Commissioner Approves Waiver for Workshop 2009

Commissioner Approves Waiver for Workshop 2009

On January 30, Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy, in response to NJSBA’s request, issued a waiver approving overnight travel for Workshop 2009. Workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in Atlantic City. The waiver means that boards of education may reimburse board members and district staff “whose duties are related to the purposes of the conference or who are required to attend to meet continuing education requirements,” for overnight lodging, meals, and transportation. However, restrictions apply. In her letter to NJSBA’s executive director, Marie S. Bilik, Commissioner Davy stated, “After carefully reviewing the submissions (in NJSBA’s request), the Department finds that the 2009 Workshop meets the criteria of the revised guidelines…. First, I note that based on the agenda from last year’s conference, a wide variety of topics in areas such as labor relations, school leadership, regionalization and shared services, school safety, curriculum and professional development are covered. Additionally, NJSBA is providing mandatory new board member orientation training along with training sessions for incumbent and re-elected/appointed board members at the Workshop, which should reduce the number of additional training sessions needed during the year. For these reasons, this waiver request is being granted for the 2009 Annual Workshop.” Davy’s letter concluded with a statement of support for Workshop. “Finally, I want to emphasize that I recognize the value and importance of the NJSBA Annual Workshop, and appreciate NJSBA’s efforts to reduce the costs associated with school district travel,” she noted. The waiver comes with restrictions similar to last year: Registration fees, mileage and meals are subject to the per diem allowance limits set by the federal Government Services Administration. Overnight lodging covers only those attendees whose one-way commute, from home to the Atlantic City Convention Center, exceeds 50 miles. Reimbursement for overnight lodging is neither permitted for the night before the start of Workshop (Tuesday) nor for the night after checkout time on the last day of the conference (Friday). NJSBA has negotiated room rates with most of the convention hotels, which fall within the reimbursement guidelines. Registration and housing forms will be released at noon Thursday, April 30. Watch the pages of School Board Notes, in the coming months, for further information, and also periodically check the Workshop Web site for updates and forms. NJSBA looks forward to welcoming board members to Atlantic City on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 28 through Oct. 30.

Copyright © 2009 New Jersey School Boards Association. All rights reserved.