Travel Restrictions Affect NSBA Conference

Travel Restrictions Affect
NSBA Conference—WEB EXTRA

The state’s recent School District Accountability Act will affect school board members and school employees attending the annual National School Boards Association conference from March 29 to April 1 in Orlando, Fla.

The Accountability Act, signed into law in March 2007, places numerous travel restrictions, as well as reporting and approval requirements, on local school boards and district employees. NJSBA’s Legal and Policy Services Department developed Frequently Asked Questions that can be found on the Association’s online Accountability Act resource center.

Provisions of Law Prior approval of travel expenditures by the school board is a must. The Accountability Act also dictates:

Which travel costs must be itemized
The use of hotels that offer special rates to government employees
A ban on car and limousine rentals
A report by attendees following the event

Lodging and meal limits also apply. The daily rates for hotel and meal reimbursement can be found on the U.S. General Services Administration Web site.

Members who plan to attend the annual conference in Orlando are urged to review NJSBA’s online materials, which contain a model reporting form that complies with the law.

Abbott Districts Board members or employees from Abbott districts may need prior approval from the state Department of Education. Abbot districts will need Department of Education approval by Feb. 26 if more than two Abbott board members or employees will attend the NSBA conference in Orlando, or if the cost will exceed $2,500.

Caution Necessary NJSBA recommends that school officials use caution when attending conferences. Districts that violate established maximum travel expenditure limits may be subject to a variety of sanctions, including reduced state aid. Individuals who travel or approve travel that does not comply with the Accountability Act could be required to reimburse the district at triple the amount of the travel expenditure. NJSBA recommends that school officials consult with their board attorney for details on the approval process.

To learn more about the National School Boards Association’s annual conference, visit the NSBA website at http://www.nsba.org/conference. A preliminary schedule of events provides information on the various speakers and training programs that are being offered, and the Web site is regularly updated.