NJSBA Education News text in a red to blue gradient box

Notice from the NJSBA Officers and Leadership:

Next week, NJSBA officers and leadership will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Federal Advocacy Conference. This is an important opportunity for us to sit at the table with legislators and educational leaders from across the country, advocating for New Jersey’s students, schools and communities on the national stage.

As many of you know, NJSBA discontinued its membership with the National School Boards Association (NSBA) several years ago. That decision was rooted in our values, and those same values continue to guide how we think about national representation today. We owe it to our membership to keep exploring what’s out there with open eyes and good judgment, rather than settling into a single path by default.

In that spirit, immediately after the COSSBA conference, President Jacobs will attend a regional NSBA conference in Connecticut. Attending both conferences allows us to see the full landscape of national school board advocacy before drawing conclusions about where NJSBA belongs. Whatever we decide, we want it to reflect careful, values-driven consideration. 

When we return, we will share our thoughts and look forward to continuing this conversation. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and commitment.

NJSBA AT YOUR SERVICE

Workshop 2026 New Exhibit Floor Features

This year’s conference will offer multiple new features on the exhibit floor for you and your district team to partake in.

  • Central Bark: We are paw-sitive this area will be one of the most exciting locations on the exhibit floor! Decompress from a day of training with comforting service dogs. 
  • Achievement Arena: Located along the walkway to the Keynote Theater, this area will be the hub for popular awards programs such as the Unsung Superheroes in Education Awards and the finals for NJSBA’s elementary school and middle school STEAM Tank Challenge, and the Association Awards.
  • Postcard Port: This new AI photo area will put attendees at the center of all the action. Stop by to choose a destination and transport your photo into a larger-than-life adventure! 

View the Exhibit Floor here: NJSBA Workshop 2026 | Floor Plan

School Board Notes

School-Board-Notes, Sept.,15, 2026

Lead Story: Check out the Next What’s Brewing in Education Law: Coffee Talk with Kathy and Caitlin. For NJSBA Education News anytime, visit the NJSBA website homepage, and scroll down to News and Resources.

NJSBA Traditional State and National News text in a red to blue gradient box
Sept., 17  
Courier-Post Cherry Hill
Cinnaminson school referendum trails by 22 votes in unofficial results (MSN.com) Voters in Burlington County appear to have shot down the referendum, according to the unofficial election results posted publicly on the Burlington County government website. But the results are close, with only 22 votes swinging the election, and school officials haven’t publicly conceded defeat.  

Voters OK $158 million Morris School plan. Voters in Morristown and Morris Township went to the polls on Sept. 15 and overwhelmingly approved a $158 million referendum to fund infrastructure projects in the district’s 10 schools.  

NJ.com
NJSIAA makes ruling on controversial N.J. charter school – nj.com The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Executive Committee approved a proposal that will move a controversial charter school up to Group 2 in boys basketball for the 2026-27 season, a decision officials said was necessary to maintain competitive balance and protect the integrity of state tournament competition.  

NJ Spotlight News
NJ’s credit rating rises as pension funding continues to flow Rating upgrades often lead to lower borrowing costs, resulting in savings for New Jersey taxpayers.  

New Jersey Monitor
Judge dismisses NJ school board member’s free speech lawsuit • New Jersey Monitor A federal judge has dismissed an Alloway school board member’s lawsuit alleging state officials had impermissibly restrained her speech over an ethics complaint prompted by comments about board matters that she made publicly.  

NorthJersey.com
Make Your Speech: Students invited to share their vision for America (Yahoo.com) This year, in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, USA TODAY has partnered with SUNN – a non-profit organization publishing the nation’s best student journalism and civic media – to launch a series of three contests calling on middle and high schoolers to share their vision of America.  

Sept., 18  
Burlington County Times
Deerfield school bond referendum of $2M passed by voters On Sept. 15, polls closed at 8 p.m. for Deerfield Township residents. According to the unofficial election summary report sent to the Courier-Post by Deerfield Township school officials, the bond proposal passed overwhelmingly.  

MyCentralJersey.com
NJSIAA calls official’s use of slur inappropriate, closes case (MSN.com) A football official’s use of a racial slur before a Sept. 4 game between Metuchen and New Brunswick high schools was “unnecessary and inappropriate,” the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association concluded following an investigation.  

New Jersey Monitor
Violent victimization at school rose among students in 2024, federal data show Students ages 12 to 18 experienced higher rates of reported crime at school than away from school in 2024, according to a new federal analysis. But the overall rate of crime victimization at school has not changed significantly since 2014.
NJSBA Hyper Local News text in a red to blue gradient box
Sept., 17  
TAPinto.net
Berkeley Heights Public Schools Celebrate GLHS 2026 Student Achievement in AP Capstone Program 18 students earned a 3 or higher on both the AP Seminar and AP Research exams, and 17 of those students earned an AP Capstone Diploma because they took 4 additional AP classes and earned a 3 or higher on those exams.  
Caldwell Honored by EZ Ride for Safe Routes to School Achievements The event recognizes municipalities and organizations in New Jersey that prioritize mobility, safety and sustainability. Caldwell’s award was earned via the borough’s efforts at improving pedestrian and bicycle access for students and residents through its Safe Routes to School initiatives.  

Sept., 18  
Strong Men. Strong Head Start  Fathers and male caregivers walk alongside young learners for Dad Walk Your Child to School Day 2026.  

Union High Students Partner with Kean Univ. on AI, Financial Literacy Research Students will examine AI-generated financial advice and learn to identify inaccurate or misleading information.  

Chronic Absenteeism Improving But Still Requires Corrective Action Plan in Sparta Schools for 2026 Attendance is improving but all five Sparta public schools must again implement a correct action plan to address chronic absenteeism, according to Sparta Schools Superintendent Matthew Beck. This is the third school year that Sparta needs to implement this CAP.   

Ocean Township Voters to Decide on $12.7 Million School Bond Referendum This November Voters in Ocean Township will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide on a $12.7 million bond referendum aimed at funding critical infrastructure updates across the district’s two schools.