Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed a bill Thursday that will create new training requirements for local school board members. A-5 also will expand the state commissioner of education’s authority to intervene in school district business operations.

Impact on Training A-5 requires reelected and reappointed school board members to receive advanced training. It also expands existing mandatory training for new school board members.

According to A-5, board members must complete a training program on school district governance in each of the subsequent two years of their first term. And, within one year after each reelection or reappointment to the board, board members must complete an advanced-level training program through the NJSBA. The advanced-level training program will include information on relevant changes to New Jersey school law and other information deemed appropriate to enable the board members to serve more effectively.

NJSBA will assess the impact of A-5 on school board training and will notify board members of new and existing in-service education options.

Also Awaiting Action As of March 15, no bill signings have been scheduled for three other education-related bills emanating from the Legislature’s special session on property tax reform. The bills and the final date on which the governor can issue a veto or recommend changes are as follows:

• Property tax cap/credit bill (A-1)—March 22.
  
  
• ‘Super’ county superintendent bill (A-4)—April 8.
  
  
• Pension and Benefits Reform bill (S-17)— April 8.