In its first meeting of 2007, the state Senate on Monday held off voting on A-8/S-49, which would create a pilot county administrative school district. A new Senate voting session has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 22. The proposal may be on the agenda along with S-10, the “super” executive county superintendent bill.

Be Ready to Act NJSBA leaders urge local school board members to remain vigilant and to continue reaching out to lawmakers to oppose legislation that would do little to reduce property taxes.

Said NJSBA President Kevin E. Ciak: “We have learned one thing from this process: It is critical for board members to continue ongoing communication with legislators. The possibility always exists that this plan—and others that could damage public education – can move.”

Super County Superintendent S-10, the Senate version of the “super” executive county superintendent proposal would create 21 politically appointed positions with sweeping powers over local school district financial operations and administration. The latest version of the bill would maintain school board member and school budget elections in April. The Assembly version, A-4, approved by the lower house in December, would move school board member elections to November.

The “super” county superintendent concept could cost taxpayers more by negating local school district achievements in staffing, purchasing and negotiations, according to NJSBA.

County Pilot A-8/S-49 would authorize the state commissioner of education to develop a plan to create one pilot county administrative school district. The pilot county district would be governed by a board of education, appointed by the freeholder director or county executive. If approved, administrative functions in local school districts would be concentrated at the county level and local boards in the selected pilot county district would become advisory panels.

NJSBA believes this bill will do nothing to resolve New Jersey’s property tax problem. Under A-8/S-49, voters and local school boards would not have a voice in authorizing the pilot county school district. In addition, it could potentially cut existing educational services in the affected county. The Association has also expressed concern about the ability of local school districts in the pilot county to return to local governance if the experiment fails.

The current Senate version of the bill would create a 10-year pilot program. The Assembly version, passed by the lower house in December, calls for a 5-year test.