Small group leaders, left to right: Mike McClure, NJSBA immediate past president; Irene LeFebvre, NJSBA president; Michelle Kennedy, NJSBA field service representative; Sheli Dansky, River Edge board member; Mark Bonjavanni, former member, Howell Township board; Eileen Miller, Woodstown-Pilesgrove board; Michael Bertram, president, Morris Hills board; Jean Trujillo, Hillsborough board; Dan Sinclair, former NJSBA president; Sharon Scheuler, Middlesex Borough board.
Nearly 100 new school board members attended the New Jersey School Boards Association’s second 2023 Weekend New Board Member Orientation from Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12.
The small group breakout sessions led by veteran board members are one of the most popular features of this program. These sessions provide an opportunity for new board members to take a deep dive into the subjects raised in general sessions, ask questions, participate in hands-on activities and build a network of trusted colleagues.
The program was held at the Crowne Plaza Princeton Conference Center and covered topics including the School Ethics Act, board governance, student achievement, policy, school finance and the Open Public Meetings Act. The Saturday evening agenda included breakout rooms staffed by NJSBA experts in school law, public relations and social media, among other topics, where board members could ask questions. The program culminated on Sunday in a mock board meeting led by veteran board members.
The Weekend New Board Member Orientation, which was sponsored by the New Jersey Schools Insurance Group through its support of the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey, was provided at no cost to local boards and their members.