• Board members broke into small groups to further their learning at the NJSBA's New Board Member Orientation Weekend.

Almost 100 board members attended the New Jersey School Boards Association’s New Board Member Orientation Weekend at the Crowne Plaza Princeton Conference Center from Friday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 25.

During the training session, the New Jersey School Boards Association provided support in the form of resources, training and advocacy to help board members tackle their role efficiently and effectively.

Board members learned how to effectively fulfill their responsibilities while attending large and small group sessions on topics including school law, policy, the School Ethics Act, ways to improve student achievement, school finance, labor relations, the board-superintendent relationship and advocacy.

Pursuant to the School Ethics Act, every newly elected school board member is required to participate in an orientation course within their first 90 days of service.

Best of all, this program was free. Costs, including all meals, materials and hotel stay, were underwritten by a grant from the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey.