NJSBA Goes to Washington - New Jersey School Boards Association

Policy staff (seated, far right) from the office of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (CD-12) engaged in discussion with representatives of the Plainfield Public School District.
Pictured at the front table: Education policy staff from the office of Congressman Frank Pallone (CD-06) engaged in conversation with Jennifer Sevilla, a member of the New Brunswick Board of Education.
Attendees meeting jointly with policy staff from the offices of Sen. Cory Booker and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (CD-5).
Congressman Thomas Kean Jr., (center) one of the newest members of New Jersey's congressional delegation, stopped by to hear about attendees’ educational policy priorities. Included in this photo are all of the New Jersey school district representatives who participated in the breakfast reception.
Seated at the table from left to right, Erica Jacho (a member of the Belleville Board of Education); two staff members from the office of Sen. Bob Menendez; Sarah Virgo (vice president of the Plainfield Board of Education); Maria Andrade (a trustee with Roseville Community Charter School) and Ronald Sanasac (Howell Township's school business administrator).
From left to right, policy staff from the office of Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., engaged in discussion with Sarah Virgo, board of education vice president; Dr. Elizabeth Filippatos, executive director of student services; and Hanae Wyatt, board president, from the Plainfield Board of Education along with Jesse Young, NJSBA legislative advocate.
Lorenzo Richardson, a trustee of the Jersey City Board of Education, engaged in a deep policy discussion with staff from the office of Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (CD-10).
Representatives from the Howell Township Board of Education meeting with a legislative assistant to Congressman Chris Smith (CD-4). Pictured from the Howell Township Public Schools: Al Miller, board president and member of the NJSBA Board of Directors; School Business Administrator Ronald Sanasac, and Assistant Superintendent Bruce Preston.
Congressman Donald Norcross, at left (CD-1), who delivered welcome remarks to breakfast attendees, alongside Wasim Muhammad, president of the Camden City School District Advisory Board.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (CD-11) delivered remarks to the entire group.

Last week, school leaders from across New Jersey traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a national advocacy conference. The first two days of the conference consisted of informational sessions on some of the most pressing issues facing public school districts. The final day was set aside as a day for attendees to meet with their congressional representatives and advocate for ways that our federal policy makers can support local boards of education and public school students.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, New Jersey School Boards Association staff coordinated a “Day on Capitol Hill” for New Jersey’s conference attendees to help facilitate discussions with the state’s federal lawmakers and their staff. In the morning, a congressional breakfast reception took place at the Rayburn House Office Building. Congressman Donald Norcross (CD-01) kicked off the event by delivering welcome remarks, highlighting various actions Congress has taken to assist public school districts during these challenging times, and discussing the importance of vocational education in today’s economy. Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (CD-11) and Congressman Thomas Kean Jr., (CD-07) also personally attended the event and engaged in robust discussions with board members and school administrators. Policy staff members from the following offices also participated to listen to attendees’ advocacy priorities and hear their stories about programs they have implemented to advance student achievement:

Congressman Chris Smith (CD-04).
Congressman Josh Gottheimer (CD-05).
Congressman Frank Pallone (CD-06).
Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (CD-09).
Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (CD-10).
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (CD-12).

In the afternoon, attendees made their way to the Senate Hart Office Building. There they met with key staff from the offices of both Sen. Bob Menendez and Sen. Cory Booker.

Advocacy Priorities

The Day on Capitol Hill provided an opportunity for NJSBA staff and school board members to advocate for various ways that Congress can support the work of local boards of education, including:

Fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Ensuring districts are equipped with the resources necessary to address learning loss and accelerate academic recovery.
Providing greater and sustained federal resources to expand access to mental health services and supports.
Implementing policies to help address staff shortages, such as loan forgiveness for teachers and principals.
Maximizing the impact of COVID-19 relief funds for school facility and infrastructure upgrades.