State-Level Advocacy

Legislative Committee Meeting Features Two Legislators, Includes Discussion of Proposed Budget – School Board Notes, March 7, 2023

The New Jersey School Boards Association’s Legislative Committee met virtually Saturday, March 4, to learn about important developments in the Legislature and also heard from two special guests: Sen. Andrew Zwicker and Assemblywoman Sadaf F. Jaffer.

SBOE Update: New Jersey State Board of Education Acts on Various Items – School Board Notes, March 7, 2023

At its March meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and took action on various items including approval to place the regulations concerning equality and equity in education at the proposal level.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee, Assembly Appropriations Committee and Full Senate and Assembly Advance Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, February 28, 2023

The Senate Education Committee convened to consider various proposals aimed at enhancing student mental health, the Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced, a handful of education-related bills, including one that would make various changes to state laws governing school facility projects. Lastly, the full Senate and General Assembly both held voting sessions to advance various pieces of legislation relating to PreK-12 education.

Governor’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Includes $11B for K-12 Schools – School Board Notes, February 28, 2023

Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his fiscal year 2024 budget address on Tuesday, Feb. 28, proposing that the state spend an additional $832 million in K-12 formula aid. That would mean about $11 billion of the overall $53.1 billion spending plan would go toward direct K-12 aid.

Legislative Update: Assembly Education and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees Advance Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, February 14, 2023

On Feb. 9 and 13, the Assembly Education and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, respectively, met to advance various pieces of legislation relating to PreK-12 education, including one that would make various changes to the laws governing school facilities projects and the operations of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

NJSBA Goes to Washington – School Board Notes, February 7, 2023

Last week, school leaders from across New Jersey traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a national advocacy conference. The final day was set aside as a day for attendees to meet with their congressional representatives and advocate for ways that our federal policy makers can support local boards of education and public school students.

SBOE Update: State Board Adopts Updated School Ethics Regulations, Passes Resolution in Honor of CTE Month – School Board Notes, February 7, 2023

At its monthly meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and acted on several items, including final adoption of regulations concerning the School Ethics Commission and board member training requirements.

SBOE Update: State Board of Education Acts on Various Items at January Meeting – School Board Notes, January 18, 2023

In addition to passing its resolution in honor of New Jersey School Board Recognition Month, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and acted on the various items at its Jan. 11 meeting.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee, Assembly Financial Institutions Committee Advance Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, January 18, 2023

On Jan. 12, the Senate Education Committee convened for the first time in 2023 to advance various measures related to PreK-12 education, including one that would provide tutoring opportunities to students and is aimed at mitigating the effects of learning loss or interrupted learning as a result of COVID-19.

Legislative Update: Gov. Phil Murphy Signs First in the Nation K-12 Information Literacy Education Legislation – School Board Notes, January 10, 2023

Gov. Phil Murphy signed S-588 into law (P.L.2022, c.138), requiring school districts to incorporate instruction on information literacy in an appropriate place in the K-12 curriculum as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Legislative Update: Gun Safety Law Establishes Additional Restrictions at Schools, on School Buses and Elsewhere – School Board Notes, January 4, 2023

On Dec. 22, 2022, Gov. Phil Murphy signed A-4769/S-3214 into law (P.L.2022, c.131). The new law strengthens the state’s handgun carry standards by creating additional disqualifiers for those eligible for a carry permit and expanding the list of sensitive places where individuals cannot carry firearms, including schools and school buses.

Legislative Update: Governor Signs Bill Eliminating the edTPA Requirement; Assembly Passes Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, December 20, 2022

Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law S-896/A-677, which eliminates the requirement that teaching candidates pass the edTPA to earn certification and is intended to alleviate the growing teacher shortage in New Jersey.

