Montclair School Board Celebrates 2 Influential Departing Members

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Two influential Montclair school board members were celebrated at their final voting meeting as members last month: Latifah Jannah and Priscilla Church.

Both outgoing board members got a hearty round of applause during the Dec. 12 meeting (watch the video here).

Jannah and Church both had big impacts on the board of education during their tenure in Montclair, according to district administrators. Read the proclamations honoring both community members below.

• See related article: Montclair School Board Election Results Certified (See The Winners)

LATIFAH JANNAH

IN APPRECIATION OF BOARD PRESIDENT LATIFAH JANNAH

WHEREAS, Ms. Latifah Jannah has served as a member of the Montclair Board of Education since 2018; and WHEREAS, Ms. Jannah served as Vice President of the Board from 2019 to 2020 and President of the Board from 2020 to 2022; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jannah was an active member of, representative or liaison for, or chair of the following during her tenure: Board of School Estimate Communications Committee Personnel Committee Policy Committee School Culture/Climate/Restorative Justice Committee Negotiations for Montclair Principals Association Liaison for Civil Rights Commission Liaison for Essex Regional Educational Services Commission Liaison for Parent Teacher Association Council

WHEREAS, Ms. Jannah actively sought not only to hear student voices, but to listen and engage them in meaningful dialogue to enact change. She ensured that student representatives were included as members of the Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jannah was a champion of equity and deliberately and thoughtfully fulfilled her Board duties through the lens of equity and cultural responsiveness; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jannah believed in Restorative Justice, was one of the original supporters, and worked to see that its premises, teachings, trainings and staffing grew to include all of the District’s schools; and

WHEREAS,Ms. Jannah encouraged the Administration and the Montclair Education Association to become part of a labor management collaborative from Rutgers University, renowned across the nation and highly cited, to facilitate relationship building and, in turn, positively affect teaching and learning for all children;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montclair Board of Education, on behalf of the people of Montclair, extends to Ms. Latifah Jannah its appreciation for her devoted and responsible efforts; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Montclair Board of Education extends best wishes to Ms. Jannah in her future endeavors.

PRISCILLA CHURCH

IN APPRECIATION OF BOARD VICE PRESIDENT PRISCILLA CHURCH

WHEREAS, Ms. Priscilla Church has served as a member of the Montclair Board of Education since 2018; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Church served as Vice President of the Board from 2020 to 2022; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Church was an active member of, representative or liaison for, or chair of the following during her tenure: Board of School Estimate Curriculum/Special Education/Technology Committee Finance and Facilities Committee Personnel Committee Policy Committee Negotiations for Montclair Education Association Negotiations for Montclair Head Custodians Association Negotiations for Montclair Principals Association Liaison for Essex County School Boards Association Liaison for Essex Regional Educational Services Commission Liaison for Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence Liaison for Special Education Parent Advisory Council Liaison for Team Up Montclair

WHEREAS, it is particularly noteworthy to recognize Ms. Church’s significant contributions to the Finance and Facilities Committee as she worked tirelessly on the Community Investment/Bond Referendum from its inception through its victorious vote on November 8; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Church’s participation at community gatherings, town halls and partner events were unprecedented as she steadfastly sought to inform the community and advocate for our schools; and WHEREAS, Ms. Church’s focus and attention to detail as the Policy Committee Chairperson strengthened the oversight of Policies and Regulations which, in turn, benefited our students and staff; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Church was devoted to ensuring that the Pupil Services Department was focused on enacting recommendations from the Special Education Audit, and she remained a faithful and committed Special Education advocate;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montclair Board of Education, on behalf of the people of Montclair, extends to Ms. Priscilla Church its appreciation for her devoted and responsible efforts; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Montclair Board of Education extends best wishes to Ms. Church in her future endeavors.

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