Information for New Board Members
NJSBA—your Association—is here to listen to your concerns, develop effective solutions to the challenges you face, and help you grow in your role as a board member.
Resources for New Members
State Mandated Training – Governance I
New Jersey state law requires new school board members and charter school trustees to attend training within 90 days of taking office. Please note that if you previously were a board member and have had a break in service of three years or longer, you must complete Governance I again, and the same 90-day regulation applies.
Board members in the second and third years of a first term, and in the first year of a re-elected or reappointed term must also complete mandated training. The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) is the state-designated provider of Mandated Training, which is available at no cost to members.
NJSBA offers several methods for new board members to complete their training. For more information on programs, visit the Mandated Training webpage.
Membership Guide
As an elected or appointed school official, you have earned membership in a dynamic education association. This is your guide to the wealth of opportunities that NJSBA provides.
Helpful Information
3Rs: What to Expect When You’re Elected
Who Does What in Public School Governance
Remote Board Meetings: A Code of Conduct for Members
NJSBA Resources
Field Services
Your field service representative (FSR) is a wonderful resource and your district’s primary point of contact with NJSBA. Visit the Field Services web page to learn more. To find your FSR, use the “Find Your FSR” tool at the top of this page.
Labor Relations
NJSBA provides resources, training, and advice to help your district meet its labor relations challenges, including negotiations strategy, salary guide development, and responding to union activities. Visit the labor relations web page, and review the following document: Labor Relations for School Board Members: Too Important to Ignore
Policy
NJSBA Policy Services provides resources and direct assistance to guide your district in developing documents that meet state and federal requirements and reflect the local school board’s beliefs in education. Visit the policy web page, and review the document: Policy and You, The New School Board Member
NJSBA Cooperative Pricing System
The NJSBA cooperative pricing system eliminates the need for your district to undergo the competitive bidding process. The program, supported by the New Jersey Department of Education, and developed in cooperation with the N.J. Department of Community Affairs (DCA), enables school districts and member charter schools to purchase discounted school technology, COVID-19 related goods and services, professional development, and low-cost resources.
Legal
NJSBA attorneys provide training, legal information, and research, and lead NJSBA’s participation as a “friend of the court” in cases of statewide significance. To learn more, visit the legal web page.
Technology
The NJSBA TEC program provides cost-saving alternatives for creating, establishing, and continuing the most current digital learning opportunities available for students. Learn more on the NJSBA TEC web page.
NJSBA’s 3Rs: Roles, Resources, and Responsibilities
NJSBA hosts regional virtual programs designed to provide important information for new, and not-so-new board members. The programs cover a variety of topics and offer many opportunities to ask questions and network with board members from other districts. Visit our 3Rs page to learn more.
Fundamentals of School Board Membership
NJSBA’s anthology on the basics of board membership includes articles on topics ranging from board-superintendent relations and tips for new board members to the board’s role in curriculum and in finance. The book also includes a Glossary of Education Terms and Acronyms. This publication is available as a free PDF only to NJSBA members.