The NJSBA Board of Directors met in-person and virtually on Friday, May 2, 2025.  President Cortellino presided over the meeting from the Association’s headquarters in Trenton, where she was joined by Immediate Past President LeFebvre, and Vice Presidents Fitzgerald, Connors, Jackson, and Executive Director Dr. Timothy J. Purnell. 

The Board of Directors approved the following items: 

  • Open session minutes of the March 28 Board of Directors meeting. 
  • Legislative Committee appointments. 

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. Purnell addressed NJSBA activities, and the progress the Association has made in helping school districts meet challenges by providing them with essential training, advocacy, and direct service.  

  • Spring Training Programs
    • NJSBA’s “Virtual Spring Conference: Fulfilling the Promise of Public Education’’ will be held on Friday, May 30 and will offer concurrent training sessions featuring the most requested topics and popular sessions from Workshop 2024. 
    • NJSBA is also introducing a brand-new event, the inaugural “AI Conference: Preparing for Today and Tomorrow,” scheduled for Friday, June 6 at the Conference Center at Mercer. The conference will explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and its increasing relevance to education.
    • The Spring School Law Forum will take place on Thursday, June 26 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Monroe Township. 
  • Special Education Week The winners of the Innovations in Special Education Awards were notified. This year, three programs were recognized for helping special education students achieve their full potential. The honorees included two programs from public school districts and one private school. The honorees and programs were:
    • Lebanon Township – “Caught Being Kind”
    • South Bergen Jointure Commission – “Yoga and Mindfulness Program” 
    • The Center for Education (Lakewood) – “Agricultural Training Program”
  • Workshop 2025
    • NJSBA announced the keynote speaker for Workshop 2025. World champion quarterback, accomplished broadcaster, and successful entrepreneur Joe Theismann will be taking the stage on Wednesday, October 22 in the Keynote Theater at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Joe is the former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Most recently, he spent the last two decades working for ESPN and the NFL Network as an NFL analyst. 
    • Dr. Purnell reported that there is incredible momentum building for Workshop 2025, evidenced by a 59% increase in registrations as compared to this time last year. Exhibit sales are also very strong with nearly 70% of the exhibit floor already sold. NJSBA was recently recognized as one of Trade Show Executive Magazine’s “Next Fastest 50” for being one of the top 100 shows for exhibitor growth.
  • Executive Director’s Goals Dr. Purnell provided the Board of Directors with an update on his three 2024-2025 goals that he set for himself, and the Association, revolving around content, connection, and advocacy, and he provided the Board with his new goals for 2025-2026:
    • Content – Revamp New Board Member Orientation Governance 1 online curricula. 
    • Connection – Examine the NJSBA Urban Boards Committee to ensure that it is operating to best serve its members. 
    • Advocacy – Survey effectiveness and evaluate quarterly NJSBA Capitol Watch newsletter. 

Recognition of Retiring Members 

The Board of Directors recognized retiring Immediate Past President Irene LeFebvre for her years of unwavering commitment and leadership. Irene has served as NJSBA president, Special Education Committee chairperson, Boonton Town BOE president and County Association Leadership (CAL) officer. Irene also served more than  two decades as a dedicated group leader and trainer, and her contributions will have a lasting impact on the New Jersey School Boards Association and the districts it serves. 

The board recognized retiring Vice President for County Activities Barry Fitzgerald, who was also a member of the Lenape Regional Board of Education for years. He was thanked for his service to the NJSBA and the students of New Jersey.

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 and legislation. 

Information items included Association financials, legal case summary, Executive Director’s 2025-2026 Goals, 2025-2026 governance calendar, Special Education Week Proclamation, and written reports from officers.