South Brunswick Board of Education Honored During Recognition Month

Staff and students of the South Brunswick School District honored the service of Board of Education members as part of Board of Education Recognition Month in New Jersey.

During Monday's meeting, Superintendent Gary McCartney praised the board members for volunteering to operate a $140 million corporation by sacrificing time with their families to attend meetings, sitting on numerous committees, and attending mandatory training sessions.

"The importance of this task can never be overstated," Dr. McCartney said.

In addition to designing goals, hiring staff and setting accountability and responsibility standards, Dr. McCartney praised the amount of work board members put in to present the school budget each year.

"I can't think of a more important volunteer job anywhere," he said. "Nothing is as important as educating students."

Board members were also honored by students from each elementary school in South Brunswick, who presented them with framed "wordle" pictures, which are computer generated word maps.

Both Crossroads Middle School principals Mark Daniels and Raymond Tucholski praised the work of board members for their service and vision, which they said act as a "cornerstone" for the district.

"Even in times of economic trouble you still make decisions that benefit our school and make them happy learning environments," said Crossroads South Middle School Student Council President Sofia Balsamo during the meeting.

Students from the award winning South Brunswick High School Technological Student Association offered their thanks and displayed their designs, which were ranked first in the state Architectural Model competition.

Board members thanked the staff and students for their kind words before emphasizing the importance of volunteering.

"We serve here because we believe for a community to thrive its members must take part in civic responsibility," Board of Education President Stephen Parker said. "We serve on this board because we believe in the value of education and recognize the importance of preparing our students to be the future."