Blog Hiatus

I was unable to post to the blog site due to my attendance at this year’s New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and New Jersey Association of School Business Officials 2007 Annual Workshop & Exhibition. The three-day event was held at the end of last week in Atlantic City; it allows school board members, school superintendents, and school business administrators across the state to attend a variety of informative sessions on a variety of topics.

I was joined by four of our board members and our school business administrator. Each of us took in a variety of the sessions – there were many to choose from throughout the event.

I attended sessions on Maintaining Effective Facility Maintenance with Decreased Funding, The Second Stage of Reform for Schools – Where Do We Go from Here?, and Harassment-Free Hallways. In addition, there was a “Critical Issues Session – Redesigning and Reforming New Jersey’s High Schools” chaired by Lucille E. Davy, New Jersey Commissioner of Education. Another sessions had members of the State Board of Education presenting to those in attendance and fielding questions. Finally, daily keynote addresses allowed for those in attendance to hear from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Maryland’s First Woman Lieutenant Governor and the eldest child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. Also, on the second day, Jim Ellis, swim coach and subject of the film “Pride,” delivered the keynote speech at the general session.

These opportunities are important to bring about new thinking and allow for opportunities to share with colleagues. In addition, there are new requirements for school board members to attend to their own professional development; this annual workshop event also allows for these expectations to be met.