Three Assemblywomen Headline Legislative Committee Meeting – School Board Notes, December 13, 2022

The New Jersey School Boards Association held a Legislative Committee meeting Dec. 10, and heard from Assemblywomen Kim Eulner (LD11), Marilyn Piperno (LD11), and Michele Matsikoudis (LD21) on a variety of topics. NJSBA staff also delivered a detailed update on legislative developments as they pertain to public education.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Numerous Items at December Meeting – School Board Notes, December 13, 2022

In addition to taking action on several items, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates on the NJDOE’s “New Jersey Partnership for Student Success” initiative and received an overview of the 2021 statewide assessment data.

Legislative Update: Assembly Education and Human Services Committees Advance Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, December 13, 2022

On Dec. 8, the Assembly Education Committee and the Assembly Human Services Committee approved various bills concerning Pre-K-12 education. One bill which would revise various provisions of law governing construction of school facilities projects and operations of the NJ Schools Development Authority. Another would establish a grant to provide high-impact tutoring opportunities to mitigate the effects of interrupted learning due to COVID-19.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee Advances Various Measures; Governor Signs School Mapping Bill – School Board Notes, December 6, 2022

Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a school security initiative that directs all public and nonpublic schools in the state to submit critical incident mapping data to local law enforcement in an electronic format. The Senate Education Committee and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee also met to approve various education measures.

Legislative Update: Senate Sends Information Literacy Standards Bill to Governor’s Desk, Approves Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, November 22, 2022

On Nov. 21, the New Jersey Senate held a voting session that gave final legislative approval to a bill requiring the State Board of Education to adopt academic standards in information literacy, among other actions.

SBOE Update: State Board of Education Acts on Numerous Items at November Meeting – School Board Notes, November 15, 2022

At its November meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education discussed and acted on regulatory proposals concerning educator preparation programs and certification as well as bilingual education.

Executive Order Establishes Task Force to Address Public School Staff Shortages – School Board Notes, November 15, 2022

Gov. Phil Murphy announced at the annual New Jersey Education Association convention on Nov. 10 that he has signed an executive order establishing a task force to help address the challenges facing our educational workforce.

Gov. Phil Murphy Meets with Education Group – School Board Notes, November 9, 2022

On Wednesday, Nov. 2, Gov. Phil Murphy met with members of the LEE Group, a group of New Jersey educational organizations. Among the attendees were Irene LeFebvre, president of the New Jersey School Boards Association; and Dr. Timothy Purnell, NJSBA’s executive director.

Legislative Update: Assembly Sends School Security Bill to Governor; Senate Education and Transportation Committees Advance Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, November 1, 2022

On Oct. 27, the General Assembly held a voting session and gave final legislative approval to a bill designed to assist law enforcement in responding to school emergencies. The Senate Education Committee considered a bill, among several others, that would establish a “High Efficiency Accelerated Learning Grant Program” to support tutoring opportunities to mitigate the effects of interrupted learning due to COVID-19.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Numerous Items at Monthly Meeting – School Board Notes, October 18, 2022

The New Jersey State Board of Education met for its October monthly meeting, discussing and acting on numerous items, including a resolution recognizing National Principals Month. The State Board also recognized the 2022-2023 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.

NJSBA Submits Feedback on Student Mental Health Proposal; Comment Period Extended – School Board Notes, October 18, 2022

The New Jersey School Boards Association is urging the Murphy administration to preserve the existing School Based Youth Services Program, while increasing investments in programs and services that will enhance student mental health.

Legislative Update: Assembly Education Committee Holds Hearing on Learning Acceleration and School Facilities Bill; Senate Approves Various Education Measures – School Board Notes, October 18, 2022

On Oct. 17, 2022, the Assembly Education Committee hosted a hearing on the issue of interrupted learning as a result of COVID-19. The committee also discussed – but did not vote on – A-4496, a bill that would make various revisions to school facility project processes and to the operations of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. The Senate and various other Assembly committees also met over the last week to approve bills that would impact K-12 education.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee Returns from Summer Break – School Board Notes, October 4, 2022

On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Senate Education Committee met for the first time since June to consider various pieces of legislation that would impact public schools. Various other committees also met to consider education-related bills, including the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee; the Senate Labor Committee; the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee; and the Senate Transportation Committee.

