Monmouth County School Boards Association Honors Local School Trustees

MONMOUTH COUNTY – January marked School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey, and the MonmouthCounty School Boards Association (MCSBA) commendsthe dedication and effort of the nearly 450 local school trustees in dozens of school districts throughout the county.

“I am pleased to highlight and recognize that January 2023 is School Board Appreciation Month. Local school boards in New Jersey oversee their communities’ educational programs and collaborate to set goals for our children’s education and learning, all while representing parents and the members of the community,” says Paul Christopher, president of the MCSBA, who is also a board of education member for Shore Regional High School District.

Since the first School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey in 2002, the State Board of Education has approved resolutions yearly to honor the work done by local school board members. At the January 11 monthlymeeting, state school board members commended “the efforts of local Boards of Education … (that have) built the foundation of success that has led New Jersey’s status as a leader in student achievement.”

“School Board Recognition Month was designed to thank current and former school board members for their dedication on behalf of, and service to, their communities,” said Irene LeFebvre, New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) president.

New Jersey’s local school boards serve as thecommunity’s voice in working with chief school administrators in setting goals for student education. “With more than 5,000 men and women serving on the state’s local boards of education, school board members constitute the largest group of public officials in New Jersey,” says Al Miller, NJSBA Board of Directors Delegate for Monmouth County and board president at Howell Township Board of Education.

When the county association meets, the exchange of ideas serves as a catalyst to expedite and initiate action. “We have 54 school districts in Monmouth County and we meet semi-monthly – in person and virtually – to discuss current education initiatives, legislation and regulations affecting public schools. The meetings enable board members to stay connected and work together to advance the achievement of all public school students in Monmouth County,” says MaryRose Malley, MCSBA vice presidentwho also serves on the Howell school board.

“We’re working hard for kids and staff in our districts every day,” says Alix Hayes, MCS-

BA Vice President of Legislation and board member at the Township of Ocean Board of Education. “I encourage all stakeholders – parents and any community member – to attend board of education meetings whenever possible to stay in-the-know. Engaged parents enrich school board meetings!”

“School board members devote countless volunteer hours to their communities and public education. Please take the time to acknowledge the hours devoted by local school board members who serve their community in the best interest of students, parents, and community members,” adds Christopher.