School Board Notes
New Jersey's weekly education report offers up-to-date information on legislation, court decisions and other developments affecting school districts.
March 8, 2022 • Vol. XLV No. 29
Articles
Legislative Update: Governor Signs COVID-Related Special Education Claims Measure, Remote Instruction Bill Advances, Senate Education Committee Meets
On March 3, Gov. Phil Murphy approved legislation that will give parents and school districts additional time to settle any disputes concerning the provision of special education services while schools were providing instruction in a predominantly remote or hybrid environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Biden Calls Attention to Mental Health in Children, Learning Loss and Childcare Costs in State of the Union
Noting that the lives and education of children “have been turned upside down,” the president called attention to the American Rescue Plan, which has provided funding for schools to hire teachers and help students make up for lost learning.
Part III of the Wind Down Session in the Empowerment Series Scheduled for March 23
Managing District Personnel and Performance Evaluations is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. It is the third in a series of monthly training sessions.
State Board Acts on Numerous Items at March Meeting
The New Jersey State Board of Education acted on numerous items at its March 2 meeting, which was held virtually amid ongoing health concerns.
NJSBA Updates Policy on Face Coverings
The New Jersey School Boards Association is providing resources for boards of education considering options for masking.
Arts Ed NJ Issues ‘March Forward Spring 2022 Guidance for Arts Education’
Arts Ed NJ, a statewide arts education resource, policy and advocacy organization, has suspended mitigation guidance for schools designated as “mask optional” effective March 7.
Call for Entries: 2022 Innovations in Special Education Award Program
Highlight your school’s exemplary programs and services for students with special needs by entering the 2022 Innovations in Special Education Award program.
Notice of a Virtual Meeting of the NJSBA Board of Directors
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice is hereby provided that the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2022, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely.
Save the Dates for Youth Engagement Week
The school community is urged to take note of Gov. Phil Murphy’s Youth Engagement Week: “Engaging Today Brings Change Tomorrow,” from March 21 to March 25.
Governor Signs Executive Order Lifting COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the signing of Executive Order No. 292 at a March 4 media briefing, which lifts the COVID-19 public health emergency in addition to the statewide school and daycare mask mandate, effective March 7.
NJSBA Joins Others in Celebrating School Social Work Week
The New Jersey School Boards Association joins the School Social Work Association of America, the New Jersey Department of Education and other education groups in celebrating School Social Work Week, March 6-12.
Comments Sought on Rule Proposal Relevant to School Boards
The Division of Local Government Services is seeking comments by April 23 on a rule proposal that amends various portions of N.J.A.C. 5:32, which pertains to the licensure of certain government officers.
Reminder on Testing for Lead in Drinking Water
Covered entities are required to test for lead in drinking water during the designated 2021-2022 testing year by June 30, 2022, as outlined on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water webpage.
James Sena, Former President of Warren Township Board, Dies
James Sena, a former president of the Warren Township Board of Education in Somerset County, died at home March 5. He was 66 years old.