Legislative Update: Governor Conditionally Vetoes edTPA Bill; Assembly Education Committee Returns from Summer Break – School Board Notes, September 27, 2022

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Assembly Education Committee returned from summer recess to consider a variety of bills affecting school districts. On the same day, Gov. Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed S-896, which, as initially passed by the Legislature, would have prohibited the state from requiring completion of a performance-based assessment – currently the edTPA – as a requirement for certification.

School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission Approves Premium Hikes – School Board Notes, September 20, 2022

On Monday, Sept.  19, the New Jersey School Boards Association expressed its disappointment concerning the approval of double-digit premium increases in the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program for the plan year beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Items at September Meeting – School Board Notes, September 20, 2022

he New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and acted on various items at its September Board meeting, including returning the Jersey City School District to full local control.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin Speaks at NJSBA Legislative Committee Meeting – School Board Notes, September 20, 2022

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) highlighted recent legislative developments and answered numerous questions at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Legislative Committee meeting Sept. 17.

Legislative Update: Governor Signs Legislation Expanding Access to School Meals – School Board Notes, September 13, 2022

On Sept. 9, 2022, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law two measures designed to combat hunger and food insecurity by expanding access to school meals.

NJDOE Extends Testing Window for Fall 2022 Start Strong Assessment – School Board Notes, September 7, 2022

The New Jersey Department of Education announced Aug. 31 that it has extended the end of the testing window of the fall 2022 Start Strong assessment by three weeks to Oct. 21, 2022. The announcement follows the New Jersey School Boards Association’s teaming up with eight other organizations in urging the NJDOE to rethink its approach to the assessment.

NJSBA Joins Other Leading Groups in Calling for the NJDOE to Rethink ‘Start Strong’ Assessment – School Board Notes, August 23, 2022

The New Jersey School Boards Association joined eight other organizations dedicated to promoting student achievement in calling for the New Jersey Department of Education to rethink its approach to the Start Strong assessment.

NJSBA Issues Sample Resolution Opposing SEHBP Rate Hikes – School Board Notes, August 9, 2022

As more details have emerged on the proposed premium increases for the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program and State Health Benefits Program, the New Jersey School Boards Association has drafted a sample resolution boards of education can adopt to express their opposition to the exorbitant rate hikes.

Gov. Murphy Signs School Threat Assessment Legislation, Other Measures – School Board Notes, August 9, 2022

In the first week of August, Gov. Phil Murphy signed school security-related legislation requiring each school district to develop a policy for the establishment of a threat assessment teams. He also signed a bill that will fund an electric school bus pilot program.

State Budget Provides Districts $420M in Extraordinary Special Education Aid for Costs Incurred in 2021-2022 School Year – School Board Notes, July 26, 2022

he New Jersey School Boards Association has made increasing extraordinary special education aid a top priority for several years.

NJSBA Raises Concerns about Potential Increases in School Employees’ Health Program Rates – School Board Notes, July 26, 2022

While the final premium rates for the plan year beginning Jan. 1, 2023, have not been made public, there are reports that those increases will be in the double-digit range, as will the premiums for the State Health Benefits Program.

SBOE Update: New Jersey State Board of Education Elects Officers – School Board Notes, July 7, 2022

At its monthly meeting, the State Board elected Kathy Goldenberg as president and Andrew Mulvihill as vice president. Ms. Goldenberg is a former local school board member from Moorestown. This will be the fourth term for each in their respective positions.

Legislative Update: Gov. Murphy Signs State Budget; Various Education Priorities Move to Governor’s Desk Before Summer Recess – School Board Notes, July 7, 2022

On Wednesday, June 29, both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature held voting sessions that sent the state fiscal year 2023 appropriations act and various education measures to the governor’s desk. The following day, the new state budget was signed along with a separate measure that would make the NJ Graduation  Proficiency Assessment a field test for the class of 2023.

