In 2022, the Morris County School Boards Association established the Irene M. LeFebvre Excellence in Boardsmanship Award. This award is named in honor of Irene M. LeFebvre, a long-serving member of the Morris County Board of Education, a member of the Morris County School Boards Association Executive Committee, and, at the time, the sitting president of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).
The purpose of the award is to recognize a current member of a board of education in Morris County who exemplifies LeFebvre’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to the children of their town and the county. An impartial committee, comprised of board members from outside Morris County, reviews the nominations each year to select the recipient who best embodies LeFebvre’s values. Nominees must demonstrate clear evidence of leadership in their district, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
The recipient of the 2025 Irene M. LeFebvre Excellence in Boardsmanship Award is Katie Bartnick, the vice president of the Mine Hill Township District Board of Education.
Katie Bartnick has been a dedicated member of the Mine Hill Board of Education for ten years, currently serving as Vice President. She acts as the liaison to the Dover Board of Education, and serves as an Alternate Board Member for the Educational Services Commission (ESC), reflecting her commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. Bartnick represents Mine Hill at both county and state levels through the Morris County School Boards Association (MCSBA) and the NJSBA Delegate Assembly, where she advocates for district needs and engages in policy discussions.
Her leadership has been crucial in promoting academic excellence, student support, and fiscal responsibility; as a result, there has been no administrative turnover since 2015. Under her guidance, the district successfully passed a $5 million bond referendum for facility upgrades and received several accolades, including NJDOE Lighthouse District status and Sustainable Jersey Silver Level certification.
Additionally, Bartnick played a key role in the district’s achievement of NJSBA Board Certification and the prestigious Carole E. Larsen Master Board Certification, highlighting her commitment to excellence in governance.
