The Archie F. Hay Award was established in the mid-1980s by the Bergen County School Boards Association to honor local board members who exemplify Dr. Archie F. Hay’s leadership in education and his commitment to the children of Bergen County.
Dr. Hay, a former superintendent of Bergen County, was instrumental in the establishment of the Bergen County Special Education regions and the Special Services School District.
Ray Pinney, NJSBA Chief Membership Engagement Officer, presented the 2025 Archie F. Hay Award to Michael A. Jacobs, president of the Bergen County School Boards Association and a member of the Ridgefield Board of Education.
Jacobs has served on the Ridgefield Board of Education for over five years, including two years as president. During his tenure, he successfully guided the district through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Under his leadership, Ridgefield replaced outdated trailers with modern modular buildings at a cost of $2 million, all without increasing the taxpayer burden. The district received recognition from the New Jersey Department of Education, with its Middle School ranking in the top 30% and its High School ranked #137 in the state.
Since 2023, Jacobs has chaired the Operations, Finance, and Legislative Committees, playing a crucial role in negotiations and the search for a new Superintendent. As President of the Bergen County School Boards Association, he established an Advocacy Committee aimed at securing sustainable funding for school-based mentoring programs, which led to proposed legislation for a $1 million pilot program.
Jacobs has extensive experience in education advocacy. He represented Bergen County on the New Jersey School Boards Association Board of Directors and contributed to strategic planning and leadership selection efforts. He has also earned the designation of “Certified Board Leader” from the NJSBA Board Member Academy.
Additionally, Jacobs served as a member of the International Board of Advisors for the Wheelchair Foundation, where he helped secure $5 million in federal funding for global wheelchair transportation.
