The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education was officially recognized for earning its NJSBA Board Certification during the Essex County School Boards Association meeting on May 14, 2026, at West Essex Regional High School.
Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative, presented the award to the board, celebrating their achievement as a high-functioning governance team. Board Certification (BC) is a significant milestone that honors a full board’s dedication to effective leadership, technical fluency, and continuous professional development.
A Team Effort in Excellence
The certification reflects the collective “invisible labor” of the entire board alongside the district’s administrative leadership.
The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education includes:
- President: William Meyer
- 1st Vice President: Elizabeth Callahan
- 2nd Vice President: Malini Nayar
- Board Members: Jeffrey Bennett, Deirdre Brown, Meredith Higgins, Bimal Kapadia, Shayna Sackett-Gable, and Paul Stephan.
The board was supported in achieving this milestone by Jason Bing, superintendent of schools, and Frank Ceurvels, interim business administrator/board secretary.
About NJSBA Board Certification
Board Certification through the New Jersey School Boards Association recognizes boards that have moved beyond the “big picture” and mastered the essential mechanics of governance. To earn this honor, the full board must complete a rigorous series of training sessions focused on:
- Ethics and Board Roles: Understanding the legal and ethical guardrails of leadership.
- Policy Development and Finance: Navigating complex 200-page audits and multi-million dollar budgets.
- Strategic Goal Setting: Establishing a “North Star” for the district’s long-term progress.
- Direct Impact on Student Achievement: Ensuring every policy decision is measured against its benefit to the student experience.
This recognition underscores the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education’s commitment to professionalized leadership. By treating their volunteer service with the precision of a technical masterclass, these local officials ensure the district remains focused on its primary mission: the success and well-being of every student.
View the full article written for South Orange-Maplewood School District at https://www.somsdk12.org/news/post/~board/headlines/post/2026-board-members-recognized.
S
