New Jersey state law requires new school board members and charter school trustees to attend training within 90 days of taking office. Please note that if you previously were a board member and have had a break in service of three years or longer, you must complete Governance I again, and the same 90-day regulation applies.
Board members in the second and third years of a first term, and in the first year of a re-elected or reappointed term must also complete mandated training. NJSBA is the state-designated provider of Mandated Training, which is available at no cost to members.
The New Jersey School Boards Association offers its members numerous formats to fulfill this requirement, including live virtual training, self-paced online courses, and in-person training.*
Please contact the Training Department for questions regarding Mandated Training requirements.
Governance I: First Year of First Term Training – New Board Member Orientation Mandated Training
* New Board Member Orientation Weekend
This on-site intensive, three-day training course teaches new board members 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.
Limit of 2 members per district for the weekend training.
Registration for Mandated Training may only be completed online by your school business administrator. Please contact your district office to be registered.
All attendees will need a district email and must already be added to the census (with a start date of 1/1/24)
2026 DATES TBA
* One Day New Board Member Orientation
This program will be offered in person at NJSBA headquarters in Trenton. This free opportunity will not only allow you to complete your mandated training requirements but to share knowledge and connect with fellow school leaders working towards the same goals. Breakfast & lunch will be provided. Registration must be handled by your school business administrator. *Details for this event are subject to change.
May 17, 2025 9:30am – 4:00pm
* Live Virtual Sessions
Throughout the year, NJSBA staff will present information new board members need to perform their responsibilities effectively. This format allows time for questions and answers. The Live Virtual new board member sessions are scheduled in three consecutive live sessions, each lasting approximately two hours.
Members must consecutively attend all three session dates *LIVE* to fulfill the Governance requirement and receive Board Member Academy credit.
June 9,10,11, 2025
7-9 pm
* Self-Paced Online Course
The self-paced, interactive session allows board members to take the course at their convenience. Completion of this course fulfills the School District Accountability Act Mandated Training requirement.
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
Governance II, III AND IV
Governance II: 1st Term, 2nd full year of service – Policy and Finance
Governance III: 1st Term, 3rd full year of service – Labor Relations and Board’s Role in Curriculum and Instruction
Governance IV: Re-elected/reappointed board members in the first year of any succeeding term – Legal Update
Governance II: Second Year of the First Term – Policy and Finance
* Live Virtual Training
NJSBA staff will present the Governance II: Policy and Finance session live online throughout the year. This interactive format allows time for questions and answers.
Sessions will take place from 7 – 9 p.m. on the following dates:
June 3, 2025
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
The self-paced, interactive session allows board members to take the course at their convenience. Completion of this course fulfills the School District Accountability Act Mandated Training requirement.
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
Governance III: Third Year of the First Term – Labor Relations and Board’s Role in Curriculum and Instruction
* Live Virtual Training
Throughout the year, NJSBA staff will present the Governance III: Student Achievement session live online. This interactive format allows time for questions and answers.
Sessions will take place from 7 – 9 p.m. on the following dates:
June 5, 2025
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
* Self-Paced Online Course
The self-paced, interactive session allows board members to take the course at their convenience. Completion of this course fulfills the School District Accountability Act Mandated Training requirement.
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
Governance IV: First Year of Every Newly Elected Term – School Law Update
* Live Virtual Training
Throughout the year, NJSBA staff will present the Governance IV: Legal Update session live online. This interactive format allows time for questions and answers.
Sessions will take place from 7 – 9 p.m. on the following dates:
June 12, 2025
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
* Self-Paced Online Course
The self-paced, interactive session allows board members to take the course at their convenience. Completion of this course fulfills the School District Accountability Act Mandated Training requirement.
Member Rate: Free • Non-Member Rate: $100
Please contact the Training Department for questions regarding Mandated Training requirements.