School Board Notes

Speaking at an empty theater at the Trenton War Memorial Jan. 11, Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his fourth State of the State address, which highlighted investments in public schools.

The governor’s declaration in Executive Order No. 281 is meant to ensure that the state can respond to the continued threat of COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, announced last week he would retire effective July 1, 2022.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will not require New Jersey applicants for school bus driver licensing to take the “under-the-hood” portion of the exam, effective Jan. 7 through March 31, 2022, according to a Jan. 6 news release from...

In our new School Board Member spotlight feature, which we’re kicking off this month to celebrate Gov. Phil Murphy proclaiming January 2022 as School Board Recognition Month, Velante shares what he’s learned on his school board member journey, why he...

Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, thanked the New Jersey State Board of Education for recognizing the hard work and commitment of local boards of education.

At its January meeting, in addition to noting New Jersey School Board Recognition month, the State Board of Education heard updates and acted on numerous items.

Schools are eligible to receive a portion of the funds awarded if they have demonstrated to NJDOH that their program meets the minimum requirements outlined by the NJDOH communicable disease services screening testing guidance.

The tentative per diem tuition rates and the independent auditor’s certified tuition rates for each approved private school for students with disabilities were issued in a memo from the New Jersey Department of Education.

The Association will hold a multiday virtual course, which will be modeled on the 2021 Comprehensive New Board Member Orientation. The program will include the opportunity for participants to work in small group settings with veteran board members.

Richard Vartan, who has served on the East Rutherford Board of Education in Bergen County for 33 years, was honored with a plaque marking his long tenure at the board’s Jan. 4 meeting.

Debra Zoller, who served on the East Rutherford Board of Education in Bergen County for 20 years before leaving the board at the end of 2021, was honored with a plaque marking her 20 years of service at the board’s...

Danielle Prieto, a former member of the Millburn Board of Education in Essex County, died Jan. 8 in an out-of-state car crash. Her husband, Alfred, and her teenage son, Antonio, also died in the accident, according to the Millburn School...

Wayne B. Schiele, who devoted himself to teaching and coaching over a 51-year career and served on the Wharton Board of Education in Morris County for the past seven years, died Jan. 6.