NJSBA Analysis: Law Reduces Board Power, Restricts Voter Decisions

On July 1, Governor McGreevey signed into law the most significant education bill this legislative session. Unfortunately, it promises to wreak havoc on numerous local boards of education. NJSBA’s full analysis of S1701 follows this summary. Get the full story.

In the flurry of activity that preceded the Legislature summer recess, many of the bills being tracked by the New Jersey School Boards Association received action. Since the last issue of School Board Notes, A99/S1701, the school spending cap bill, was passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed into law. Also passed and signed into law were A100/S1678, the “Millionaires’ Tax” bill, and A97/S1787, which created a task force to study and make recommendations for a constitutional convention on property tax reform.

Bills passed by both houses and awaiting the Governor’s signature include: A2240, creating a statewide immunization registry; A1270, allowing school districts to collect tuition from the parents or guardians of children enrolled in non-mandated preschool programs; and A2427/S337, subjecting charter school administrators and trustees to the provisions of the School Ethics Act.

Educational association needs a qualified professional with knowledge and experience of policy development. Responsibilities include research, design, development and presentation of policy issues at process-oriented workshops and training programs; analysis and interpretation of changes in education statutes and code for their effect on school district policy; and provision of telephone, electronic, written and on-site help to districts to address policy-related problems.

Minimum education/experience is a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, with three years experience in public education or related field. Knowledge of public education and school board operations, basic research techniques, ability to analyze materials for board policy implications, ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form, and excellent grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading skills are required. Minimum salary is $47,051.

Mail, fax or e-mail your resume and salary requirements by July 30, 2004 to Kimberly Blum, Manager, Human Resources, New Jersey School Boards Association, P.O. Box 909, Trenton, NJ 08605-0909. Fax: 609-695-4031. E-mail: kblum@njsba.org.

Notice of Special Meeting for NJSBA Executive Committee

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided of a special meeting of the New Jersey School Boards Association Executive Committee. The meeting will be held at the Doral Forrestal, 100 College Road East, Princeton, on Saturday, July 10, 2004, at 1 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

The agenda, to the extent known at this time, will include final discussion of Executive Committee Protocols, begun at the June 25, 2004 Executive Committee Planning Meeting.

For further information, contact Mary Alice Durham at 1-888-886-5722, extension 5206

Critical Policy Reference Manual One of the most difficult tasks for boards to accomplish is developing and revising policies that keep up with the law and the changing educational scene. NJSBA has developed the CPRM to assist boards and administrators in maintaining a set of workable, usable policies to apply to all areas of board operations.

The CPRM is a collection of legal reference pages and sample policies that are important for a number of reasons, including: some policies are mandated by statute or administrative code; some policies are on subjects addressed in state monitoring; and some policies are critical for various other reasons, such as extensive case law, implied by a requirement for procedures or regulations, or a sensitive subject matter that could cause the board problems if it did not have policy. Altogether, the CPRM contains nearly 200 policies.

The CPRM is a useful tool for the board in several ways. It can serve as a base of comparison for board policies. It can also be a resource when you need to create a policy in an area that was previously left to chance or administrative discretion.

The CPRM is reviewed and revised at least once a year. All material in it receives a thorough legal review before it is published, but it is always a good idea to have your board attorney review your policy before final adoption by the board.

Click here to access the Critical Policy Reference Manual online. It is also available for purchase in hard copy or a CD-ROM. To obtain a copy, contact Maryann Wolverton at 1-888-886-5722, extension 5209.