Citing the meaningful contributions to public education and to the quality of life in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie has proclaimed January 2013 as School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey.

“New Jersey’s 4,800 local board of education members devote countless hours, with no remuneration, to the oversight of school district operations, including finances, policy, curriculum and staffing,” the governor said in his Jan. 3 proclamation. “As the policymaking bodies for local school districts, New Jersey’s local boards of education endeavor to meet the challenges facing public schools and to help students attain the education necessary to excel in college and in the workplace and to enable them to compete in a global economy.

“By making meaningful contributions to public education, the dedicated members of local school boards have greatly enhanced the quality of life in our State,” the governor’s proclamation said.

“The state’s local boards of education set the goals and provide oversight for the entire school district,” said John Bulina, president of the New Jersey School Boards Association. “The work of school boards has a direct impact on the classroom, and their hard work and dedication have helped make New Jersey’s public schools a national leader in student achievement.”

The New Jersey School Boards Association initiated the state’s first School Board Recognition Month in 2002 to honor the dedicated local school board members who oversee the education of the state’s nearly 1.4 million public school students.

NJSBA has posted a copy of Gov. Christie’s proclamation online, as well as information and resources for School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey.

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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 586 local boards of education and includes 68 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.