The NJSBA Board of Directors met in-person and virtually on Friday, March 28, 2025. President Cortellino presided over the meeting from the Association’s headquarters in Trenton, joined by Immediate Past President LeFebvre and Vice Presidents Fitzgerald and Connors. Executive Director Dr. Timothy J. Purnell provided his report to the board from headquarters.

The Board of Directors approved the following items:

  • Award of a contract to AEX Convention Services of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey to serve as the general services contractor for Workshop 2025 and 2026
  • Award of a contract to Map Your Show of Cincinnati, Ohio to serve as the event manager for Workshop 2025 and 2026
  • The open session minutes of the Jan. 31, 2025, Board of Directors meeting
  • Legislative Committee appointments
  • Resolution Subcommittee appointments

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. 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’s One-Day Conferences

NJSBA’s second annual Women’s Leadership Conference was held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Mercer County Community College. The event was a huge success. There were over 200 attendees and sponsorships sold out. The Association is in talks with larger venues for next year’s third annual conference.

NJSBA presented its inaugural Equity Expo on Friday, Apr. 11, 2025, also at Mercer County Community College. The program featured numerous sessions focused on creating and sustaining equity in New Jersey schools. The keynote address was provided by LeDerick Horne, co-founder and chair of All In for Inclusive Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming schools into spaces where every student belongs. The event introduced the Equity in Education Leadership Award winners in two categories — the Program Category, honoring a district’s initiative, and the Individual Category, recognizing an individual who has demonstrated exemplary work in advancing equity.

NJSBA Officers on Capitol Hill

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the New Jersey School Boards Association’s officers, executive director and CEO and governmental relations staff visited Washington, D.C., to advocate before the state’s congressional delegation. By the end of the day, the NJSBA’s officers and staff met with members and policy advisers from eight offices.

Workshop 2025

Workshop 2025 is taking place from Oct. 20 through 23 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The theme for this year is “Your Ticket to Big Ideas and Bright Futures.” The Workshop website, registration, and housing opened to the public on April 1. Sponsorship sales through the First Right of Renewal are ongoing and exhibit floor booth and sponsorship opportunities opened to the public on April 1 as well. The call for program proposals closed on April 11. The call for student performance proposals is open through April 18.

New features for this year’s conference include dedicated exhibit floor time and food trucks.

A Call for Volunteers

An email was sent by Dr. Cortellino inviting members to get involved with NJSBA at a higher level by joining an NJSBA committee. The leaders of the Association recognize that to be at our best, board members with different backgrounds and viewpoints are needed, including members from urban, suburban and rural areas from throughout the state. When selecting who serves on a committee, the Association considers a variety of factors, including an applicant’s area of expertise, availability, ethics and their ability to communicate with others. Decisions on who will serve on the respective committees are made at the end of each calendar year for the subsequent year. Those interested in joining a committee can fill out the member volunteer application on the NJSBA website.

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.

Information items included Association financials, a legal case summary, and written reports from officers.