Dr. Lloyd J. Newbaker Jr. of Delaware Township, died July 18 at his home, surrounded by family, at the age of 87. He was executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association from 1978-1985.
During his tenure as the Association’s executive director, NJSBA expanded its services to boards of education in policy, labor relations, amicus intervention in legal cases of statewide impact, and other areas. The Association also spearheaded legislation that enabled school boards to participate in joint insurance funds. The result was the now-independent New Jersey Schools Insurance Group.
Newbaker also served as president of the National School Boards Executive Directors Association, and served on the NSBA Board of Directors.
“Lloyd Newbaker was highly regarded in New Jersey’s education community and among school boards associations nationwide,” commented NJSBA’s current executive director, Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod. “I knew Lloyd and found him to be a true leader with a strong moral compass.”
A lifelong educator, Newbaker began his career as a teacher in Abington Township, Pa., and later served as a school principal in Pen Argyle, Pa., as well as in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District in Mercer County, where he was the first principal at the Bear Tavern Elementary School.
He was assistant superintendent of schools in Northampton County, PA, and superintendent in Rockaway Township in Morris County before joining NJSBA’s field services staff in 1974. He was director of the field services department and deputy executive director before being named NJSBA executive director in 1978.
After leaving NJSBA in 1985, Newbaker became special assistant to Commissioner of Education Saul Cooperman and assistant commissioner of vocational education. After retirement, he worked as an educational consultant.
In retirement, he and his wife operated a farm in Hunterdon County, where they gardened, raised sheep, adopted burros from the Grand Canyon and occasionally raised cattle. They enjoyed domestic and international travel, and looked forward to spending winter months in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara J. Bongiorno Newbaker; a daughter Barbara Lynne Newbaker; son Kenneth Newbaker and his wife Lori Richards; and daughter Leigh Smith and her husband Craig, as well as two grandsons, a brother and a niece and nephew.
In 2014, when the New Jersey School Boards Association celebrated its 100th anniversary, Lloyd Newbaker and several former executive directors provided reminiscences and greetings for a special issue of School Leader magazine.
In the article, Newbaker praised the NJSBA staff, Association leadership and the state’s local school board members for their contributions. “It is reassuring that the modern NJSBA is competent to face and deal with current New Jersey education issues,” he wrote. “I like what I see happening at NJSBA and encourage the organization and staff to do all it can to continue delivering a high level of service to local boards of education and board members.”
A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 27 in Lambertville. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Fisherman’s Mark, 37 S. Main St. Lambertville, NJ 08530.