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

Update October 18, 2010—The state Department of Education has informed the Workshop 2010 sponsors that, regrettably, Acting Commissioner of Education Rochelle Hendricks will not be able to participate in the Workshop 2010 session, “Education: NJ—A Conversation with the Acting Commissioner,” tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. Acting Commissioner Hendricks has assigned three long-term state education officials to represent her at the session. They are Willa Spicer, deputy commissioner of education, Yut’se Thomas, acting assistant commissioner for finance and regulatory compliance, and Aaron Graham, executive county superintendent for Bergen County.

Annual Conference for Local School Officials Moves to Somerset, Oct. 19 and 20

TRENTON, October 15, 2010 —More than 2,000 local school district officials will meet in Franklin Township, Somerset County, Oct. 19 and 20, for Workshop 2010, an annual training event for the state’s public school leadership.

The conference will include more than 80 training and information sessions on issues ranging from the school board’s role in labor negotiations to curriculum innovation and school reform. Programs will also focus on budgeting, school law and policy. [Note: Reporters can receive information about Workshop 2010 by contacting the NJSBA Communications Department at (609) 278-5202 or, after regular business hours, (609) 306-5371.]

Workshop 2010, “Tools, Techniques, Tactics,” is the 59th annual conference for the state’s local public school officials. The meeting was traditionally held in Atlantic City. Because of the fiscal constraints currently facing local school districts and public school education programs, Workshop planners moved this year’s event to central New Jersey to enable more attendees to receive training without having to incur the cost of hotel accommodations.

In addition to the training and information programs, the annual event provides local school board members with state-required instruction in ethics, finance and the responsibilities of the local board of education, as specified in the state’s School District Accountability Act.

“We were gratified with the strong and enthusiastic response of school board members to this year’s Workshop training,” said Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director. “Interest exceeded expectations, and the event reached capacity far sooner than anticipated. The enthusiasm reflects the dedication of local school boards and the quality of training they’ve come to expect.

“Last winter when we were planning Workshop, we knew school boards would encounter unprecedented financial challenges this year,” she continued. “We made necessary changes to meet current financial conditions, such as a service credit program that lets school board members and administrators attend for free and a new location that is within commuting distance of many more members. For us, the term ‘business as usual’ means only maintaining the high quality of our programs.”

Special features at Workshop 2010 will include—

• “Education: NJ—A Conversation with State Education Officials.” Three long-term state education department officials will address New Jersey’s current education agenda during a question-and-answer session with local school board members and administrators. Discussion topics will include local school district options and requirements when using the $268 million provided to New Jersey through the federal Education Jobs Fund; academic standards and assessment, and regulation and oversight of local school districts. Participants will include Willa Spicer, deputy commissioner of education, Yut’se Thomas, acting assistant commissioner for finance and regulatory compliance, and Aaron Graham, executive county superintendent for Bergen County. The session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the Garden State Exposition Center).


• “Education: NJ—State Legislative Update. Members of the Assembly Education Committee will address education proposals, including Governor Christie’s and the Legislature’s reform agendas. The forum will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m., also at the Exposition Center.


• “Women’s Leadership Conference.” Sponsored annually by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, the program will feature Marie C. Wilson, founder of the White House Project and an advocate on women’s issues for more than 30 years. The program will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Palace at Somerset Park.

Since 1952, the New Jersey School Boards Association has conducted Workshop for the state’s public school leaders. It was joined in sponsorship of the annual conference by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators in 1978 and by the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials the following year.