State Supreme Court Upholds Facilities Financing
In a decision issued August 21, Lonegan vs. State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Education Facilities Construction and Financing Act. The Court held that the act was enacted by the Legislature in reliance on the Court’s prior decisions, including Abbott vs. Burke, and in compliance with the mandate found in the education provision of the New Jersey Constitution. NJSBA participated in this case as an amicus curiae or “friend of the court” at the Appellate Division and Supreme Court levels. Get the full story.
Random Drug Testing Policy Does Not Violate Constitution
The Hunterdon Central Regional High School Board of Education has prevailed in the matter of Joye vs. Hunterdon Central Regional School Board of Education, a constitutional challenge to the board’s random drug testing policy. NJSBA filed an amicus curiae brief, assisting the board’s defense of its policy providing for testing of student athletes, students engaged in extracurricular activities, and those holding permits to park on campus. Get the full story.
School Board Recognition 2002 logo Something New at Workshop
New Workshop Registration Procedures In order to ease the lines at Workshop registration, all registrants whose names are received by September 30 will have their badges mailed ahead of time to their district’s board secretary/school business official. The envelope containing the badges will have the Annual Workshop logo on it and will be stamped, “Attention: Workshop Badges Enclosed.” The badges are to be given to the appropriate board members and administrators. Get the full story.
Bill Requiring Transfer of Student Disciplinary Records Become Law
In his role as Acting Governor in the absence of Governor James E. McGreevey on August 6, Republican Senate President John O. Bennett signed into law a bill designed to promote school safety. Supported by NJSBA, the new law gives school districts the authority to request disciplinary records of transfer students from their previous schools. State law previously required parental consent before the records could be obtained. Get the full story.
Governor McGreevey Signs Nonpublic School Transportation Law
Last month, Governor James E. McGreevey signed into law S-1718, which requires certain school districts in Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Salem, Sussex and Warren counties to provide remote transportation for nonpublic school students within a 30-mile radius of the pupil’s residence. Under current law, the radius is limited to 20 miles. Get the full story.
NJSBA Board of Directors to Meet
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided of a meeting of the NJSBA Board of Directors. The meeting will be held on September 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, Exit 8A on the New Jersey Turnpike in Jamesburg. This meeting is open to the public. Get the full story.
SEPTEMBER 12
General Membership Meeting (Atlantic)
Absegami H.S.,
Galloway Twp., 6:30 p.m.
Fall Dinner Meeting (Warren) Charlie Brown's, Hackettstown, 6:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 13
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Audit Committee Meeting, Courtyard Marriott, Jamesburg, 6:00 p.m.
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Board of Directors Meeting, Courtyard Marriott, Jamesburg, 7:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 13-15
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA New Board Member Orientation, Doral Forrestal, Princeton
SEPTEMBER 14
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting NJSBA Board of Directors Training, Courtyard Marriott, Jamesburg, 9:00 p.m.
Indicates an NJSBA Meeting Presidents & Vice Presidents Roundtable (Hunterdon) Union Hotel, Flemington, 9:30 p.m.
For more information, visit county school boards association activities.
No Child Left Behind Updates NJSBA is continuing its efforts to monitor the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In an effort to keep our membership informed of the act’s requirements, recent developments and implications for school districts, NJSBA has updated its Resource Guide to the No Child Left Behind Act, located on the NJSBA Web site.
     The resource guide has been developed to serve as a central source of information for New Jersey’s school board members and school administrators.
     Recent additions to the guide include links to three recently released NSBA resource documents, including:

• Timetable and Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Local School Boards

• Policy Guidelines for Local School Boards

• Notification and Reporting Requirements for Local School Boards

    Board members and school administrators should find these resource documents helpful as the school year begins and with it, the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act.
    Click here to access the guide.
Corrections
The 2002-2003 Board Member Reminder pocket calendar, which was recently mailed to all board members, listed the incorrect conference for January 31, 2003. The correct program is Advanced Boardsmanship, which will run from January 31 to February 2.

In addition, the County Association Leadership meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2002.