School Board Notes
New Jersey's weekly education report offers up-to-date information on legislation, court decisions and other developments affecting school districts.
August 22, 2023 • VOL. XLVII NO. 5
Articles
School Ethics Commission Adopts Six Decisions at July Meeting
At the School Ethics Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting July 25, 2023, six decisions were adopted. Of the six decisions, four resulted in the dismissal of the ethics charges that had been filed against the named respondents, all of whom were board members.
Board President’s Corner: How Should I Respond to a Surprise Motion by a Board Member?
Even if you operate as a board of the whole, you should never act on a motion that has not been placed on the agenda. Every board member should have a chance to research the issue at hand.
Acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education to Deliver Keynote Address at Workshop 2023
Acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan will speak at Workshop 2023, addressing attendees at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the keynote theater.
New Jersey Department of Education Announces 2023-2024 County Teachers of the Year
The New Jersey Department of Education recently announced the 21 educators who have been named New Jersey’s 2023-2024 County Teachers of the Year.
NJDOE and Rutgers Partnership Aims to Strengthen Mental Health Supports in New Jersey Schools
The NJDOE is partnering with the Rutgers University Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health on the Enhancing School Mental Health Services Project, which will provide three years of intensive training to staff in 50 selected schools.
New Jersey Department of Children and Families Offers Additional Information on NJ4S
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families recently sent a letter to local educational agency leads and the directors of nonpublic schools to provide additional information about the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services network, otherwise known as NJ4S.
NJSBA’s Mandated Training Day Returns This September
The New Jersey School Boards Association will host a mandated training day on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. This program will be offered both virtually and in-person.
Virtual Labor & Employment Summit Designed for Key Players in Education
This cutting-edge virtual event will feature informative sessions with presentations to cover critical labor and employment topics for school districts.
First Notice: Delegate Assembly Resolution Deadline
The Delegate Assembly, which is the Association’s policymaking body, is scheduled to convene Dec. 2, 2023. Resolutions for the meeting must be received at NJSBA’s office by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28.
New Jersey Department of Agriculture Highlights Summer Food Service
According to the Food Research & Action Center, New Jersey is ranked No. 1 in the nation for providing summer lunch to children from households who participated in school year lunch.
New Jersey Schools Must Complete Holocaust Survey by Oct. 16
Every district, charter and renaissance school must complete the online New Jersey Holocaust Mandate Survey within 60 days of receipt, or no later than Oct. 16, 2023, the New Jersey Department of Education noted in an advisory.
NJDOE Provides Instructions for Filing Chapter 408 Applications
The New Jersey State Department of Treasury’s Division of Pensions and Benefits has released a Notice to Certifying Officers regarding the one-year extension of Chapter 408 for the 2023-2024 school year.
NJDOE Issues Details on the Revised Election Calendar for Districts Holding November Elections or Special Elections
The revised Election Calendar for special elections can be accessed through the link on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of School Finance webpage.
NJDOE Provides Guidance on Collaboration with Head Start Programs
Local educational agencies receiving funding through preschool education aid are required to contract with every willing Head Start program that is able to meet the requirements for the number of eligible preschool students in the local Head Start catchment area determined by the federal government.
U.S. Department of Education Announces $25M High School Grant Program
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the launch of a new $25 million Career Connected High School Grant program at the Unlocking Pathways Summit in Aurora, Colorado.
SchoolSafety.gov Awareness Campaign to Support Schools with Safety Resources
Through the campaign, school administrators and personnel, teachers, parents and guardians, and state and local government officials will learn about school safety resources available at SchoolSafety.gov.
Local Finance Notice Highlights Changes to Pay-to-Play Laws
The Elections Transparency Act made various significant changes to New Jersey’s pay-to-play laws. Local Finance Notice 2023-14 explains the law and its impacts on non-fair and open contract awards, along with other areas such as the elimination of local pay-to-play policies.
Notice Regarding Entities Engaged in Activities in Russia and Belarus
Contracting units under the Local Public Contracts Law, Public School Contracts Law and County College Contracts Law are not required to enforce the Russia-Belarus vendor/contractor certification requirement at this time.