In accordance with New Jersey School Boards Association bylaws, a proposed slate of officers selected by the Nominating Committee will be presented to the delegates for their vote at the Delegate Assembly on Nov. 22, 2025.

The Nominating Committee selected the following school board members for election by the delegates to serve as NJSBA officers from 2025-2027:

  • President – Michael A. Jacobs, Ridgefield Board of Education (Bergen County)
  • Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions – Bernadette Dalesandro, Netcong Board of Education (Morris County)

According to guidelines set by the NJSBA board of directors, candidates for NJSBA officer positions are to receive publicity in School Board Notes. The information below is provided by the candidates.

Michael A. Jacobs, President

photo of Michael A. Jacobs
Michael A. Jacobs

Candidate’s Statement

Michael A. Jacobs is a distinguished New Jersey community leader, and businessman whose career bridges global enterprise and public education. A graduate of Queen’s College and a United States Navy veteran, Mr. Jacobs built an accomplished career in international trade and apparel manufacturing, serving as National Treasurer of the U.S./Mexico Chamber of Commerce. His leadership advanced cross-border commerce and earned recognition from the U.S., foreign governments and global organizations. Among his notable achievements, he secured the contract to produce the uniforms for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team—unofficially hailed as the best in the world at the Barcelona Games—and played a key humanitarian role following the September 11 attacks. As a member of the Wheelchair Foundation’s International Board of Advisors, he was instrumental in obtaining a five-million-dollar U.S. Congressional appropriation to expand global mobility initiatives.
 Drawing on decades of executive experience in strategy, finance, and crisis management, Mr. Jacobs has brought a results-driven, globally informed perspective to public education leadership. Since 2020, he has served as Trustee and former President of the Ridgefield Board of Education, guiding the district through the COVID-19 pandemic with steady fiscal and operational oversight. As President of the Bergen County School Boards Association, representing 76 districts and approximately 136,000 students, he has championed advocacy and innovation. During his presidency, BCSBA advocated for funding for school-based mentoring programs—efforts that have resulted in a one-million-dollar bill currently before both Senate and Assembly Education Committees. Jacobs also serves on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey School Boards Association, continuing his mission to strengthen schools and empower future leaders.

Local Board Activities

President, Ridgefield Board of Education (2020-2022)

  • Trustee (2023-Present)
  • Chairman: Finance/ Operations Committee (2023-current) 
  • Chairman: Legislative Committee (2023-current)
  • Chairman: Negotiations Committee (2024-current)
  • Member: Mayor & Council/BOE Committee (2024-current)
  • Guided the district through crisis operations, health mandates, and fiscal management during unprecedented uncertainty.
  • Prioritized transparency, teamwork, and academic continuity.
  • Strengthened community engagement and operational accountability.
  • Achieved QSAC “High Performing District” in consecutive years(2022-current)

County Activities

President, Bergen County School Boards Association (BCSBA) (2021-Present)

  • Leads one of New Jersey’s most active county education associations, representing 76 school districts
  • Set up the BCSBA Advocacy Committee, leading to advocacy for the Pantoliano-Depass School based Mentoring Pilot Program, now a $1,000,000 state appropriation bill (S-3236/ A-4488). BCSBA is the first county organization to establish a grassroots initiative.
  • Created a Bylaws Review Committee of attorneys and veteran trustees – approved unanimously
  • Reached 95%-member participation at NJSBA Workshop events (76 districts)
  • Expanded and institutionalized the county “Unsung Heroes Celebration”, drawing over 300 attendees annually.
  • Secured sponsorships from financial institutions and trade partners, establishing sustainable event funding.
  • Negotiated no-cost venues through partnerships with county leaders, including the Bergen Community College Ciccone Theatre
  • Honored with the 2025 Archie F. Hay Award for Leadership

New Jersey School Boards Association Activities

Member, Board of Directors -_New Jersey School Boards Association

  • County Association Leadership (CAL) Representative
  • Member, Strategic Planning Committee (2022-2024)
  • Member, Executive Director Search Committee (2022) (Dr. Timothy Purnell, 2022)
  • Member, Nominating Committee (2022-2024) (President Dr. Karen Cortellino)
  • Achieved the NJSBA Board Academy “Certified Board Leader” Certification

