P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

School Boards Association Addresses NJSIAA Issue

TRENTON, October 6, 2010—The executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association issued a statement today concerning the recent report of the State Commission of Investigation into the oversight of interscholastic sports and the school boards association’s inclusion in proposed legislation to change the governance of high school and middle school sports.

NJSBA is a non-partisan federation of the state’s local school boards.  It also has 44 charter school associate members.   The organization provides training and direct services to the state’s local boards of education and charter school trustees.

“We understand the concerns of the high school sports community over this issue,” said Marie S. Bilik, the association’s executive director.  “As an advocate for education, NJSBA does not want to see disruption in the current conduct of interscholastic sports.  We are cooperating with members of the state Legislature concerning a possible transfer of high school sports oversight to NJSBA.  However, we understand that the Legislature may consider alternate proposals.”

Bilik’s statement follows:

“The State Commission of Investigation on Sept. 28 issued a report, critical of the financial practices and management of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.  Local boards of education govern the public school districts, which provide athletic programs to their students. Consequently, they have a legitimate interest in the financial efficiency and accountability of the structure that oversees interscholastic sports in New Jersey.

“The SCI’s report does raise concerns. It criticizes inefficiency and lack of transparency in NJSIAA’s financial operations, although it does not take issue with the actual conduct of high school sports in New Jersey.

“Among the SCI’s recommendations are three options for restructuring the governance of interscholastic sports. These involve the following: appointment of a fiscal monitor to oversee the NJSIAA; placing the governance of interscholastic sports within the state Department of Education; or consolidating NJSIAA operations under the umbrella of the New Jersey School Boards Association.

“Prior to release of the Sept. 28 report, NJSBA was not aware that the SCI would make that specific recommendation. However, the commission had contacted our communications department over the summer and requested several years’ financial reports, which were readily provided. We understand that the SCI proposed the third option—placing the current functions of the NJSIAA under the purview of NJSBA—after a thorough review of our Association’s finances and operations.

“Assemblyman John Burzichelli, who sponsored the legislative resolution calling for the SCI investigation of the athletic association, has been in contact with NJSBA concerning a legislative proposal to change the governance of interscholastic sports.  On Sept. 29, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and Assemblyman Burzichelli introduced a bill, A-3368, that would give the commissioner of education oversight of interscholastic sports.  In turn, the commissioner could assign that responsibility to the New Jersey School Boards Association.  Senate President Stephen Sweeney is sponsoring the Senate version of the legislation, S-2329.

“NJSBA did not propose this change in the governance of interscholastic sports. However, if the Legislature and the Governor enact A-3368/S-2329 and the commissioner of education decides to consolidate interscholastic athletic oversight within the school boards association, we would accept the responsibility.

“On Sept. 30, Assemblyman Burzichelli asked NJSBA to develop a transition plan, with a timetable of actions, for placing the governance of interscholastic sports under the umbrella of NJSBA.  In response to the assemblyman’s request, I have asked the Association’s counsel and its finance director to develop such a plan.

“While the plan is currently under development, certain factors would be part of the framework presented to Assemblyman Burzichelli:

·         First, there would be no co-mingling of the finances of an interscholastic sports unit with those of the NJSBA.

·         Second, any plan would have to provide a seamless transition and ensure that there is no disruption to sports programs in New Jersey.

·         Third, interscholastic sports would be governed through a dedicated unit, separate from the operations of NJSBA but under the Association’s financial oversight.

·         Fourth, employees of the separate unit and all aspects of its financial operations would be governed by the same laws, regulations and policies with which the New Jersey School Boards Association complies.  These include the New Jersey School Ethics Act, the New Jersey School District Accountability Act, the state’s Accountability Regulations for school districts, the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act.  In addition, the separate unit would also comply with NJSBA’s financial policies.

“NJSBA has experience in establishing subsidiary operations, such as the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey and the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services. NJSBA has successfully carried out responsibilities assigned to it by the state Legislature in areas such as expanded training for local school board members (1991 and 2007) and energy aggregation (1999).  The energy cooperative, for example, will save local school boards statewide $25 million annually in utility costs next year.

“We are confident that the Legislature will finalize a plan that will continue to provide opportunities to student athletes and safeguard the interests of taxpayers.”

The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 588 local boards of education and includes 44 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.