School Board Notes – Mar. 3, 2026
Dr. Lily Laux Confirmed as Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Education For NJSBA Education News anytime, visit the NJSBA website homepage, and scroll down to News and Resources.
Chalkbeat
‘You have to get vulnerable’: New student podcast highlights ways to address gun violence in Philly
Philly teens say creating space for sharing feelings is key to preventing violence.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Mirabelli v. Bonta ruling casts doubt on the legality of school district policies that aim to protect transgender students’ privacy.
Will the federal government continue to support education research?
A new report defends the Education Department’s research arm but also calls for changes. In this Q&A, Amber Northern discusses the future of the Institute of Education Sciences.
New report urges New Jersey schools to give parents more say in student special education programs
The state-mandated working group created the report and recommends more consistency in individualized education programs, translated materials, and more time for parents to prepare.
MyCentralJersey.com
Berkeley Heights school referendum puts $50M in upgrades to vote – (MSN.com)
Township voters will head to the polls March 10 to decide two school referendum questions totaling $50.4 million in district improvements.
NJ.com
How NJ.’s $3B state budget gap could hit your household costs — and define a new governor – (MSN.com)
Gov. Mikie Sherrill will deliver her first state budget address Tuesday with New Jersey staring down what her administration calls a serious structural deficit of roughly $3 billion.
AI will grade most N.J. student writing on new 2026 state tests – (NJ.com)
Artificial intelligence will be used to score most of the writing New Jersey students do on the new statewide standardized tests set to debut this spring, state education officials said.
Good bye Good Friday for students in this N.J. school district due to snow days – (MSN.com)
Friday, April 3, once a scheduled day off for Bordentown Regional School District students, will now be a half day after the district was forced to adjust its calendar due to snow-related closures.
Teachers union president: Health insurance is bleeding workers dry. Gov. Sherrill can stop it. – (NJ.com)
Skyrocketing premiums and medical expenses are straining workers’ paychecks, district finances and the state budget. Controlling those costs is essential to making New Jersey more affordable for everyone who lives and works here.
NJ Spotlight News
Lakewood schools call state takeover effort ‘woefully deficient’
‘Cherry-picked, one-sided and outdated’ evidence, district argues ahead of date with administrative law judge.
School funding closely watched in Sherrill’s first budget address
Aid for districts, special education needs and costs of state health benefits plan for staff among biggest issues.
NJ schools teach reading as they wish, and critics say that fails kids
Educators push standardized science-based lessons to lift test scores, push students to master literacy for broader learning.
What to watch for as Sherrill proposes her first state spending plan
Weighing the demands of structural balance against property tax relief, education and mass transit while lawmakers push last-minute spending.
New Jersey Monitor
Lakewood school district denies need for state takeover
Lakewood’s school district rejected state claims that its funding woes deny public school students the thorough and efficient education promised by the state constitution.
NorthJersey.com
Lodi students celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday with Things 1 and 2 – (NorthJersey.com)
It’s a nationwide K-12 tradition celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2, when elementary schools host authors and early literacy events during the week.
NJ students bring moxie, pitch good causes at ‘Shark Tank’ event – (MSN.com) The sharks were circling — so North Jersey teenagers brought all the moxie they could.
Lavallette-Seaside / Shorebeat
Study Finds Taxes Could Be Slashed If Seaside Park-South Seaside Park Merger is Approved
A study on the potential merger of Seaside Park and South Seaside Park – now under the jurisdiction of Berkeley Township – showed a potential for significant property tax reductions should it occur, though there are other considerations besides the property tax levy itself.
NJ Patch
Bridgewater-Raritan Explores Regionalization Study with Neighboring School District
The purpose of the study is purely informational, aiming to identify any potential benefits of regionalization, according to Board member Steven Singer, who sits on the Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee.
TAPinto.net
Summit Leaders & Police Bring Storytime to Life for Read Across America Week
Summit’s elected leaders and police officers traded agendas for picture books last week, bringing story time to life in elementary classrooms as part of Read Across America Week and turning school hallways into hubs of laughter and learning.
Robbinsville Voters Urged to Cast Ballots Tuesday on $5M School Funding Question
Robbinsville school officials are reminding residents to head to the polls on Tuesday for a special election that will determine whether the district can raise an additional $5 million to support school operations and maintain current academic and extracurricular programs.
On the Global Stage: Hoboken High School Students Earn Honors at Model UN Conference
Several Hoboken High School students were recognized for their performance at the annual PHILMUN Model United Nations conference in Philadelphia, where the school’s delegation participated in diplomatic simulations and policy debates alongside students from across the region.