Decision Maker

Josephine Garcia

Newark City School Board

New Jersey

Josephine C. Garcia is a community and educational leader in Newark, New Jersey, who has spent her career serving the city's residents. In April 2017, Garcia was elected to the Newark Board of Education and was immediately elected as the board's president. Her term extends from 2017 to 2026. She also serves as the chair of the governance committee and vice chair of the legal committee. Since May 2019, Garcia has been the President of the Essex County New Jersey School Board Association. Garcia launched her career as a legal secretary before joining former Mayor Sharpe James' administration in 1998, where she held positions such as assistant supervisor of the mayor's administrative staff. Since 2006, she has worked as a legislative aide for Newark Councilman-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez, providing research on municipal issues and serving as his representative at conferences.