The spring issue of NJSBA’s School Leader magazine is on the NJSBA website and headed to members’ mailboxes.
The cover story takes a look at what board members need to know about school finance and the school budget process to exercise effective oversight.
The article discusses what board members should look for in their district’s proposed budget and the annual audit of district finances, as well as how to communicate with the public about finances, and the impact of COVID-19 on school finances.
In writing the piece, Thomas Parmalee, NJSBA managing editor, spoke with Ronald Sanasac, assistant superintendent for business administration at Howell Township schools; Tammy Smith, NJSBA vice president for finance and a member of the Knowlton board; Kerri Wright, a Chester board member, an attorney and New Jersey’s current Board Member of the Year; and Alix Hayes, a member of the Ocean Township board and vice president for legislation of the Monmouth County School Boards Association.
Navigating Your Board’s Public Comment Period The magazine also features an article on strategies for handling the public comment period at board of education meetings. The timely guidance can help districts during this period of increasingly contentious board meetings.
This edition also spotlights how the Belleville district has added two new electric buses to its fleet, trends in school security, and how the Bound Brook and Linden districts are enhancing students’ social-emotional well-being.
School Leader is published four times a year and sent to all board members in the state. Back issues are archived here.