VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Vernon Township Board of Education has earned Board Certification from the New Jersey School Boards Association, a recognition honoring school boards that demonstrate effective governance and leadership.
The certification, awarded in March, reflects the board’s completion of extensive professional development and adherence to state governance standards. Board members participated in training through the NJSBA Board Member Academy, focusing on ethics, policy development, financial oversight and strategies to improve student achievement.
The process also included structured retreats, collaborative workshops, annual self-evaluations and compliance with all state-mandated requirements.
“Vernon Township is a community that cares deeply about its children, and this board reflects that. They bring that same commitment to every meeting, every decision, and every goal they set. Earning this certification was something they pursued deliberately because they believe that strong governance leads to better outcomes for kids. As someone new to this community, I am proud and grateful to work alongside them as we build on the foundation they have laid.” — Eveny de Mendez, Superintendent of Vernon Township Schools
“This certification reflects our Board’s commitment to continuous improvement in how we serve our students, staff and community stakeholders. We undertook this work with the goal of strengthening our efforts both individually and collectively. I’m especially proud of the significant time and effort each member invested to meet that standard. I also want to recognize that in transitioning to a more committee-centric structure, we’ve strengthened shared leadership, with committee chairs taking on a greater role in helping move the district forward.” — Jennifer Pellet, President, Vernon Township Board of Education
Officials said the certification aligns with broader district efforts, including strategic planning focused on student achievement, community trust and continuous improvement. The district also reported gains in state assessment scores, including improvements in English language arts and mathematics across multiple grade levels.
The Vernon Township Board of Education includes Jennifer Pellet, president; John Kraus, vice president; Charles Cimaglia; Brian Fisher; Carolyn Ross; Stephanie Vecharello; Raymond Zimmerman; Sarah Petak; and Alice Nickalls.
The board will be formally recognized at the Sussex County School Boards Association celebration scheduled for May 7 at the Newton Country Club in Newton.
