Congratulations to Linda L. Bond-Nelson, New Jersey Board of Education Member of the Year!  In recognition of her service, leadership and contributions to education, New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) honored Linda L. Bond-Nelson with the New Jersey Board of Education Member of the Year Award.

Given annually, the award honors an individual board member who makes significant contributions; exemplifies leadership in the field of education with a strong commitment to the children of New Jersey; demonstrates a strong commitment to his/her personal and professional development as a board member; and shows active involvement in school governance at the local, county and state levels.Nominees for the award must be currently serving as a member of a local board of education. In addition, they must have served a minimum of five years on his/her local board of education; achieved NJSBA Certificated Boardsmanship level; demonstrated leadership, service and contribution to education at the local, county and state levels.

Serving as member, vice president, or president of the North Plainfield Board of Education since 1992, Ms. Bond-Nelson has provided outstanding leadership to, and made an impact on, the Board as well as the children, district, and community. As a Board member in North Plainfield for eighteen (18) years, Ms. Bond-Nelson has served as either president or vice president for seventeen (17) of those years -- president for eight and vice president for nine. 

“Having become Assistant Superintendent shortly after Ms. Bond-Nelson began in 1992 and superintendent in 1995, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with her.  She has been a cheerleader and a partner -- careful to never overstep her bounds as Board president or member, yet persistent in stressing the importance of strategic planning, goal setting, fiscally sound budgets (just passed three in a row), accountability to all constituents, and Board policy.  In fact, during her terms, the Board Policy Manual has been revamped so that it is not only in compliance with statute and code but in a user-friendly format,” remarked Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, Superintendent.

Nominations for the award were reviewed by the current NJSBA officers to ensure that all criteria and eligibility requirements were met and forwarded to the officers of another state school boards association. These officers reviewed the nominations, selected the winner of the New Jersey award and forwarded their selection to the NJSBA President. 

“Congratulations! In making their decision, the judges recognized your dedication, leadership and vision as a local school board member,” stated Marie S, Bilik, Executive Director, in a letter to Ms. Bond-Nelson.

Ms. Bond-Nelson will be presented with a plaque conveying the honor; presented with a New Jersey Board of Education Member of the Year pin; recognized at the NJSBA Delegate Assembly on November 20; recognized with a press release sent to state newspapers and to his/her local newspaper; recognized in School Board Notes; recognized by her local Board of Education with an appropriate letter from the President and Executive Director of NJSBA; listed on a permanent New Jersey Board of Education Member of the Year plaque displayed at NJSBA headquarter; and given a ribbon annually with his/her Workshop badge indicating that she is a Board Member of the Year Awardee.

“The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) established the Board Member of the Year program in 2005 to recognize the contributions made by school board members to improve public education in their communities.  This year, we received many nominations on behalf of highly qualified school board members throughout the state,” noted Ms. Bilik.