NJSBA Training/Certification

  • Certified Board Leader

Community Activities

  • Ridgefield Anti-Bullying Committee
    • Member (2025-Present)
  • Rotary International (Fort Lee Chapter)
    • Former Vice President
    • Chairman: Gift of Life Committee
  • Wheelchair Foundation
    • Member: International board of Advisors
  • Frequent lecturer and advocate on school-based mentoring, finance, and governance

Education

  • B.A. – City University of New York, 2008
  • A.A. – Queens College, 1972
  • United States Navy (1966-1972)

Bernadette Dalesandro, Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions

Bernadette Dalesandro
Bernadette Dalesandro

Candidate’s Statement

It is with profound humility and an unyielding sense of purpose that I accept this nomination for NJSBA Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions. I stand ready—my heart and experience aligned—to join the 2025-2027 leadership team and serve as a strong, determined, and resonant voice for every dedicated member across our state.

I am prepared to immerse myself fully: to represent our tireless advocates and to expertly chair both the critical Legislation Committee and the Resolutions Sub-Committee. My journey has taught me that true leadership is forged through genuine collaboration, active listening, and building a powerful consensus that crosses district lines.

My vision centers on three non-negotiable core values that define our mission: unlimited student success, innovative learning, and dynamic community engagement. If elected, I will tirelessly ensure that our legislative and resolutions efforts are not merely paperwork, but direct, impactful strategies that translate into tangible, life-changing differences for our students and schools.

My purpose is to build an unshakable unity within the NJSBA so that our collective, authoritative voice is heard powerfully and consistently in Trenton and throughout New Jersey. I am ready to lead, advocate, and use our combined, formidable strength to champion a brighter future for our students, schools, and communities.

Local Board Activities

Netcong Board of Education (Morris County): 2001 – Present (24 Years)

  • Board President (15 Years): (2007 – 2015 & 2017 – 2024).
    • Lead district to a successful passage of a referendum.Spearheaded initiative to bring free, all-day PK-3 and PK-4 to the district through grant funding.Transformed an under-utilized building into a showpiece housing kindergarten within current budget constraints.Established Board liaisons to the town council, PTA, and Educational Foundation.
    • Established a district safety and security committee.
  • Negotiation: Served as lead negotiator for the last five NEA (Netcong Education Association) contracts.
  • Committees: Served on and chaired every standing board committee; established several Ad Hoc Committees.

Lenape Valley Regional High School Board of Education (Sussex County): 1995 – 2004

  • Vice President.
  • Served on every standing board committee.
  • Served on one LVEA teacher’s contract negotiation team.

County Activities

Morris County School Boards Association (MCSBA)

  • County President (2 Terms): January 2021 – May 2025
    • Established the Awards and Recognition Committee, which has awarded nearly $65,000 in scholarships over four years.
    • Established the MCSBA’s Irene LeFebvre Excellence in Boardsmanship Award.
    • Lead successful upgrade of county bylaws.
    • Established Morris County’s Board President/Vice President Leadership meetings.
    • Improved fiscal accountability by moving meetings to highlight district schools; attendance has grown exponentially.
    • Set a standard for other county associations.
  • Immediate-Past President (May 2025 – Present).
  • County Vice President (2 Terms): January 2018 – January 2021.
  • MCSBA Board of Directors: Served several terms (2007 to Present).

Sussex County School Boards Association (SCSBA)

  • Former NJSBA’s Board of Directors Delegate for Sussex County.
  • Former Sussex County School Boards Association Board of Directors.

New Jersey School Boards Association Activities

  • NJSBA Board Member of the Year (2023-2024).
  • Sole NJSBA representative for the United States Youth Senate Program.
  • Former Morris County SBA Delegate and Alternate to the NJSBA Board of Directors.
  • Former NJSBA’s Board of Directors Delegate for Sussex County.

NJSBA Training/Certification

  • Certified Board Member (2011)
  • Master Board Member (2014)
  • Certified Board Leader (2019)

Community Activities

  • Awards: Rotarian of the Year (2024), Morris County Volunteer Award.
  • Service: Member of the Skylands Rotary, Member of Elks Lodge (Americanism Chair), Netcong Planning Board representative, PTA member, and leadership roles in youth sports (softball, basketball, football/cheer).

Education

  • BS, Springfield College
  • United States Marine Corps (1978 – 2006)