On March 21, 2026, pursuant to Article VII, §5 of the Association bylaws, the NJSBA Nominating Committee met to interview candidates to fill the vacancy for the above-referenced unexpired term in the office of Vice President for Legislation and Resolutions. The office was vacated on January 6 of this year, and the unexpired term will expire at the close of the May 2027 Delegate Assembly. Five (5) applications were received by the filing deadline of February 27, 2026.

The Committee discussed and deliberated over all five candidates. After deliberation, the Committee submits this report naming the following candidate to fill the unexpired term of the office of Vice President for Legislation and Resolutions. The vacancy will be voted upon at the Delegate Assembly meeting scheduled for May 16 of this year.

The Nominating Committee submits the following candidate to serve the balance of the 2025-27 term of office:

Vice President for Legislation and Resolutions

Charles Caraballo, Bloomingdale Board of Education, Passaic County

Applications were also received by:

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

Additional Information for Filling Officer Positions According to NJSBAbylaws, candidates for the above-referenced unexpired term may also be nominated by petition, signed by at least ten (10) members from at least five (5) different boards of education, filed with the NJSBAExecutive Director, and received no later than Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

No candidate may be nominated unless they have previously served one full term as a board member prior to their election to office. The signatures need not all appear on 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. 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. A report of all candidates nominated by petition shall be submitted in advance of the meeting to the district boards of education.

Nominations by petition should be sent via Federal Express or registered/return receipt requested. The written consent of the candidate for nomination by petition must be filed with the executive director within the same time limit. Petitions may also be emailed to the Nominating Committee by emailing Lauren Liu, Executive Assistant to the General Counsel/Legal Researcher, generalcounsel@njsba.org, with the subject line: Petition for Vice President for Legislation and Resolutions. Petitions must be received by Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

When submitting nominations by petition, it would enhance the election process if the candidate would include a “head and shoulders” photo and resume, including a 200-word statement explaining why they are seeking the position. Resumes should contain information under the following headings: local board activities, county activities, NJSBAactivities, education, and employment/community activities. A sample may be obtained from Lauren Liu in the Executive Office at lliu@njsba.org or (609) 278-5250. A report of all candidates nominated by petition shall be submitted in advance of the Annual Meeting to the district boards of education.

Nominating Committee Members

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

NJSBA STAFF

• Carl Tanksley, Jr., Esq., General Counsel

• Lauren Liu, Executive Assistant to the General Counsel / Legal Researcher