Role of the BOE
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The Board of Education is an elected, unpaid group of nine citizens who serve three-year terms, with three seats subject to election each year.
Contrary to popular belief, the Board does not run Lawrence Township Public Schools – that is the job of the Superintendent. The Board’s role is to ensure that the district is well run through the creation and updating of policies. These policies serve as a guide to the Superintendent and provide direction, a basis for decision-making, and an imperative for action. In addition to setting policy, the Board oversees the budget; approves the curriculum; hires and evaluates the Superintendent; represents the public during contract negotiations; and serves as a communications link between the community and the school system.
As individuals, Board members cannot make decisions for the Board, take actions for the Board, or speak for the Board, unless the Board has authorized them to do so. Board members are sworn to abide by the New Jersey Code of Ethics for School Board Members.
The Board functions by committee to review staff and administrator recommendations on district operation, budget development, facilities maintenance, curriculum development, etc. The Lawrence Township Board operates with five standing committees: Finance and Facilities; Personnel; Community Relations and Legislative Affairs; Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Development; and Negotiations. These committees consist of four board members each and a district administrator liaison. At committee meetings, committees review their action items on which the Board takes action by voting at Board of Education meetings. Occasionally, due to time constraints or an urgent need, the Board will act without committee review.
The Lawrence Township Board welcomes hearing your concerns, and suggests the following guidelines to resolve them:
- If you have an issue concerning your child's class or teacher, first contact the classroom teacher.
- From there, you should contact the building principal if the matter has not been resolved to your satisfaction after speaking with the teacher.
- If you cannot come to a resolution at the building level or if you have a district-wide concern, you should contact the Superintendent.
Individual matters are generally referred to the Board only after the above channels are exhausted. The Board is charged with decisions related to policy matters and most matters which do not have policy implications will generally be decided at the building level in collaboration with the central office staff.
When hearing concerns on issues affecting the district as a whole, Board members function as policymakers. They place these concerns on a meeting agenda for discussion by the entire Board or a Board committee. The discussions can result in new or revised district policies.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Lawrence Township Public Schools District provides its students the best education the community can afford. Board members have a responsibility not only to listen to all citizens but also to make sure those with a special point of view understand the needs of the school system as a whole. Above all, the Board is responsible for, and to, the students in Lawrence Township Public Schools.
Committee Descriptions
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Coming soon!
Meet the Board Members
Meet the Board Members
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Patricia Hendricks Farmer
Board President
President Patricia Hendricks Farmer
Current Term: Ends January 2024
BOE Member Since: 2021
Current Service to Board: President;
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Professional Development;
Community Relations and Legislative Affairs;
Ad Hoc - Guidance and Mental Health Committee;
Ad Hoc – Equity Committee;Liaison to: Partnership with ECV
Email: pfarmer@ltps.org
Family: Married with one child who attends Lawrence Township Public Schools
Education: BA – Temple University, Communications, Public Relations
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Amanda Santos
Board Vice President
Vice President Amanda Santos
Current Term: Ends January 2023
BOE Member Since: 2021
Current Service to Board: Finance Committee
Email: asantos@ltps.org
Career: Private voice and piano instructor/owner; Classically Trained Studio in Lawrence Township
Family: Married with 3 children- 1 attends Mercer County Special Services District, 1 attends LTPS, youngest is not in school yet
Education: BA in Music, Westminster Choir College of Rider University; M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy, Westminster Choir College of Rider University
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Michele Bowes
Board Member
Michele Bowes
Current Term: Ends January 2024
BOE Member Since: 2016
Current Service to Board:
Personnel Committee (chair),
Curriculum Instruction, Assessment & Development Committee,
Community Relations & Legislative Affairs CommitteeEmail: mbowes@ltps.org
Career: Social Worker
Family: Married with 2 children who attend Lawrence Township Public Schools
Education: BA, New York University;
MSW, Columbia University -
Arundel Clarke
Board Member
Current Term: Ends January 2024
BOE Member Since: 2021
Current Service to Board:
Email: aclarke@ltps.org
Career:
Family:
Education:
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Patricia (Pepper) Evans
Board Member
Patricia "Pepper" Evans
Current Term: Ends January 2023
BOE Member Since: 2013
Current Service to Board:
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment & Development Committee;
Negotiations Committee;
Special Education Ad Hoc Committee (chair);
Board Liaison - Every Child Valued;
Board Liaison - Lawrence Town CouncilEmail: pevans@ltps.org
Career: Assistant to the President, Silver Century Foundation
Family: 2 daughters who attended Lawrence Township Public Schools
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Jo Ann Groeger
Board Member
JoAnn Groeger
Current Term: Ends January 2022
BOE Member Since: 2011
Current Service to Board:
Community Relations & Legislative Affairs Committee (chair);
Personnel Committee;
Board Liaison - Lawrence Township Education Foundation;
Board Liaison - New Jersey School Boards Association;
President - Mercer County New Jersey School BoardEmail: jgroeger@ltps.org
Career: Physical Education and Health Instructor in Lawrence for 32 years
Family: Married with 3 children who attended Lawrence Township Public Schools
Education: BS, Health and Physical Education, The Kings College;
MA + 30 hrs., Education, Georgian Court College -
Michelle King, Ph.D.
Board Member
Michelle King, Ph.D.
Current Term: Ends January 2023
BOE Member Since: 2016
Current Service to Board:
Community Relations & Legislative Affairs Committee (Chair);
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment & Development Committee;
Negotiations Committee;
Guidance and Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee;
Liaison for Special EducationEmail: mking@ltps.org
Career: Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, The College of New Jersey
Family: Married with 5 daughters
Education: BA, Special Education, LaSalle University;
MEd, Educational Psychology, Temple University;
PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Pennsylvania -
Robert Pluta
Board Member
Robert Pluta
Current Term: Ends January 2025
BOE Member Since: 2022
Current Service to Board:
Community Relations and Legislative Affairs (CR&LA);
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments, and Professional Development (CIAPD);
Ad Hoc – Guidance and Mental Health CommitteeEmail: rpluta@ltps.org
Career: Owner of Leonardo's Restaurant in Lawrenceville since 2007
Family: Lifelong Lawrence resident – married, father to two boys, Eric (b.2007) and Robert (b. 2018)
Education: Graduate of Lawrence High, class of 1992
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Kevin Van Hise, Esq.
Board Member
Kevin Van Hise, Esq.
Current Term: Ends January 2022
BOE Member Since: 2011
Current Service to Board:
Negotiations Committee (chair);
Finance & Facilities Committee;
Personnel CommitteeEmail: kvanhise@ltps.org
Career: Attorney - Mason, Griffin & Pierson, PC, Princeton, NJ
Family: Married with two children who attend Lawrence Township Public Schools
Education:
BA – Livingston College, Rutgers University, 1993;
JD – Rutgers School of Law, Camden, 2003