NJSBA NEWS & INFORMATION
School Board Notes, 3/18/25
Senate Education Committee Meets as Budget Hearings Begin
NEW JERSEY EDUCATION NEWS
Asbury Park Press / MSN.com
Budget-strapped Lakewood school board rejects “irresponsible” budget. Now what?
The Board of Education unanimously rejected a proposed $307.3 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year that would have included job cuts, school closings and a request for a $130 million state loan.
Chalkbeat
NJ officials encourage Newark youth to vote in school board election
The voter registration drive at Newark’s School of Data Science and Information Technology had pizza, a DJ blasting music throughout the school’s gym, and a surprise appearance by award-winning rapper and recording artist A Boogie With da Hoodie. It also included elected officials – from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
NJ.com / MSN.com
Biggest losers in N.J.’s new school funding plan — including one district with a 27% cut
Four New Jersey school districts will see cuts above the promised cap in Murphy’s proposed budget, according to data provided by the state Department of Education.
New Jersey Monitor
KIPP’s night kindergarten in Newark: a rare ‘bright spot’ in COVID’s dark days
The program is a unique example of a school that moved quickly to keep children from missing out on their first year of school.
NorthJerseey.com / MSN.com
NJ advances bill to improve school bus safety for students with disabilities
The state Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a bill Monday to require video cameras and GPS tracking on school buses and more training for school staff and contractors who deal with medically vulnerable special education students.
Philadelphia Inquirer / MSN.com
District officials say the changes in the proposed $256 million budget for the 2025-26 school year are necessary because of a 3% reduction in state aid. Cherry Hill is among more than one-third of the state’s 600 districts slated to get a decrease in funding under Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposal.
NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS
Chalkbeat
5 years after COVID hit, here are 10 ways American schools have changed
COVID closures left students behind and made school feel optional. They also ushered in a technological explosion.
How COVID changed the class of 2025 — and their teachers
This year’s high school seniors lost half of their seventh grade year to COVID school closures. They finished middle school either virtually or attending school in person while wearing masks and sitting six feet from their peers.
Education Week
Which States Are Challenging Undocumented Students’ Right to Free Education?
These states are trying to limit undocumented students’ access to a free, public education.
The Ed. Dept. Axed Its Office of Ed Tech. What That Means for Schools
The office helped districts navigate new and emerging technology affecting schools.
USA Today / MSN.com
Schools closed and went remote to fight COVID-19. The impacts linger 5 years later.
Educators nationwide have said that their students returned to classrooms after the pandemic with lower academic skills than before and it’s been a challenge to catch kids up.