State Aid Figures Released—
3 Percent Increase for Districts
The New Jersey Department of Education last week announced the state aid figures for schools in the 2004-05 school year. The figures were included in Governor James E. McGreevey’s budget address on February 24. Get the full story.
NJSBA Celebrates 90th Anniversary
This year will mark the 90th anniversary of the New Jersey School Boards Association. All of us here are proud to represent you, our members, who serve your school districts with such dedication. Get the full story.
State Budget Would Limit Administrative Spending
Richard Rosenberg, assistant commissioner in the Division of Finance for the Department of Education, recently issued a letter to all school district superintendents explaining that the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2005 establishes an administrative cost limit for school district budgets Get the full story.
School Board Recognition 2002 logo NJSBA Achieves Success in Revisions to No Child Left Behind
The New Jersey School Boards Association was successful in seeking a major revision to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which allows for the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge for the Third Grade, scheduled for this month, to be considered a “benchmark” test for 2004. The results of the test from this year will not count toward federal guidelines for adequate yearly progress. Get the full story.
Education by the Numbers
Quick Facts About New Jersey’s Public Schools
To assist the news media in reporting about Governor McGreevey’s Annual Budget Message, the New Jersey School Boards Association released pertinent statistics on New Jersey’s schools. Click here to access the entire Education by the Numbers release. Get the full story.
Bills, Bills, Bills!
It appears that the 211th New Jersey Legislature is going to be a very active one with over 3,600 bills introduced in the Senate and Assembly. Fortunately, they are not all education-related bills. Get the full story.
February 26 Legislative Action

Student Athletes NJSBA supported A899 (Diegnan, Barnes), which would impose a penalty for contributing to a high school student’s loss of amateur athlete status. The bill was reported out of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee and now goes to the full Assembly. Get the full update.
NJSBA Resolutions Subcommittee Notice
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided of a meeting of the New Jersey School Boards Association Resolutions Subcommittee. The meeting will be held at the NJSBA headquarters in Trenton on March 20 at 9 a.m. This meeting is open to the public. Get the full story.
NJSBA Executive Committee Meeting Notice
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided of a meeting of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Executive Committee. The meeting will be held at NJSBA headquarters in Trenton on March 10 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. Get the full story.
Training Programs and Resources
Featured in This Week's Edition
NJSBA Brass Plaque

Click here for a pdf version of this issue of School Board Notes.
Legislature to Hold Public Hearings on 2005 State Budget
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee will begin holding public hearings and committee meetings on the fiscal year 2005 state budget. Get the full story.
Deadline Extended for School Leader Award
The deadline for entries into the 19th annual School Leader Award has been extended to March 26.
The award program recognizes creative and innovative programs in New Jersey schools that improve learning. Winning districts will receive engraved plaques at a county school boards association meeting and will be featured in School Leader magazine.

Click here to receive an entry form, or call Maryann Wolverton at 1-888-886-5722, extension 5209.
Briefings Set for School Board Candidates
New Jersey’s county school boards associations will sponsor four briefing sessions for local school board candidates in March. Coordinated by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the four regional programs will address the structure and responsibilities of local boards of education. Get the full story.
Tired of Too Much Paper?
A recent NJSBA Web site statistic revealed that over 8,500 visitors logged on to www.njsba.org last month to read the online version of School Board Notes.

Each week, NJSBA e-mails School Board Notes to its membership as a way to provide up-to-the-minute education news. If you’re tired of too much paper and wish to join those 8,500 visitors who obtain their information quickly and easily via the Association’s e-newsletter, please contact Gale Goldsby at ggoldsby@njsba.org or 1-888-886-5722, extension 5208.

MARCH 9
School Board Candidates Briefing, Montville Township High School, Montville, 7 p.m.
School Board Candidates Briefing, Central Regional Middle School, Bayville, 7 p.m.
MARCH 10
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Executive Committee Mtg., NJSBA Trenton Headquarters, 6:30 p.m.
Legislative Dinner (Essex), Il Tulipano, Cedar Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Student Recognition Awards (Somerset), Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Bridgewater, 6:30 p.m.
MARCH 11
General Membership Mtg. (Atlantic), Dawes Avenue Elementary School, Somers Point, 6:30 p.m.
MARCH 13
County Association Leadership Mtg., Monroe Township High School, Monroe Township, 8:30 a.m.
MARCH 15
School Board Candidates Briefing, North Brunswick Township High School, North Brunswick, 7 p.m.
MARCH 19
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Audit Committee Mtg., Ramada Inn/National Conference Center, East Windsor, 6 p.m.
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Board of Directors Mtg., Ramada Inn/National Conference Center, East Windsor, 7 p.m.
MARCH 20
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Resolutions Subcommittee Mtg., NJSBA Trenton Headquarters, 9 a.m.
Click here for more information on county school boards association activities.