Manville Board of Education Leaders Honored for Elite Certification and Milestone Service by NJSBA

MANVILLE, NJ – The Manville School District is proud to announce that three members of its Board of Education were formally recognized for their extraordinary commitment to public education at the Somerset County School Boards Association meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026. The evening served as a formal investiture for Board President Ms. Tina Breen and Ms. Debra Babich, who received their Master Board Member (MBM) Certifications, and for Mr. Louis Petzinger, who was honored with a Milestone Award for his 15 years of dedicated service.

Reaching the Pinnacle of Governance

While the district initially celebrated the achievement of Ms. Breen and Ms. Babich in February, Monday night marked the official presentation of their certifications by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). The Master Board Member designation is the highest individual certification available in the state, representing a rigorous multi-year journey through the NJSBA’s Board Member Academy.

To reach this elite status, Ms. Breen and Ms. Babich met stringent requirements, including:

• Advanced Professional Development: Amassing a minimum of 40 cumulative credits in specialized fields such as school finance, labor relations, curriculum oversight, and strategic planning.
• Statewide Leadership: Active participation in NJSBA Delegate Assemblies and regional leadership workshops to help shape state-level education policy.
• Demonstrated Expertise: Passing a formal validation of their governance skills, ensuring they possess a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities required to lead a modern school district.

A Legacy of Service

The evening also highlighted the steadfast leadership of Mr. Louis Petzinger, who was presented with the NJSBA Milestone Award. Celebrating 15 years of service on the Manville Board of Education, Mr. Petzinger’s tenure represents a decade and a half of volunteerism and stability. In an era where school board service is increasingly complex, Mr. Petzinger’s 15-year commitment underscores a deep-rooted passion for the Manville community and a historical perspective that is invaluable to the district’s long-term success.

Caption 1: Manville Board of Education President Ms. Tina Breen (left) and Board Member Ms. Debra Babich (right) display their official Master Board Member (MBM) Certification plaques during the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) regional meeting. The MBM designation is the highest level of individual certification awarded by the NJSBA.

Leading by Example

"This is a proud moment for the Manville School District," said Superintendent Dr. Maroun. "To have two members reach the highest level of state certification while another celebrates 15 years of service speaks volumes about the caliber of leadership in our board.”

The combination of Ms. Breen’s and Ms. Babich’s advanced training and Mr. Petzinger’s veteran experience reinforces the strong foundation upon which Manville’s schools are built. The district extends its deepest gratitude to these three individuals for their tireless efforts and their unwavering focus on "Every Child! Every Day!"

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