Welcome to School Board Notes

May 7, 2008 • Vol. XXXI • No. 37

Accountability Regulations Pose Far-Reaching Changes Countywide Negotiations Proposed Corzine Signs Family Leave Bill into Law Senate Panel Advances Recess Bill Hearing Set on Tax Credit Voucher Program Governor Proclaims May 11-17 ‘Special Education Week in New Jersey’ 31 Achieve Certificated Board Member Status New Board Member Weekend Orientation Conference NJSBA Welcomes New Staff Association Seeks Board Member Involvement NJSBA’s Legislative Committee: The Big Picture Thinking Globally NJSBA Board of Directors to Meet Conversation with Corzine is Online Reminder: WebChat on Monday Calendar Click here for a pdf version of this issue of School Board Notes	Accountability Regulations Pose Far-Reaching Changes Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy has issued draft regulations to implement recent laws, including the School District Accountability Act, the new school funding formula, and the CORE reform act.

	Countywide Negotiations Proposed Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. recently called for giving the state’s executive county school superintendents the authority to negotiate countywide teacher contracts and to slash non-classroom administrative spending in schools. Corzine Signs Family Leave Bill into Law At a State House ceremony on Friday, Gov. Jon Corzine signed into law the Paid Family Leave Bill, which will allow workers to apply for leave to care for a sick relative or a newborn or newly adopted child. Senate Panel Advances Recess Bill The Senate Education Committee released a bill on Monday that would create a state task force to research whether elementary schools should be required to provide recess. Web Extra: Hearing Set on Tax Credit Voucher Program The Senate Economic Growth Committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday morning, May 8, on S-1607, a five-year pilot tax credit voucher bill.

	Governor Proclaims May 11-17 ‘Special Education Week in New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proclaimed May 11-17 as Special Education Week in New Jersey.

	31 Achieve Certificated Board Member Status Thirty-one school board members have achieved the status of Certificated Board Members for 2008 through NJSBA’s Board Member Academy program. New Board Member Weekend Orientation Conference Newly elected school board members can satisfy their training requirements under the School Ethics Act at the NJSBA Weekend Orientation Conference to be held June 6-8.

	NJSBA Welcomes New Staff Several new faces have joined the NJSBA team. The Association has a new Field Service Representative in the Member Services Department, and three new professionals in the Labor Relations department who have come aboard since the start of the school year. Association Seeks Board Member Involvement NJSBA is seeking school board members who are willing to put their energy and expertise to use by participating in an Association committee. NJSBA’s Legislative Committee: The Big Picture NJSBA’s Legislative Committee met on Saturday to thank members for their years of service to the committee, and to discuss issues facing school districts as the state legislature comes back into session. Thinking Globally Students and teachers from the Trenton Community Charter School, an NJSBA associate member, teamed up on Earth Day, Apr. 22, to improve the environment in the city’s West Ward through an anti-litter campaign. NJSBA Board of Directors to Meet In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided of a meeting of NJSBA’s Board of Directors.

	Conversation with Corzine is Online Would you like to see Gov. Jon Corzine’s meeting with school board members earlier last month? Reminder: WebChat on Monday Want to take part in a live WebChat with Kevin E. Ciak, NJSBA president?

	Calendar

	Training Programs and Resources Legislative Days Leadership Conference Browse NJSBA’s Bookstore for the latest publications on school governance Board Member Academy Programs Beautiful, affordable walnut and brass plaques help say "thank you" for a job well done!