As the parent of two children, I could always tell how important something was to my kids by how much they were willing to work for something. For example, I knew that music was important to them because they were willing at a young age to go to school an hour early to participate in band and then take lessons and practice at night. It was a high priority for them.

When something is a priority, you make time for it and allocate resources. As parents, when we see something we think is worthwhile for our kids, we allocate the money and time to match their interest.

This lesson, which families know so well, is one that the New Jersey Legislature would be wise to learn. The best example of this is the Anti-Bully Bill of Rights, which the Legislature passed almost unanimously and the governor signed into law.

When the law was first enacted, the same question came up at many meetings around the state:  Is this an unfunded mandate? To school administrators and board members, the law seemed to mean more work for individuals and more training. The proponents of the law have always said that it could be implemented through current funds.  Those in the field were never convinced. (more…)

At the beginning of this week, I thought I might write a blog about the Governor’s State of the State Address. Then I got a reminder about an event in January that I did not want to overlook and an email from a board member that triggered a thought.

For those who want to know what happened in the State of the State speech, here is an abbreviated synopsis of the governor’s message for the education community:  Tax cuts are good. Tenure is bad and must be changed.  Charter schools are good and we need them, especially in our districts that are not performing. The Abbott Court rulings are very bad and unfair.  The practice of Last in First Out (LIFO) needs be eliminated when districts have to reduce staff. We need the Opportunity Scholarship Act (voucher bill) passed now.  None of this is new, but it is important for us to know that the governor has made education reform a priority this year.

I am not trying to minimize the importance of the governor’s words but something else came across my computer which I felt was more timely.  Plus I am pretty sure that over the course of 2012 I will have ample opportunity to address the governor’s education agenda.

I was corresponding with a board member about some legislative issues, as well as trying to convince her to get more involved on an NJSBA committee. She said she would think about getting involved more, but she first has to decide whether or not to run for reelection. She said that the six years she has spent on her board had been very time consuming and been hard work, so she was undecided. Then she told me “You do a terrific job and I am very honored to be able to work with you.” As I read those nice words, I also had a page about January being School Board Recognition month up on my computer screen.  I thought that the board member, Angela, who emailed me those kind words, had it backwards. The honor is mine, not hers.  So I replied to her “Angela working for dedicated volunteers like you makes my job seem worthwhile. So the honor is mine to do my best to represent you and work on your behalf.”  I really mean what I said to my friend Angela and let me explain. (more…)

With the passage of S3148/A4394, school boards may soon have a decision to make about when to hold their board elections and if they want to eliminate the school budget vote.

Actually, they are not the only ones who can make that decision unilaterally. The legislation would also give municipal officials authority to move school board elections to November without the board having any say in the matter. I am sure that many board members do not understand this provision nor do they agree with it

I completely support a board having this ability to choose because when they make that decision, it will probably involve a discussion on what is best for their students. But I am less confident that the best interest of the students will be included in the debate if the municipal body is making the decision unilaterally. The municipality’s focus and responsibility by law is more inclined towards budgetary issues than education issues.

Nevertheless, the question now is: (more…)

Sweeney hit the nail on the head when he talked about how few school boards in his district have actually met with him over the years. …. As school board members, we should be fighting for our kids, but over the years I have learned that this is not always the case! 

-        A local board member’s comment to me after listening to Senator Sweeney on Conversations on New Jersey Education

Through my years with the New Jersey School Boards Association I have heard many legislators speak. Most of the time, when the legislator is asked a question – whether that question is coming from me or from someone else – I have a pretty good idea what their response is going to be.  They usually play it safe and do not deviate much from their “script.”

But there are times when a legislator does and it is rather refreshing and usually very honest.  During my podcast show, A Conversation on Education with Senate President Sweeney, I have to admit that Senator Sweeney did take by surprise when he responded to a question on how he sees the role of the board member in the legislative process.  It was his response that elicited the above quote from a board member who agreed with Senate President Sweeney.

What did Senate President Sweeney say? Board members must be much more active in talking to their legislators on issues of importance….. To be honest with you; there isn’t a whole lot of interaction between my office and school districts… Board members need to make a greater effort to let your legislators know what is going on in your district.”  Sen. Sweeney also mentioned that while NJSBA staffers do a good job of informing the legislators on positions, it would be more helpful if local board members communicated more with their legislators.

Sen. Sweeney was not trying to be critical of board members. I believe he was just trying to provide an honest assessment of his dealings with school districts and probably what he has heard from some of his colleagues. Obviously the board member who contacted me agrees with Sen. Sweeney’s assessment because she also indicated that she has urged her board to meet with their senator but the board has been reluctant because some of the members were upset with their representative’s politics. So they chose not to meet with him. Are school board members and school administrators active advocates for their school district or are they, as the board member and Sen. Sweeney indicated, passive advocates?

While I have had the distinct pleasure to work with some very active board members and school administrators over the years, in this case perception is reality. If the legislators are saying that they do not often hear from their school districts, then their perception is correct.

While some board members may not lobby their legislator because they do not like that person,  I think that is a big mistake. As the board member said “As school board members, we should be fighting for our kids,” and I add another sentiment: If you don’t do it, who will?  Part of your duty is to represent your district before other government entities, and if state leaders only hear from the state association and not their local districts, they may get the idea that a particular issue does not impact local districts.

I tend to think that many board members do not engage in advocating on education issues because it is not in their nature. Many people run for the school board because it is “non-political” and they are not comfortable with partisan politics nor do they think it should be part of the education discussion. While board members may not want advocacy to be part of their responsibilities, as Sen. Sweeney pointed out, legislators see it as part of a board member’s responsibilities.

The board members’ perspective is too often overlooked when decisions in Trenton are made.  I know that many board members are offended at laws such as the criminal background check law and the anti-bullying law, even when they pass the legislature by huge margins. That is not because they disagree with the law’s premise but because they wish legislators would view the proposed legislation from their perspective. While NJSBA staff does advocate for boards, as Sen. Sweeney indicated, legislators would like to hear from their constituents too.

Understand that there is no guarantee that if you communicate with your legislators you will win all the legislative battles. If the political climate is right, once they are introduced, some bills are almost a fait accompli. Legislative battles are marathons; victory and defeat can come on the same day and it takes patience. But it also takes getting and staying involved.

If the voice of the local districts gets louder, then NJSBA’s influence grows because the legislators know that the issue rises to another level. I remember interviewing Assemblywoman Mila Jasey shortly after she was elected to the Assembly after serving on her local board of education She said that she did not know the power she had to influence legislation as a local board member until she sat in the state legislator’s seat.

My question to school board members: If the legislators think you have influence, are you wielding it?