-
Attorney of the Day
An NJSBA staff attorney is available at 1-609-278-5279 to provide legal information to board members, school administrators, member charter school board trustees, and AMPSA members.
-
AMPSA
The Associate Membership Program for School Attorneys is the only organization dedicated exclusively to New Jersey’s school board attorneys. From conferences to subscriptions to consultation, AMPSA offers unparalleled training opportunities and information resources essential to school law practice.
Index to School Law Decisions
NJSBA Index to School Law Decisions is an online reference that includes summaries of decisions by the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education and the School Ethics Commission through 2014. The Index also includes selected rulings by the courts and entities such as the Government Records Council. Developed and updated regularly by NJSBA’s staff attorneys, this on-line research publication is of particular interest to school board attorneys and school administrators.
Basic School Law 2019
Can a school district change from an appointed to an elected board of education? What are the current requirements for a teacher to acquire tenure? When is a district eligible for “cap banking?” May a board member whose niece is a teacher in the district serve on the board’s negotiations committee?
These questions – and more—are answered in the latest edition of Basic School Law, written by the attorneys and subject area specialists at the New Jersey School Boards Association. This newly revised and comprehensive reference offers current and authoritative information on state and federal education laws.
Monthly Grounds: Education Law Update
Election and Budget Information
- School Elections Frequently Asked Questions (November 2025)
- Post Election Information for New Board Members and Charter School Trustees
- NJ Department of Education District Wide Budget Information
- Recall Election FAQ
Organization Resources
- Board Organization Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
- Oath of Office for School Board Members
- Sample Agenda for the Organization Meeting
School Finance Elections
- Do’s and Don’ts of School Budget Campaigns
- Do’s and Don’ts of School Budget Campaigns (Power Point Presentation)
- Do’s and Don’ts True-and-False Quiz
Ethics
- Frequently Asked Questions about the School Ethics Commission
- Board Member and Trustee Code of Ethics
- Acknowledgement of Receipt of Code of Ethics
- School Ethics Act Regulations (N.J.A.C. 6A:28-1.1 et seq.)
- FAQ on filing the Personal/Relative Disclosure Forms
- School Ethics Commission Disclosure Forms
- Public Advisory Opinions of the School Ethics Commission
- How to Request an Advisory Opinion
- School Ethics Commission Resolution on Invoking the Doctrine of Necessity
Students
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
- Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR)
- Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act – 2012 Amendments
- Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act – 2022 Amendments
- Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Regulations (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.7 et seq.)
- Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Decisions Issued by the Commissioner of Education (October 2023-November 2025)
- Guidance for Schools on Implementing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (Issued by the N.J. Department of Education)
- Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act FAQs (Issued by the N.J. Department of Education)
- Model Policy for Prohibiting Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (Issued by the N.J. Department of Education)
Open Public Meetings Act
Open Public Records Act
- Text of Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
- Handbook for Records Custodians (Issued by the Government Records Council)
- Open Public Records Act: Frequently Asked Questions (Issued by the Government Records Council)
- New Jersey Government Records Council
Governance
- Board Voting Requirements
- Board Governance: Legal Requirements and Issues
- Regionalization Outline 2011 (5-13)
Employment Issues
- Executive County Superintendent Review of Administrator Contracts Q&A
- FMLA Summary and Comparison
- FMLA Recent Developments
- Paid Family Leave Handout
- Nonrenewal & RIF FAQ
- The Board Attorney’s Role in Personnel
- The Board Attorney’s Role in Personnel (statues and code)
Rulings and Statutes
- New Jersey Statutes
- New Jersey Education Regulations
- New Jersey School Law Decisions (Commissioner | Arbitration TEACHNJ | State Board | School Ethics | Board of Examiners | Charter School Tenure Decisions | OAL)
Charter Schools
- Trustees Role in Personnel
- Trustees Role in Personnel (presentation)
Nothing contained in the documents above should be construed as legal advice. These documents are for informational purposes only. Please consult your board attorney for legal advice.