The New Jersey School Boards Association’s board of directors met in-person and virtually on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the NJSBA, presided over the meeting from the Association’s headquarters in Trenton. Immediate Past President Irene LeFebvre and Vice Presidents Barry Fitzgerald, Dr. Tom Connors, and Chanta L. Jackson also participated in the meeting from Association headquarters. Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, the Association’s executive director and CEO, delivered his report to the board from headquarters.
The board of directors approved the following items:
- NJSBA 2025-2026 budget
- Open session minutes of the Nov.15, 2024, board of directors meeting.
- Legislative Committee appointments.
- At-large appointments to the NJSBA 2024-2026 Nominating Committee.
Executive Director’s Report: Purnell addressed NJSBA activities and the progress made in enabling school districts to meet the challenges presented to them, ensuring that members continue to benefit from essential training, advocacy and direct service.
NJSBA 2025-2026 Budget: The board of directors unanimously approved the NJSBA 2025-2026 budget. This budget includes:
- A 1.5% overall increase in members’ dues. There will be a large degree of variability in the dues increase for each member, based primarily on the change in their local district’s operating budget.
- A continuing increase in contribution of non-dues revenues.
- No increase in budgeted headcount.
- Higher-than-inflation increases expected for certain noncontrollable expenses, such as health care costs, insurance and the employer’s contribution to the PERS retirement plan.
- Strong focus on staff development.
- Funding of $500,000 from the Association’s free balance, though NJSBA management anticipates that this is a budgetary technique and may not need to be utilized.
Capitol Watch: NJSBA debuted Capitol Watch, its brand new quarterly online newsletter. Capitol Watch provides critical updates on pending legislation that could significantly impact New Jersey schools, students and communities. The Governmental Relations team is currently tracking nearly 1,800 pieces of legislation at the State House and Capitol Watch provides concise summaries of pending bills, updates on their progress and information about NJSBA’s official positions in a single, easy-to-access source four times a year.
New Board Member Orientation Weekend: NJSBA held its first New Board Member Weekend Orientation program of the year. It also happened to be the first program that fully incorporated the changes made in the revamped Governance I training program. The second weekend orientation is scheduled to be held Feb. 21-23, 2025. Meanwhile, work continues on updating and revising the Governance II training.
New Associate Membership: NJSBA is beginning a new associate membership category, the Information Technology Association for district technology leaders. Members of this group will be able to attend NJSBA programs at member rates, will have quarterly meetings and training programs, receive continuing education credits for certain programs and more.
Spring Training Programs: Upcoming NJSBA spring programs include:
- 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference – Friday, March 31, 2025.
- School Public Relations Forum: “Communication, Collaboration and AI for a Stronger Future.” – Friday, April 4, 2025.
- Equity Expo – Friday, April 11, 2025.
The Equity in Education Leadership award will be introduced at the Equity Expo conference and will recognize individuals, schools or districts that have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing equity in education.
Career-Focused Learner Report: Late last spring, the Committee on Educational Opportunities for the Career-Focused Learner was formed to update NJSBA’s 2018 report on this subject. The committee met several times, heard presentations by representatives from the New Jersey Department of Labor, Sussex County Community College, the executive director of the New Jersey Council on County Vocational-Technical Schools, held a Workshop panel discussion on the topic and conducted extensive research.
The result is a 97-page report, “New Dimensions in Career and Technical Education,” which considers recent developments affecting enrollment, staffing, programming, facilities and funding, and offers 29 recommendations. The report also offers examples of effective school district programs and strategies.
“New Dimensions in Career and Technical Education” will be released shortly.
Recognition of Retiring and New Members

The following retiring members were recognized for their service to the NJSBA and the students of New Jersey: Linda Gilch, alternate for Camden County; Kathryn Weller-Demming, alternate for Essex County; Paul Breda, member for Morris County; and Jennifier Bacchione, member for Ocean County.
The following new members and alternates were introduced and were asked to take their oath of office: Kasey Dudley, Bloomfield Board of Education, alternate representing Essex County; and Joseph Daughtry, Montville Board of Education, alternate representing Morris County.
The board of directors also received reports from the president, vice president for county activities, vice president for finance, vice president for legislation/resolutions, and immediate past president, and detailed reports from NJSBA staff on advocacy, legislation and the NJSBA 2025-2026 budget.
Information items included Association Financials, Legal Case Summary, GO/8105R Associate Members, Schedule of NJSBA Holidays, School Board Recognition Month – State Board of Education Resolution, School Board Recognition Month – Governor’s Proclamation, and written reports from officers.