The Senate has confirmed the governor’s nomination. Phil Murphyappointment of Clifton Assistant School Superintendent Ahmed Shehata to the New Jersey School Board.
The appointment is a significant milestone for Shehata and the Clifton Public School District.
According to school principal Danny Robertozzi, Shehata’s appointment is great news for the city’s schools and its residents.
“As the principal of one of the larger districts in the state, I know we have a strong advocate for fully funding the state aid formula, especially for districts like Clifton that have been underfunded for years,” Robertozzi said.
Shehata, in his role as business administrator, witnessed the impact of the national teacher shortage, Robertozzi said. “I am confident he will support initiatives to address this significant issue across the state.”
Members of the New Jersey Board of Education are appointed to six-year terms and play an important role in setting policy for the state, which ultimately feeds back to local school boards.
There are 13 members on the board, most of whom come from large districts. They are volunteers and are not paid for their services.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Gov. Murphy for nominating me for this critical position and to the New Jersey State Senate for their confirmation,” Shehata said.
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Clifton School Board members said Clifton Public Schools and the community as a whole will benefit from having a representative on the state board because there will be a strong advocate who understands the local challenges and opportunities within the education system.
Some board members indicated that Shehata also brings a lot of political experience.
Shehata’s resume lists him as a member of the Union County Democratic Committee, the Union County Improvement Authority and chairman of the Muslim Caucus County, New Jersey State Democratic Committee.
He was also a school administrator for the Linden school board.
“The State Board of Education plays a critical role in navigating these challenging times and ensuring that personal politics are not a barrier,” Shehata said. “We must work together to develop policies that are fair, evidence-based, and designed to meet the needs of every student in New Jersey.”
The date for Shehata’s swearing-in has yet to be set, Education Ministry officials said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Governor Murphy appoints Clifton school official to NJ Board of Ed
