The Board of Education (BOE/Board) has a dual role: To represent the concerns of the citizens, taxpayers, and parents to the school administrators, and to represent the needs of the students and the school district to the citizens, taxpayers, and parents of the community. The Board of Education does not directly manage the school district or its employees; rather, it sets policy and goals and seeks to achieve them through the Superintendent of Schools, the only employee the Board directs or evaluates.

Transition to an Elected Board

Previously, Montclair was a Type I district wherein BOE members were appointed by the Mayor. In November 2021, Montclair changed to a Type II district in which BOE members are selected by voters during November elections. New members will assume their positions in January of the following year. Along with the change to a Type II district, the number of BOE members was increased to nine (from seven). During the transition to an elected board, the terms of existing members were adjusted to permit a smooth transition to an elected board of nine members, with three members elected each year to three-year terms. In December 2021, a sitting member of the BOE passed away, requiring the existing BOE to replace that position with a member whose term will expire in January 2023. An individual was selected to join the Board, bringing the number of BOE members to seven. More detailed information about the transition, the new election process, and the expiration dates of various terms can be found here. https://p19cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_889476/File/District/Board%20of%20Education/Board%20Reports/21-22/Transition%20to%20Type%20II%20with%20November%20Election.pdf

Board Functioning

Board members are volunteers and are not compensated for their service. They attend mandated, regular training about board functioning and responsibilities.

After newly appointed Board members are sworn in at the annual “Reorganization Meeting” in January, the Board chooses a President and Vice-President for the coming year and assigns Board members to committees (e.g., Finance and Facilities, Curriculum and Special Education, Communications, Policy, Negotiations). The Superintendent is a member of each committee.

The Board of Education holds regular meetings twice per month. The meeting agendas, resolutions and relevant documents can be found at montclair.k12.nj.us. The Board holds committee meetings and also meets in (confidential) executive session prior to the public portion of board meetings. The public is invited to attend meetings and make public comments on both agenda and non-agenda items. The Board takes action as a body by majority vote.

Central Office (CO) is the District Administration office at 22 Valley Road. District administration staff are employees of the Montclair Public Schools, not volunteers.

The Board of Education (BOE) does not operate the district on a day-to-day basis; that is the job of the superintendent, who is the district’s chief executive, with his or her support team in the Central Office and with the school principals and administrators. Rather, the BOE sets the policies, goals and objectives for the district — and it holds the superintendent responsible for implementing the policies and achieving the goals.

Given the respective roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education and the District Administration, it is generally recommended that parents/guardians work up the "chain of command" when they have a problem or concern with what's happening at their child's school. For instance, if a parent has a problem with a teacher, the parent should first address it with the teacher and, if the issue is not resolved, the parent should turn to the principal or supervisor, and then the superintendent. The school board should be the “court of last resort.” Most matters which do not have policy implications will generally be decided at the building level in collaboration with the superintendent's central office staff.

Under the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law, the BOE can only act as a body through votes taken at a public meeting, and may only convene as a Board at a public meeting, outside of specific topics like "personnel matters," "labor negotiations" or "security matters" that are enumerated under the law that the BOE may discuss in executive or "closed" session. Committees of the BOE (always consisting of no more than three members) may convene to receive and discuss information from District Administration, but those committees cannot act on behalf of the Board.

PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who supports the PTA mission and wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. Our PTAs are affiliated with the state and National Parent Teacher Association, whose mission it is to make every child’s potential a reality. Every Montclair School has a PTA with the exception of The Montclair High School (MHS). An Exploratory Committee comprised of stakeholders from across the district has started to form a PTA/PTSA (PTSA would include students) at MHS. If you are interested in learning more or joining please contact ptapres@montclairpta.org.  To join the PTA, visit your school’s PTA webpage which you can find in the drop down menu at the top of the PTAC website.

The Montclair Education Association (MEA) is the largest of the three labor unions that represent employees in the Montclair Public School District. The other two unions are the Montclair Principals Association (MPA) and the Montclair Head Custodians Association (MHCA). The MEA, which is the local chapter of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and National Education Association (NEA), represents approximately 90 percent of the district's employees, including teachers, counselors, child study team members, nurses, secretaries, custodians, information technology staff, security guards and paraprofessionals.

With support from the NJEA, the MEA represents its members' interests on myriad issues, including the negotiation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the School District, which is represented by the Board of Education's Negotiations Committee with support from outside Board counsel and the Superintendent. The CBA is typically re-negotiated and re-executed every three years, and establishes the salary guides as well as rules and expectations around employee work schedules, responsibilities and job conditions, disciplinary and grievance procedures, employee benefits, etc. Between negotiation cycles, the MEA also represents its members with respect to any disputes relating to the implementation of the CBA, including but not limited to any potential changes in job responsibilities or conditions, as well as any teacher disciplinary proceedings or grievances. The district administration is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operation of the district is in conformance with the terms of the CBA.

The Montclair PTAC (Montclair Council of PTAs) supports district school PTAs in their work of advocating for the success and wellbeing of their students. The PTAC functions as a representative body of the PTAs so the voices of parents and caregivers are more effective in influencing decisions made at the individual school and district level. PTAC empowers local PTAs by sharing advice, guidance, best practices, tools, training and networking opportunities and facilitates district-wide information-sharing. PTAC works with PTAs to bring policy issues and concerns to the attention of the Board of Education (BOE) and Superintendent. The Montclair PTAC is committed to supporting consistent, effective and multi-directional communications between parents/guardians, PTAs, schools and the Board of Education (BoE)/Superintendent.

PTAC members consist of the executive board (president, 2 VP’s, secretary and treasurer), the executive boards of the schools’ PTAs and committee members. PTAC is also an affiliate of the state and National PTA with by-laws created for its council status. Members meet on a monthly basis.

There are several PTAC committees that dive deeper into important issues facing the district including community relations, school budget and finance, leadership training, health and wellness, technology, equity, anti-racism and opportunity gap, special education, and communication. PTAC committee participation is open to all parents and caregivers in the district.  PTAC is committed to increasing PTA membership in under-represented groups. A diverse PTA membership helps bring different perspectives to the forefront and can influence policy and make positive changes. For more information, visit the PTAC website.  

The Montclair Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a group of parents/caregivers, professionals, students and concerned community members working to improve the educational process and experience for Montclair students in need of accommodations, special education, and related services through advocacy, education, resources and support. Join the confidential email list at MontclairSEPAC@gmail.com.

Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), Montclair’s local education fund, is an independent non-profit that raises private dollars to engage and empower students, teachers and supporters of public education. MFEE drives innovation and collaborates with the Montclair community to create equitable access to high quality education for all students. MFEE supports the Montclair Public Schools through grantmaking, community connecting, and district-wide initiatives.  Learn how to get involved here.

"Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The mission of the (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons." The Montclair chapter of the NAACP includes an active Education Committee that advocates for Black and low-income students in the town and partners with the district and other community groups to ensure equitable inputs and improve educational opportunities and outcomes.

The National Independent Black Parent Association (NIBPA) is defined by its organizers as a grassroots organization created with a mission to completely and entirely eradicate racism in the educational system.