At its July meeting, the State Board discussed and took action on the following items:
Officer Elections—The State Board of Education elected Kathy Goldenberg as president and Dr. Nedd Johnson as vice-president. Ms. Goldenberg is a former board of education member who served for 10 years in Moorestown, Burlington County, until she was appointed to the State Board in 2017. She served as vice president of the State Board in 2018-2019 and has served as president since 2019. Dr. Johnson is a former Pittsgrove Board of Education, Salem County, member who has served as vice-president of the State Board since 2024.
State Operated District of Camden—The State Board appointed Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington as the Acting State Superintendent of the Camden City School District. Dr. Coe-Brockington earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration from Widener University, along with a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Cheyney University and a Master of Science (Reading Specialist PK-12) from Saint Joseph’s University. Dr. Coe-Brockington has more than 30 years of experience working at all levels of the Camden City School District, having served as a teacher, Supervisor of Language Arts, Acting Assistant Superintendent, and most recently as Principal of Creative Arts High School – a position she has held since the school’s inception in 1999.
Updated PRAXIS tests and revised qualifying scores—The State Board of Education approved revisions to the PRAXIS qualifying scores and tests for the following subject areas: Technology and Engineering Education, Family and Consumer Science and Social Studies. The revised cutoff scores are as follows:
- Technology and Engineering Education 157
- Family and Consumer Science 151
- Social Studies 153
The new qualifying scores become effective September 1, 2025.
Civic Events—The State Board approved regulations providing guidance to districts on the recent law concerning excused absences for civic events. At NJSBA’s urging, the Department of Education clarified that students get one excused absence for qualifying civic events per school year. Additionally, the Department clarified that local districts have discretion to allow students to participate in several civic events that total one day in session per school year, if allowed by the district board of education policy.
Student Transportation—At the State Board public testimony session, the NJSBA testified about its concerns regarding proposed amendments to the school transportation regulations. The regulations effectuate law combatting the bus driver shortage in NJ. In its testimony, the NJSBA raised concerns about staffing requirements. Specifically, the NJSBA was concerned that the requirements for additional background checks were duplicative of those already in place for existing staff. The NJSBA also raised concerns about the cost to districts for these additional background checks, among other concerns.
