Bill to Eliminate Boards’ Legal Right to Impose Last Best Offer is Released From Committee
Despite warnings it would promote higher property taxes and do nothing to prevent illegal teacher strikes, the Assembly Labor Committee released legislation last week to eliminate the legal right of school boards to impose their last best offer at genuine impasse. The legislation is sponsored by Assembly members Joseph V. Doria and Arline M. Friscia. Get the full story.
Constitutional Convention Bill on Fast Track
The Assembly State Government Committee last week released a bill that seeks voter approval for a constitutional convention to address property tax reform. The bill, A-540, would authorize placement of a question on the November ballot asking voters whether a constitutional convention should be held. Get the full story.
NJ Supreme Court Rules on Abbott Dispute
On April 29, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on a motion filed by the attorney general seeking to relax the mandate for whole school reform approved by the Court in Abbott vs. Burke (Abbott V) and ordered the parties in the case to mediate their dispute. Get the full story.
New Jersey Receives Approval On Accountability Plan Under No Child Left Behind
U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige last week approved New Jersey’s state accountability system which aligns with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Get the full story.
MAY 5
Put Children First!—all e-mail addresses.
MAY 7
Legislative Alert—all e-mail addresses.
MAY 8
NJSBA Census 2003—all e-mail addresses for school business administrators.
School Board Notes—all e-mail addresses and mailing addresses.
MAY 9
Public Relations Mini-Workshop Proposals—all e-mail addresses for board presidents, superintendents and school business administrators.
Training Programs and Resources
 Featured in This Week's Edition
New Board Member Orientation Conferences
Policy and Library Resources
NJSBA Field Services
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May 2—Bill Signed Into Law
S-1495 (Bryant / Cruz-Perez, Roberts)—

establishes the Ergonomics in Education Study Commission. NJSBA supported the legislation and will be included as one of the organizations that would be represented on the commission.

May 5—Legislative Action
A-3521 (Greenwald, Watson Coleman)—authorizes public school districts to borrow money, until June 30 of the school budget year, to cover the delayed final state education aid installment. NJSBA raised concerns over the reason this legislation is necessary. The bill was introduced, referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, heard and reported out of committee on May 5, and is now in a position to be voted on by the full Assembly. Get the full story.
MAY 22
Spring Dinner (Burlington), Radisson Hotel, Route 73, Mount Laurel, 6 p.m.
Spring Dinner (Ocean), Captain’s Inn, Forked River, 6 p.m.
Spring Dinner (Sussex), Lafayette House, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
MAY 26
Memorial Day, NJSBA Closed
For more information, visit county school boards association activities.
NJSBA Holds Communications Competition
NJSBA is currently seeking submissions for its annual School Communications Competition. The competition recognizes outstanding school district communications materials in various categories, including annual reports; audio-visual media; school calendars; finance publications; information guides and handbooks; magazines; newsletters; public relations projects; special purpose publications; district Web sites; and school exhibits at the annual Workshop. Get the full story.