Jefferson Township Superintendent Jeanne Howe Named Morris County Superintendent of the Year

The Jefferson Township Public School District is proud to announce that Superintendent Mrs. Jeanne Howe has been named the Morris County Superintendent of the Year by the Morris County Association of School Administrators (MCASA). Mrs. Howe, who currently serves as President of the county organization, was selected for the distinction by her fellow superintendents in recognition of her outstanding leadership, professional integrity, and unwavering commitment to serving public education.  

The accolade highlights Mrs. Howe’s collaborative leadership style and steady presence within the region. In a statement regarding the honor, Executive County Superintendent Dr. Nancy Gartenberg commended Mrs. Howe as "one of those quiet leaders who never seeks attention, yet consistently shows up with integrity, thoughtfulness, and grace," noting that the county is fortunate to have her voice among its leadership.  

In addition to her work within the county, Mrs. Howe has been a prominent advocate for public school funding at the state level. Facing an $11 million annual reduction in state aid driven by the S-2 funding formula, totaling nearly $45 million in losses, she has repeatedly testified before the New Jersey Senate and Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committees to advocate for fair funding solutions. Her efforts include joining a group lawsuit seeking transparency for the state’s funding formula and collaborating with local legislators to address structural shortfalls.  

To manage these financial constraints and the limitations of the Highlands Act, Mrs. Howe successfully led the district through a comprehensive, multi-year reconfiguration plan. The proactive restructuring includes consolidating school facilities, closing the Milton and Cozy Lake Elementary Schools, and arranging the sale of the district's Central Office building to maximize resources while maintaining core instructional programs.  

“The district is not asking for special treatment but for fairness,” Mrs. Howe stated in her testimony before state lawmakers. “Jefferson Township’s students deserve access to an adequately funded, transparent, and equitable education system, just as every student in New Jersey does.”  As a fixture at annual state budget hearings for several years, her efforts reinforce the standard that all students deserve equal access to a high-quality education, regardless of zip code.

The Jefferson Township Board of Education and school community congratulate Mrs. Howe on this well-deserved professional distinction.