Dear NJSBA Member,
Last month, your phone calls, e-mails and outreach to legislators were instrumental in stalling Special Session proposals that would mire education policy in partisan politics and establish politically appointed “super” executive county superintendents.
I thank you
for your efforts and would like to provide you with an update on upcoming
issues in
No Action Set on County
Superintendent Bill
The
Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet on Monday, Jan. 8,
As of noon today, S-10, the “super county superintendent” bill, has not been placed on the Senate’s agenda. That’s significant because Senate approval will be necessary for the proposal to move forward. Currently, no Senate voting sessions are scheduled for the remainder of January.
The bill appears to have stalled. However, we have learned one thing from this process: It is critical for board members to continue on-going communication with legislators. The possibility always exists that this plan – and others that could damage public education – may start to move.
‘Hard Caps’ –
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Governor Corzine will deliver his annual State of the State address to the Legislature. We anticipate that he will propose a 4% “hard” cap on local property tax levies for schools, municipalities and counties. This type of cap is significantly different from New Jersey’s current spending growth limitation, which is based on total growth in state, local and federal revenue and allows adjustment for enrollment increases and costs that are out of a school district’s control. It may have the same impact as strategies enacted a generation ago in Massachusetts and California. In both states, resultant cuts in school spending damaged the K-12 public education program.
Updates on this proposal will appear in School Board Notes and on NJSBA’s Web site, www.njsba.org, when they become available.
‘Special Session’ Bills Up on Monday
Monday’s
Senate agenda will include two other special session bills:
A-5/S-4 would expand the commissioner of education’s authority to intervene in school district business operations and would give her the ability to appoint a state monitor under certain conditions. It also would expand mandatory training for new school board members and would require reelected and reappointed members to complete advanced training. The proposal passed the Assembly in December
A-8/S-49 would authorize the commissioner of education to develop a plan to establish one pilot county administrative school district. Boards of Chosen Freeholders could apply for the pilot program. Application would be open to 11 of the state’s 21 counties. Local school boards in the pilot county would be replaced by advisory panels. The version of the bill that passed the Assembly in December calls for a five-year pilot. The proposal was amended in the Senate, however, to extend the pilot period to ten years and to make other changes. Senate approval of the amended version would require additional action by the Assembly.
Check www.njsba.org for reports on Senate action on these bills.
Your Leadership and Advocacy
For me, December 2006 will stand out as a defining moment for New Jersey’s local school boards and our Association – thanks to your efforts. In 2007, your leadership and advocacy at the grassroots will continue to be critical in advancing public education.
Sincerely,
Kevin E.
Ciak
President