Legislative Update: Budget Committees Approve Fiscal Year 2023 Spending Bills – School Board Notes, June 28, 2022

On Monday, June 27, both budget committees of the New Jersey Legislature approved the state appropriations act for fiscal year 2023. The measures, S-2023/A-4402, would appropriate more than $50 billion while providing a total of $18.6 billion to the New Jersey Department of Education, a 3% increase over the fiscal year 2022 budget. See the full article for a summary of the budget’s education-related highlights.

Legislative Update: Electric School Bus Measure Among Those Sent to Governor – School Board Notes, June 22, 2022

Both the Senate and General Assembly convened at the State House on June 16 and held voting sessions. The Senate Education Committee also met on June 20 and advanced legislation that would alter existing high school graduation assessment requirements.

Legislative Update: Mental Health and School Security Measures Advance; Legislature Continues to Push School Bus Driver Shortage Bills – School Board Notes, June 14, 2022

On June 9, several committees convened and advanced various measures affecting New Jersey school districts.

SBOE Update: State Board of Education Acts on School Ethics, Teacher Certification, and Numerous Other Items – School Board Notes, June 7, 2022

At its monthly meeting, the Board advanced a School Ethics proposal that seeks to ensure and preserve confidence in the integrity of elected and appointed members of a district board of education.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee Advances Measures on Educator Recruitment, Environmental Sustainability, Information Literacy, and Others – School Board Notes, June 7, 2022

On Thursday, June 2, the Senate Education Committee met and approved ten measures affecting New Jersey school districts.

Legislative Update: School Meal Expansion, Electric School Bus, and Emergency Bonding Authority Measures Advance – School Board Notes, June 1, 2022

On May 26, both the Senate and the Assembly held their first voting sessions since the Legislature returned from budget break.

Legislative Update: Curriculum Transparency, Electric School Bus Measures Continue to Advance; Educator Recruitment Package Clears Assembly Education Committee – School Board Notes, May 24, 2022

On May 19, the Assembly Education Committee, Higher Education Committee, Women and Children Committee, and Appropriations Committee convened at the State House and advanced the various measures affecting New Jersey school districts.

Legislative Update: Measures to Alleviate Bus Driver Shortage, Promote Electric School Buses Clear Committee – School Board Notes, May 17, 2022

On May 12, the Assembly Transportation & Independent Authorities Committee advanced legislation that would allow drivers to operate van-type school buses without first obtaining a CDL.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Numerous Items at May Meeting – School Board Notes, May 10, 2022

At the regular meeting of the State Board of Education, the commissioner of education addressed the recent controversy concerning the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Assembly Republican Leader Speaks at NJSBA Legislative Committee Meeting – School Board Notes, May 10, 2022

Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio emphasized the need for more education funding to provide property tax relief at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Legislative Committee meeting May 7.

Legislative Update: Senate Education Committee Meets as Legislature Returns from Budget Break – School Board Notes, May 10, 2022

On Monday, May 9, the Legislature returned to the State House for its first non-budget related committee meeting since mid-March. The Senate Education Committee was among those that met and advanced numerous measures.

Acting Commissioner of Education Testifies in Support of Governor’s Budget at Senate Budget Meeting – School Board Notes, May 3, 2022

Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, spoke in support of Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed fiscal year 2023 budget at a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting April 28.

SBOE Update: State Board of Education Acts on Numerous Items at April Meeting – School Board Notes, April 12, 2022

Among other agenda items, the New Jersey Department of Education released school performance and graduation data for 2020-2021. The NJSBA also provided testimony on a proposal that would make various changes to the regulations governing school ethics.

Acting Commissioner of Education, SDA Chief Highlight Items in Governor’s Proposed Budget – School Board Notes, April 12, 2022

Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, joined several other state officials in speaking about Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed fiscal year 2023 budget at an April 11 Assembly Budget Committee meeting.

NJSBA Advocates for Members During Virtual Visit to Capitol Hill – School Board Notes, April 5, 2022

Leaders from the New Jersey School Boards Association and board members from throughout the state met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their staff March 30 as part of a virtual visit to Capitol Hill.

