You Did It: S-10/A-4 Stopped—For Now

Legislation that would create “super” county superintendents and move school board member elections from April to November did not move in the Senate on Dec. 14 – thanks in large part to action by NJSBA members.

Twice during the previous 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 Richard J. 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.

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.

NJSBA’s officers this week sent letters of thanks to the Board of Directors, County Association Leadership, Legislative Committee and other committees, thanking them for their advocacy and leadership on these issues.

“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 the Assembly are not expected to meet again until early January. But 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.

A-4/S-10 would have created 21 governor-appointed executive county superintendent positions, giving the “super” superintendent power over budgeting and staffing in local districts.