BC Special Services); Kenneth Johanson

2027 Dr. Archie F. Hay Award Information

The deadline for the 2027 Archie F. Hay Award is Thursday, April 15, 2027.

Click HERE for the 2027 Submission Form.

The nominee must demonstrate leadership in their district and be nominated by a formal resolution of their board. CLICK HERE for a sample board resolution. The resolution should be sent by Thursday, April 15, 2027, to racerra@njsba.org.

For additional information on the board resolution, please contact Robert Acerra at racerra@njsba.org.

Janet S. Lobsenz Award

About the Award

The Janet S. Lobsenz Award was established in 2002 by the Bergen County School Boards Association (BCSBA). This honor is presented to a Bergen County board member who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to professional development, both their own and that of their fellow board members.

The recipient must also show dedication to effective school governance at the local, county, and state levels. To be eligible, the individual must be recognized as a Certified Board Member by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

A listing of all eligible Certified Board Members in Bergen County can be viewed here.

Past Recipients

2026 – TBD

2025 – Michael Sprague (Norwood)

2024 – Mary Katherine Norian (Oradell)

2023 – Denise Villani (Cresskill)

2022 – Bruce R. Young (Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional)

2021 – Holly Morell (Fort Lee)

2019 – Sheli Danksy (River Edge)

2017 – Diane M. Jones (Rutherford)

2016 – Henry Senger III (Saddle River)

2015 – Ann Pagano (Northern Highlands Regional)

2014 – Susan McGowan (Franklin Lakes)

2013 – Barbara Garand (Northern Highlands Regional)

2012 – Florence “Peggy” Saslow (New Milford)

2011 – Raymond Wiss (Northern Valley Regional)

2010 – William Barnaskas (Lyndhurst)

2009 – Diane Holzberg (Demarest) &

2009 – Beth Politi (Pascack Valley Regional)

2008 – Richard Snyder (Ramsey)

2007 – Peter Wndrychowicz (Mahwah)

2006 – Margaret Angeli (Teaneck)

2005 – Nancy L.R. Stern (Fort Lee)

2004 – Lin O’Connor (Hillsdale)

2003 – Rona McNabola (Glen Rock)

2002 – Janet Lobsenz (NJSBA)

2027 Janet S. Lobsenz Award Information

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must have achieved Certified Board Member status through the NJSBA Board Member Academy. CLICK HERE for a listing of current Bergen County Certified Board Members.

If you would like to be a candidate or nominate another board member in Bergen County, please submit by Thursday, April 15, 2027.

CLICK HERE for the 2027 submission form.