NJSBA Testifies at Assembly Budget Hearing – School Board Notes, March 29, 2022

These hearings provide advocates and members of the public an opportunity to weigh in on Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed $49.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2023, which includes over $19 billion in overall school aid, of which $9.9 billion is sent to school districts as formula aid. Jonathan Pushman, director of governmental relations at the New Jersey School Boards Association, testified on behalf of the Association.

Legislative Update: Senate Approves edTPA Elimination Measure; Assembly Passes Bill to Make Graduation Exit Exam a Field Test – School Board Notes, March 29, 2022

Both houses of the Legislature held voting sessions on Thursday, March 24. An NJSBA-backed measure that would eliminate completion of the edTPA assessment as a condition for teacher licensure was among the various education proposals that advanced.

Legislative Update: Assembly Education Committee Meets; FAFSA Graduation Requirement Advances – School Board Notes, March 15, 2022

On Thursday, March 10, the Assembly Education Committee met and advanced numerous measures. The Assembly Higher Education also met and approved a FAFSA graduation requirement that NJSBA has expressed concerns on.

Governor’s Budget Address Highlights Investments in Education – School Board Notes, March 8, 2022

New Jersey’s fiscal 2023 budget will dedicate about 24% of its total expenditures to direct aid to education, Gov. Phil Murphy said in his annual budget address March 8, emphasizing how those investments would ease property taxes for New Jersey residents.

Legislative Update: Governor Signs COVID-Related Special Education Claims Measure, Remote Instruction Bill Advances, Senate Education Committee Meets – School Board Notes, March 8, 2022

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. The Senate approved legislation designed to provide districts with a broader use of remote instruction.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Numerous Items at March Meeting – School Board Notes, March 8, 2022

At its regular monthly, the State Board approved two resolutions – one recognizing March as Gifted and Talented Students Month, and another recognizing March 11 as Social and Emotional Learning Day. It also took action on items regarding education homeless students, religious holidays, the Bridge Year program and updates to the school ethics regulations.

NJSBA Legislative Committee Reviews Important Legislation and Welcomes a Special Guest – School Board Notes, March 1, 2022

The Legislative Committee of the New Jersey School Boards Association held a virtual meeting Saturday, Feb. 26, with state Sen. Vin Gopal of Legislative District 11, chair of the Senate Education Committee, addressing stakeholders on a variety of issues.

NJSBA Testifies on Teacher Shortage – School Board Notes, March 1, 2022

On Feb. 22, representatives from the New Jersey School Boards Association testified about the ongoing teacher shortage and its impact on student achievement at a meeting of the Joint Committee of the Public Schools.

Legislative Update: COVID-Related Special Education Claims Measure Heads to Governor – School Board Notes, February 23, 2022

On Monday, Feb. 28, the Assembly gave final legislative approval to a bill that would 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.

Legislative Update: Governor’s Budget Address Postponed to March 8 – School Board Notes, February 15, 2022

On Monday, Feb. 14, both houses of the Legislature approved legislation (S-1414/A-2063) that will delay the delivery of the governor’s budget message for fiscal year 2023 by two weeks.

Legislative Update: Education Committees Hold First Hearings of New Session – School Board Notes, February 8, 2022

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the Senate Education Committee held its first meeting of the 2022-2023 legislative session, which was also the first one presided over by its new chair, Sen. Vin Gopal. In addition, the Assembly Education Committee, which continues to be led by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, convened for its first meeting on Monday, Feb 7.

SBOE Update: State Board Acts on Numerous Items at February Meeting – School Board Notes, February 8, 2022

At its February meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and acted on the following items: NJGPA Cut-off scores, career and technical education programs, the new “limited” certification pilot program, the Bridge Year Pilot Program, and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

NJSBA Board of Directors Approves Advocacy Agenda and Action Plan – School Board Notes, February 2, 2022

The NJSBA Board of Directors met virtually on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, and approved the 2022-2023 advocacy agenda and action plan that coincides with the new two-year legislative session at the State House.