Barbara Keshishian, ex-NJEA president, dies at 72

Barbara A. Keshishian, who battled Gov. Chris Christie as the head of New Jersey’s largest public employees union, has died.  She was 72.

Keshishian served as president of the 200,000-member New Jersey Education Association from 2009 to 2013.

A mathematics teacher from Hasbrouck Heights, Keshishian, had served as president of the Bergen County Education Association in the 1990s and the New Milford Education Association in the 1970s and 1980s before seeking a statewide union office.  She became secretary-treasurer in 2001, vice president in 2005, and president in 2009.

“I believe 100% in public education—it’s what makes this country strong. When public schools are attacked, I take it personally. It’s a shame there’s not enough time to sit with everyone and change minds one at a time,” Keshishian said in a 2009 interview. “I know we’d be able to convince people of all the good things we do.”

During his 2009 gubernatorial campaign, Christie sent a letter to the NJEA saying he was not interested in being interviewed for their endorsement.  The union had spent heavily in support of Gov. Jon Corzine’s re-election.   After Christie took office, he sought pension and benefit reform that put Keshishian and the Republican governor at odds.

Prior to her retirement in 2013, Keshishian endorsed Democrat Barbara Buono against Christie.

“She was deeply committed to protecting and advancing the rights of school employees. She believed in the importance of the work we do, because she knew that respect for school employees was a prerequisite for strong schools and successful students,” said NJEA President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson.  “Her advocacy made her a great leader, but her kindness and compassion made her an even better mentor, colleague and friend.”