Approximately 80 newly elected and appointed school board members attended the second NJSBA New Board Member orientation weekend held this year. The March 10-13 program took place at the Henry Chauncey Conference Center. It is funded by a grant from ETS to the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey.
Dr. Robert L. Jarvis (at right) of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education spoke on “Building Partnerships to Support Excellence Through Equity.” He was introduced by NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, left. Jarvis is the director of K-12 Outreach and Equity Leadership Initiatives at the Penn Center for Educational Leadership.At the heart of the Orientation program are the group leaders — seasoned school board members, who serve as trainers and share their expertise with their new colleagues. Pictured, L to R, are Sheli Dansky, River Edge Board of Education (New Jersey’s 2016 Board Member of the Year); Rona McNabola, Glen Rock; Mary Walter, Manchester Township; Kevin Ciak, Sayreville (incoming president of the National School Boards Association); Eileen Miller, Woodstown-Pilesgrove; Irene LeFebvre, Boonton Town; Christine Oppegaard, Neptune City; and Daniel T. Sinclair, Lakeland Regional, NJSBA Vice President for County Activities.Group leader Rona McNabola guides a small group in planning an excercise on student achievement and data-informed decision making.