The long-serving president of the Butler School Board, Matthew Lee, has joined the NJSBA Field Services staff as the new field services representative (FSR) in Bergen County.

He replaces Al Annunziata, who retired in June after serving the county’s school boards as an FSR for four years.

Lee, who was unanimously elected nine times to serve as president of the Butler board, served on the local school board for 20 years, and chaired all board committees during that time. During his 10-year stint as Finance Committee chair, the Butler district passed nine of 10 budgets.

He has also been active in advocacy through NJSBA and the Morris County School Boards Association, and has a professional background in marketing and digital marketing. He has volunteered in schools as a reading volunteer, playground builder, and helping wire buildings for the internet.

“We are excited to have Matt on board,” said NJSBA Field Services Director Jane Kershner. “Matt had big shoes to fill in Bergen County – Al Annunziata was an excellent field services rep – but Matt has hit the ground running, and is already doing a great job working with and serving the boards in Bergen. We welcome his professional background, and his inside view of how a board works. We believe he will add immensely to the services NJSBA is able to provide to our members.”

Lee said he is very happy to be part of the staff at NJSBA.

“The New Jersey School Boards Association is an organization that has served me well over the years, as a board member,” he said. “I look forward to paying that back – and helping other school boards function to the best of their ability. I have enjoyed getting to know the boards and districts in Bergen County so far, and look forward to the job ahead.”

Under NJSBA policy, Lee has 60 days to resign from his local board.

Matt Lee may be reached at [email protected].