February 27, 2026 was the deadline for candidates to submit applications to the NJSBA Nominating Committee for the balance of the 2025-27 unexpired term of Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions.  Pursuant to Governance and Operations File Code 8204, the Nominating Committee will present a candidate for election at the Association’s Biannual Meeting on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

That same policy (GO/8204), directs that all applicants seeking nomination as an officer by the Nominating Committee shall have their name, school district/county and the position sought announced in School Board Notes following the deadline for submission of nominations.

In accordance with the above policy, members should be advised that as of the above deadline, NJSBA received five (5) applications from the following local school board members:

Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions

  • Charles Caraballo, Bloomingdale Board of Education, Passaic County
  • Richard Casey, Ocean Gate Board of Education, Ocean County
  • Jessica DeCicco, Washington Township Board of Education, Morris County
  • Julie Kozempel, Washington Township Board of Education, Gloucester County
  • Barry Fitzgerald, Lenape Regional High School Board of Education, Burlington County

Nomination by Petition 

NJSBA bylaws also provide for candidates to be nominated by petition, signed by at least ten (10) members from at least five (5) different district boards of education and filed with the Executive Director.  No candidate may be nominated unless they have previously served one full term as a board member prior to their election to office. In addition, candidates must have qualified for and received the Certified Board Member (CBM) qualification as set forth in NJSBA’s Governance and Operations Manual. Beginning April 1, petitions may be obtained by visiting NJSBA’s website (www.njsba.org).  Petitions may not be circulated prior to April 1 and must be received by the Executive Director no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026.

Signatures need not all appear upon a single petition and any number of petitions may be filed on behalf of a candidate, but no petition shall contain the endorsement of more than one candidate.

Nominations by petition may be sent via the United States Postal Service, commercial delivery services with confirmation of delivery, or via email. Electronic delivery of petitions must be followed by an email to the General Counsel’s office, generalcounsel@njsba.org, confirming mail submission.

Physical Submission

By United States Postal Service (USPS) mail:

TO:                Irene LeFebvre, CHAIR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

ATTN:           Lauren Liu

ADDRESS:    NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

                        Nominating Committee

                        P.O. Box 7100

                        Ewing, New Jersey 08628

By commercial delivery service:

TO:                Irene LeFebvre, CHAIR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

ATTN:           Lauren Liu

ADDRESS:    NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Nominating Committee

                        555 Grand Ave #7100

                        Ewing, New Jersey 08628

Digital Submission

Email petitions may be addressed to the General Counsel office at generalcounsel@njsba.org. Electronic petitions attached to the email must be in PDF format with all supporting documents merged and compiled under the original petition form. The file name should include the date of petition, office applied for, and first and last name, and must include the following subject line, “Vice-President Legislation/Resolutions Petition – [Petitioner Name].

All petitions must be received at NJSBA Headquarters by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The written consent of the candidate for nomination by petition must also be filed with the Executive Director by the above deadline.

Information with Petition

 When submitting nominations by petition, candidates should include a color or black-and-white head-and-shoulders photo, and a resume that includes a statement (200 words maximum) explaining why they are seeking the position.

Resumes should contain information under the following headings in the following order:  Local Board Activities; County Activities; NJSBA Activities; Education; and Employment/Community Activities.

(A sample resume may be obtained from Lauren Liu by calling 1 (888) 886-5722, ext. 5250.)

A report of all candidates by petition will be made no later than Tuesday, April 21, 2026.  The report will appear in School Board Notes and on NJSBA’s website.

Nominating Committee 

Members of the 2025-27 Nominating Committee:

  • Chair: Irene LeFebvre, Boonton Town Board of Education, Morris County
  • Immediate Past President: Karen Cortellino, M.D., Montville Township Board of Education, Morris County
  • Ex-Officio: Michael Jacobs, NJSBA President, Ridgefield Board of Education, Bergen County
  • Diane Morris, Mine Hill Board of Education, Morris County
  • Michael Sprague, Norwood Board of Education, Bergen County
  • Victoria Pakala, Brick Township Board of Education, Ocean County
  • Marsha Hershman, Lindenwold Board of Education, Camden County
  • Jennifer Knittel, Washington Township Board of Education, Warren County
  • Dr. Courtney Washington, Roselle Board of Education, Union County
  • Donna Iacone, Cinnaminson Board of Education, Burlington County
  • Patrick Ireland, Egg Harbor Township Board of Education, Atlantic County
  • Raymond Morris, Newton Board of Education, Sussex County
  • Alan Paris, Clifton Board of Education, Passaic County
  • Jo Ann Groeger, Lawrence Township Board of Education, Mercer County
  • Jacqueline McAlister, Ocean City Board of Education, Cape May County