The state Senate has confirmed Gov. Phil Murphy‘s appointment of Clifton Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ahmed Shehata to the New Jersey Board of Education.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for Shehata and the Clifton Public School District.

Shehata’s appointment is great news for the city’s schools and its residents, said schools’ Superintendent Danny Robertozzi.

“As a superintendent of one of the larger districts in the state, I know we have an advocate for full funding of the state aid formula, especially for districts like Clifton, that were underfunded for so many years,” Robertozzi said.

Shehata in his role as business administrator witnessed firsthand the impact of the national teacher shortage, Robertozzi said. “I am confident that he will champion initiatives to address this significant problem statewide.”

New Jersey Board of Education members are appointed for a six-year term and play a major role in setting policy for the state, which ultimately filters down to the local school boards.

There are 13 members on the board, most of whom come from large districts. They are volunteers and not paid for their service.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Gov. Murphy for nominating me for this critical position and to the New Jersey State Senate for their confirmation,” Shehata said.

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Clifton school board members said by having a representative on the state board, Clifton PublicSchools and the wider community will benefit by having a strong advocate who understands the localchallenges and opportunities within the education system.

Some board members said that Shehata also brings a significant amount of political experience.

Shehata’s resume notes that he is a member of the Union County Democratic Committee, the Union County Improvement Authority and chairman of the Muslim Caucus County, New Jersey State Democratic Committee.

He also served as a school trustee for the Linden Board of Education.

“The State Board of Education has a pivotal role to play in navigating these challenging timesand ensuring personal politics do not interfere,” Shehata said. “We must work collaboratively to develop policies that are equitable, evidence-based and designed to meet the needs of every student in New Jersey.”

The date for Shehata’s swearing-in has yet to be determined, state Department of Education officials said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gov. Murphy appoints Clifton school official to NJ Board of Ed