Two New Jersey School Governance Cases Raise Questions About Ethics Enforcement

Last month, I reported on the case of Gail Nazarene, a Board Member from Alloway, for using her personal social media page to discuss Board business with her constituents. Since reporting on this initial case, Nazarene obtained counsel from FIRE (The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) in her suit against Kevin Dehmer, Commissioner for the NJ Department of Education. Gail is fighting for her right to exercise her freedom of speech and asserting that the state is abusing the law and is seeking allowances to be able to communicate with her constituents.

In October 2025, the NJSBA issued a formal statement regarding the removal of former President of the Association, Tammeisha Smith, citing the Board of Directors finding she had violated the code (8250C) of conduct by ‘refuse(ing) to surrender independent judgement to special interests or use my position or title of officer for personal or financial gain, or for the personal or financial gain of others.” The removal from Smiths role as President from NJSBA was only relative to the organization and did not affect her 15+year service to the Knowltown Board of Education.

Some highlights from Smith’s professional and personal career include 2018 article highlighting the work and dedication she endured to found the Dunbar Center (for Kidney Dialysis and Wellness). Smith serves as Director and CEO alongside her brother, who serves as VP. She has also worked as an insurance professional with Foundation Risk Partners since 2016. Adding to Smith’s relatively career and personal achievements, she was named the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ. She has an extensive history of serving on Boards of health care facilities and non-profit organizations.

An article from the Ridgeview Echo published remarks from Smith, following her NJSBA removal, at the Knowltown Elementary School Board meeting, where she serves as President. Smith stated that she was removed for a “perceived conflict of interest between her public service and her career in the insurance industry.” Smith continued highlighting that the NJSBA had been aware of her 3+ decades in the insurance profession and that she had only served with the utmost integrity and transparency.

This is yet another broad stroke in the ever controversial dealings of the NJSBA, School Ethics commission and how they interpret their code of conduct and ethical standards.

While the U.S. Constitution guarantees individual rights, officials who accept elected or appointed roles within governing bodies simultaneously accept the rules, governance structures, and ethical standards imposed by those organizations.

It is unclear whether any more information to shed light on what happened leading up to Smith’s removal (by a 19-4 vote) will come to light, and privacy is certainly an important consideration as whatever went down was most likely personal. But, it does make you wonder what line she crossed and if her situation was used to send a larger message to other leaders. Perhaps the greater question lies within the 4 votes of support – what evidence did they interpret that led them to believe she did not violate any codes of conduct?

We are unlikely to learn any more about Smith and what transpired causing the Board to remove her. This is not because the general public doesn’t really follow NJSBA news (but, maybe?), but because there was no suit or investigation from the School Ethics Commission. The entire ‘case’ was contained within the organization leaving the Board of Directors to be the judge, jury and executioner. Fair? Not sure, but it’s the quiet cases yielding a big punch that are usually the most worth paying attention to.

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