Longtime West Orange BOE Member Bids District Farewell

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

After ten years of service on the West Orange Board of Education, Laura Lab was recognized for her accomplishments by district and township administrators and officials at the Dec. 18 meeting.

During her ten-year tenure, Lab worked with three superintendents (Jerry Tarnoff, Dr. Anthony Cavanna and Jeff Rutzky) and one interim superintendent (Jim O’Neill). She helped to appoint ten principals, numerous directors, supervisors and hundreds of teaching and support staff.

“Laura Lab has been exceptional board member,” said Superintendent Jeff Rutzky.

“She was always prepared and cared about doing what was right, even if it wasn't popular, and she made decisions that were best for students,” he continued.

“I am forever grateful to have worked with Laura and thank her for the support. We didn't always agree but we were always able to discuss the problem or situation and resolve the issue respectfully,” he remarked.

Former superintendent Jerry Tarnoff agreed, noting “Laura always did the hard work of homework, and that’s all you can ask for in a board member. I appreciated her on a personal and professional level and was proud to have her as one of my board members.”

Lab approved multiple new courses and innovations for students, including Advanced Placement, Honors, Mandarin Chinese, the WOHS Jr. AFROTC, the athletic Academic Students Achievement Program (ASAP), Mountaineer Academy, and new technology.

As a member of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Lab achieved Master Board Member certification and provided professional development to other board members at various meetings. In addition, she served as one of ten Special Education Committee members statewide and was selected to represent the NJSBA in the 27th Legislative District.

“Laura has made a significant impact on the NJSBA and is considered in the top one per cent of all board members on a state-wide level,” stated West Orange resident and Executive of the NJSBA Larry Feinsod.

Prior to her service on the board, Lab co-founded PASSE (Parents Advocating Special Services in Education) with Cynthia Hadley-Bailey and Maxine Lome and worked with West Orange Advocates, a grassroots organization that helped pass a referendum to support expansions at five elementary schools, additions to the high school, and the creation of Liberty Middle School.

"As a board of education member and co-founder of PASSE, Laura Lab has been a strong advocate for students for over two decades both in the community and school district,” said board President Sandra Mordecai.

In her closing statement, Lab warned of the dangers of social media and the internet, commenting “Posting opinions may very well create a dialogue, which can be positive or negative but it should not be confused for community service.”

“I have found social mores and standards to be at a precarious crossroads and I do hope that greater civility can be a consideration,” she continued.

“I chose not to run again because I felt it was time for another generation to add to the discussion. I leave having the comfort of knowing that Ken Alper will take my seat and grow as a board member to add his own perspective to the institution,” she went on to say.

Lab concluded her comments by sharing, “I will be focusing on my family and deciding where my next chapter will start. But in closing, I will always be a strong supporter of public education and will always be involved in our community one way or the other.”

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Photo: From left, board members Irv Schwarzbaum, Mark Robertson, Superintendent Jeff Rutzky, Laura Lab, board president Sandra Mordecai and Business Administrator John Calavano (West Orange Public Schools)