The New Jersey School Boards Association held its “GPS for Visionary Leadership” conference on May 3 through May 5. The conference was designed to provide advanced training for board presidents and those who aspire to board leadership positions.

Topics covered included building a board team, creating meetings focused on student achievement, winning community support, and other areas vital to effective governance. The weekend also featured hands-on small group sessions, which were led by seasoned school board members who serve as trainers and share their expertise.

The weekend was free to local boards of education, courtesy of a grant from the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey, which received funding from Dell EMC and Microsoft for the weekend.

Group leaders included, from left to right: Sharon Schueler, Middlesex Borough Board of Education; Dan Sinclair, NJSBA president, Lakeland Regional; Sheli Dansky, River Edge; Irene LeFebvre, Boonton Town; Kathleen Koop, Washington Township (Morris); Mark Bonjavanni, Howell; Kevin Ciak, Sayreville; Ginny Murphy, Washington Township (Gloucester); Eileen Miller, Woodstown-Pilesgrove; and Dominick Miletta, Pittsgrove Township.
Dan Sinclair, NJSBA president
The conference attendees met in small groups for discussion and hands-on exercises. Front row, left to right: Jessica Ingrassia, Watchung; Michele Ricci, Glassboro; Dahiana Grisales, Town of Dover; and Bethany Summers, North Warren Regional
Back row, left to right: Peter Hughes, Kinnelon; Peter Wendrychowicz, Mahwah Township; Lynn Anderson, Plainfield; Kevin Ciak, Sayreville, small group leader; June Cade, Hamburg; Mattia Scharfstein, Stanhope; and Kelly Mitchell, Vernon Township
Caption: Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director, addressed the board-superintendent relationship.