Annual School Elections Bill

On January 9th, 2012 both the Senate and Assembly passed bills S3148/A4394. This establishes procedures for districts, municipalities, or voters to opt to move the annual school election to November and eliminates the vote on school budgets for such districts, except for separate proposals to spend above the 2% cap. 

The bill is awaiting the Governor's signature. 

One of the most unique aspects of the school budget process is that the community members have a voice. The ability to vote directly on a budget limited to school budgets.

NEWSWEEK America's Best High School 2011 List

NEWSWEEK has released its 2011 list of America's Best High Schools and Verona ranks:

• 1st in Essex County!
• 24th In New Jersey
• 296 out of 500 in America (A significant improvement from the previous year of 1654 out of 1734)

Follow this link to check out where other high schools may rank.

We're really onto something as a community and with continued support and hard word we'll see our standing continue to improve. Let's keep driving towards a common vision of scholarship and educational excellence as we prepare our students for a fast and ever changing world.

Heading to Washington D.C.

I'm really excited to be heading to Washington D.C. this evening in preparation for tomorrows Young Elected Officials Policy Briefing and Presidential Reception at The White House. The briefing is being held from 12:00PM to 3:30PM followed by a reception. If you have topics, advice, or just something you would like to share, definitely reach out to me at munis@veronaschools.org or give call at 973 - 559 - 6452. I'll be sure to write a follow-up post to Friday's visit. Read More...

Gov. Christie introduces plan allowing for-profit companies to run 5 failing N.J. public schools

On June 9th The Star Ledger covered a story that discussed the governors plan to allow for-profit companies to run five failing schools in New Jersey. I think that regardless of whether a person's view is for or against this move, the positive note taken away from this event is that policy makers and communities are beginning to think outside the box. It was Albert Einstein who said,

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Thus, the move to solicit private sector help in turning around the public sector schools appears to be an attempt to do just that, use a new and innovative model to solve the problems of yesterday that exist today. One part of this legislation that I am happy to see is that the partnership requires local support. I think this is a vital part of the programs future success. Every community is unique and with this uniqueness comes a special set of strengths and challenges. 

To read more visit: Gov. Christie introduces plan allowing for-profit companies to run 5 failing N.J. public schools

Board Member Criminal Background Checks Now Law

As discussed at our last board meeting, the bill A-444 which requires school board members to undergo criminal background checks was signed into law today. Interestingly, this law does not apply to any form of public office beyond the local school board level. Read full article below:

On May 26, Gov. Chris Christie signed into law A-444, which requires school board members and charter school trustees to undergo criminal background history checks and would disqualify board members who have been convicted of certain crimes.  

Current school board members will have to undergo a background investigation within 30 days.  When new members are elected or appointed to a board, they must undergo a criminal history background check within the first 30 days of being elected or appointed.

Who Pays The cost of the background investigation will be the responsibility of the school board member, but unexpended campaign funds may be used for this purpose. The law also allows local boards of education or charter schools to reimburse individuals for these costs.

NJSBA successfully advocated for the change to the bill that allows boards to reimburse members for these costs.

NJSBA has created a sample resolution for school boards that want to demonstrate its intent to reimburse for board-member criminal history background checks.

In addition, the NJSBA Legal & Policy Services Department has developed a sample bylaw that school districts may adopt to memorialize a reimbursement policy for the background checks. It is available upon request from Lisa Deon at (609) 278-5222 or via email.

Board Member Oath Under existing law, a candidate for election to a board of education, when filing a nominating petition, must certify that the candidate is legally qualified to hold that office. Making a false statement in connection with a nominating petition is a crime of the fourth degree.

The new law provides that the oath of office taken by a school board member before assuming office will contain a specific declaration that the member is not disqualified from holding that office due to conviction of one of those crimes or offenses.  A member who falsely swears that he or she is not disqualified due to a conviction would be guilty of a fourth-degree crime. 

The State Bureau of Identification will immediately inform the state commissioner of education of any new charges filed against any board member who has previously undergone a background investigation.