February is a critical time in the school budget development process. To help districts prepare, the New Jersey School Boards Association is offering its second annual School Finance Conference on Thursday, Feb. 21. The program will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the Conference Center at Mercer, 1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, N.J. 08550.

Michael Vrancik, NJSBA’s director of governmental relations, will provide an update on the status of state school aid and late-breaking developments in the area of health benefits programs pertaining to local boards of education. The session will include updates on legislative or executive branch initiatives relating to school finance, and all other significant developments of importance to school board members, administrators, attorneys and any other interested district employees.

Additional sessions include breakout sessions on hot topics in school finance, roundtable discussions during the networking “Lunch and Learn,” a closing panel discussion and question-and-answer session. During the closing session, an expert-led panel will provide real-world, practical insight on cost-saving measures, procurement, health care, and more.

Cost/RegistrationInformation The cost is $99 per person. Registration of school board members and other district staff who have been reported to NJSBA through the completion of the district census form may be completed online, but only by the school business administrator, who must attach a scanned copy of the purchase order with the registration.

Who should attend? School board members, business administrators, superintendents, school human resource professionals, and district staff members with an interest in school finance, employee health care, and procurement.

For questions regarding this program, please email Lou Schimenti.