Dear NJSBA Member, 

The time for school board members to act is now. 

Between now and the end of the year, the Legislature will deliberate over the recommendations of the four Joint Legislative Committees on Property Tax Reform.  In anticipation of Wednesday’s release of the reports, the Board of Directors had asked the Association staff to develop a plan of action that would enable local school boards members to communicate with their lawmakers on key issues. 

After comprehensive discussions and considering every possible scenario, we plan to present the Board of Directors with a bold and focused strategy. 

NJSBA, in fact, has been gearing up for action since the Legislature announced its plans for a special session last summer. Our Governmental Relations staff has met with each and every lawmaker who served on the joint committees charged with studying school funding, consolidation and shared services, public employee benefits and pensions, and constitutional reform. 

But now it’s time to reach out to the vast majority of lawmakers – that is, those legislators who were not part of the joint committees.  And that message must be conveyed at the grass roots.

Our Legislative Committee will spearhead this effort, starting with in-district meetings with their state Senators and Assembly representatives.  The Board of Directors, County Association Leadership and members of NJSBA’s committees will join in this endeavor to express local school board members’ concerns. 

It is our desire to engage as many local school board members as possible in this effort. 

Please contact a Legislative Committee member in your area to join the fight to maintain school governance at the local school district level and ensure an adequate and fair school funding system for our children. 

Sincerely,

Edwina M. Lee
Executive Director