Legislation that would create “super” county superintendents and move school board candidate elections from April to November did not move in the Senate on Thursday – thanks in large part to action by NJSBA members.
 
Twice during the past week, Association President Kevin E. Ciak reached out to local school board members.  Through automated telephone messages, he asked board members to call Senate President Dick Codey’s office to express opposition to the proposals.  The message also urged Codey not to place S-10/A-4 on the Senate agenda.
 
Codey did not place the bills on Thursday’s Senate agenda.  A key state Senator told an NJSBA official that the volume of calls from local school officials was instrumental in postponing Senate action on the bill.
 
“The calls to action by NJSBA’s leadership and the response of our members had an impact,” said Edwina M. Lee, executive director. “Going forward, it is important that board members be prepared to reach out again to their own Senators and Assembly representatives, to the legislative leadership, and to the governor’s office.”
 
It’s Not Over  The Senate and Assembly are not expected to meet again until early January.  Between now and then, proponents of the county superintendent concept and November school elections could build support for their plans.  And the proposals could reappear on the Legislature’s agenda as S-10 and A-4 – or as totally new bills.
 
A4/S10 would have established 21 governor-appointed executive county superintendent positions, giving the “super” superintendent power over budgeting and staffing in local districts.
 
A-4 which passed the lower House on Dec. 11, also calls for moving school board candidate elections to the general election in November.