New Business Administrator Named For Brick Schools

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township School District has named Maria Roberts as the district's new business administrator.

Roberts, a Brick Township resident who has been the district's assistant business administrator for the district since 1998, replaces James Edwards, who retired June 30 after 19 years as business administrator.

Roberts, a certified public accountant who holds a standard New Jersey School Business Administrator Certificate, "has played a foundational role in managing Brick Township School district’s approximately $180 million annual operating budget across multiple funds, including General, Special Revenue, Capital Projects, Debt Service, Enterprise, and Internal Service Funds," the district said in announcing her promotion.

Her responsibilities have included supervising payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable departments for the district's about 2,000 staff members, while ensuring accuracy and full regulatory compliance.

"She has also provided critical oversight and support for key operational logistics, including facilities planning, transportation, and food services," the district said.

"With approximately 31 years of experience spanning school district fiscal operations and public accounting, Roberts brings a deep, comprehensive knowledge of the systems and processes essential to maintaining efficient district operations," the district said. "In her new capacity, she will oversee the district's business operations and continue her long-standing commitment to fiscal transparency and operational excellence."

Roberts, whose salary will be $192,000, was the assistant business administrator for the Asbury Park Board of Education from 1995 to 1998, where she specialized in budgetary performance analysis and internal control framework, the district said.

She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and serves as the treasurer of the Ocean County Association of School Business Administrators. She also served on the Holy Family PTA executive board and as its president.

"I am absolutely thrilled to work with Mrs. Maria Roberts in the capacity of school business administrator/ board secretary," Superintendent Thomas Farrell said. "She has been integral to our success in the past with years of proven leadership for the department which was always apparent. Her institutional knowledge and historical perspective of the district is an asset at this time."

"Sometimes what you are really looking for is right in front of you," Farrell said.

"You might think I don't really get excited about work anymore, but that's that's not true," Roberts said at the June 25 school board meeting when her promotion was approved. "With this opportunity to take on this new role, I'm very excited. I'm excited to stay here. I'm excited to work closer with the board, and to continue working with administration. We have a fantastic business office staff. I'm very excited to work with them and really everyone else in the district."

"So, I want to thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to serving the community of Brick," she said.

She also wished Edwards farewell on his retirement. Edwards is becoming the executive director of New Jersey Association of School Business Officers.