WTPS - Board of Education

Pictured front row left to right: Superintendent of Schools Bob Goldschmidt, Paul Marino, Steve Altamuro (resigned), Ginny Murphy, Megan Watson. Back row left to right: Jim Murphy, Kurt Snyder, Solicitor Taylor Ruilova, Chet Nawoyski, Josh Aronovitch, Eileen Abbott.

Our Mission

The mission of the Washington Township Public Schools is to provide a safe educational environment for all students to attain the skills and knowledge specified in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards at all grade levels so as to ensure their full participation in our global society as responsible, self-directed, and civic-minded citizens.

Our Beliefs

Our District Goals

Goal One:
Ensure that all schools are conducive to optimal student development and achievement; this includes facilities that are clean, well-maintained, safe, secure, drug-free, and prepared for emergency management.

Goal Two:
Improve student academic performance at all levels district-wide as demonstrated on prescribed state and standardized tests including the NJASK 3-8, HSPA, PSAT, and SAT.

Goal Three:
Pursue community and corporate partnerships and promote community outreach so as to provide new or enhanced learning opportunities, foster civic-mindedness and responsibility, strengthen connections with the local and regional business community, as well as cultivate potential classroom resources and/or financial support.

Goal Four:
Provide high-quality, engaging, standards-based programming and instruction which optimize student development and achievement, use of instructional time, integration of technology, and effective use of the district’s human and financial resources, while meeting and/or exceeding federal, state, and local requirements so as to prepare students for higher education, productive and fulfilling careers, and active citizenship.

Goal Five:
Maintain ongoing, timely, and high-quality communication within the district and throughout the community utilizing appropriate media resources, so as to foster understanding of and support for the mission of the Washington Township Public Schools.

Our Board of Education

Nine elected residents of Washington Township comprise the District’s Board of Education. Each board member takes an oath of office requiring him/her to abide by a state-mandated Code of Ethics for School Board members. This code emphasizes the importance of making decisions with the educational welfare of children in mind. School board members are responsible for the oversight of schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of ability, race, creed, sex, or social standing. They uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the State Board of Education. While not responsible for the daily administration of schools, board members are responsible for policy making, planning, and appraisal. The school board selects and employs the Superintendent of Schools as the school district’s chief executive officer. To learn more about the important work of school boards, please visit the New Jersey School Board Association.

Board Meeting Schedule

Board of Education members serve on various district sub-committees and convene twice per month as a full board. Board work sessions are typically held on the third Monday of every month. Regular meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Both of these meetings begin at 8 p.m. in the Central BOE Room located in the district’s Eileen Abbott Central Administration Building (206 E. Holly Avenue, Sewell, NJ) and are open to the public. Executive session meetings typically begin at 7 p.m. prior to each of these meetings. Executive sessions are closed to the public. For a list of meeting dates, click here.

NOTICE: The March 2013 meeting of the Board of Education has been moved from March 26th to March 27th, starting at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.

Board Agendas

Board agendas are available at all public meetings and can also be accessed by clicking here.

Committee Assignments

Board Meeting Protocol

The Washington Township Board of Education encourages input from residents and invites public participation at both the work session and regular meeting. Meetings, discussions, and procedures are conducted in a structured format and with a professional decorum. Members of the community who are interested in addressing the Board of Education are invited to complete yellow information cards that are available at the entrance of the Board Room. Those addressing the Board are asked to refrain from topics of personal, legal and/or contractual matters relating to students or district employees and other matters that are confidential or sensitive in nature. School-level concerns should be addressed initially with the building principal. District-level concerns, and/or concerns which are not resolved at the building level should be directed to the Superintendent’s office.

Podcasts / Broadcasts of Board Meetings

Contacting the Board

Residents with inquiries or comments for the Board of Education beyond the public meeting forum are invited to email the Board at wtboeinquiry@wtps.org.

Becoming a Board Member

An individual who wishes to run for a position on the Washington Township Board of Education must meet the following qualifications as prescribed by State law: a) must be a citizen of the United States; b) must be a resident of Washington Township for at least one year immediately preceding election; c) must be able to read and write; d) must be registered to vote in the district and not disqualified from voting pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1; e) may not have been convicted of a crime or offense as listed in N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1; and f) cannot concurrently hold office as a mayor or member of the governing body of Washington Township.

Each member of the Board of Education, within thirty days of election or appointment to the Board shall undergo a criminal history background investigation including fingerprinting for the purpose of ensuring the member is not disqualified from Board membership due to a criminal conviction of a crime or offense listed in N.J.S.A. 18A: 12-1 et seq.

Those seeking candidacy for the Board of Education must obtain a “School Board Candidate Kit” from the Municipal Clerk of Washington Township, 523 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell, NJ. Published by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the School Board Candidate Kit includes a sample nominating petition as well as information about legal qualifications for school board candidacy and the role of the school board member. Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act, important dates in the school election process, and briefing sessions for school board candidates are also included in the Kit. The deadline for filing nominating petitions is typically in June.

School Board members are elected typically on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November to serve voluntarily and without compensation for a three-year term. If an elected member is unable to complete his or her term, the remaining members of the Board select a replacement in accordance with board policy to serve until the election in November.

School Board Elections / School Budget Vote

School Board elections coincide with the general election typically held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Washington Township residents vote at assigned polling places throughout the community on election day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For a list of poling locations, please visit www.twp.washington.nj.us , click on Township Services and then access the Clerk’s Office.

Board of Education Liaisons

The Board members listed below have been designated as liaisons for the individual schools through their presence at special school events, their advocacy for the school in general District matters and their knowledge of school programs and activities. This role, however, is not intended to substitute for the normal process of parents and community members contacting the school staff or administrators with questions or concerns about specific school, program or student matters.

Voter Registration

A resident wishing to vote in a school board election is required to become a registered voter with the State of New Jersey in the county in which he/she resides.

The registration deadline to vote is 21 days prior to Election Day. Residents also may apply in person at the Gloucester County Clerk’s office (1 N. Broad Street in Woodbury, NJ) until 3:00 p.m., the day before the election. The Gloucester County Board of Elections building is located at 550 Grove Road, West Deptford (click here for directions). Click here to access a New Jersey Voter Registration Application.

Mail-In / Absentee Ballots

Any registered New Jersey voter can vote by mail in any election for any reason. To receive your ballot by mail, complete the Application for Vote by Mail Ballot. The application must be received by the County Clerk 7 days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person with the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m., the day before the election.

For additional information on voting in New Jersey, please visit the New Jersey Department of State-Division of Elections at www.state.nj.us/state/elections.