Conversations on New Jersey Education

If you are a newly elected school board member, you are probably both excited and a little nervous about your new position. The role of a school board member is a little different than other elec...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2022/12/06/the-3rs-for-newly-elected-school-board-members

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District shifted the landscape concerning prayer in our public schools. What does this decision mean for school districts? Wil...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2022/08/11/praying-on-the-50-yard-line-what-does-the-supreme-court-decision-mean

In recent months, the issue of mandated masks in schools has divided some communities. With Gov. Murphy’s decision to lift the mask mandate, effective March 7, the decision as to whether studen...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2022/02/24/finding-the-right-mask-policy-for-your-district

On March 26, the governor signed legislation requiring parents to be notified in writing if their child under the age of 18 is arrested for possessing or using marijuana. How will this latest cha...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2021/04/01/school-law-the-legal-status-of-marijuana-and-its-impact-on-school-districts

One of the foundations of education law is the protection of students’ privacy.  With the almost overnight transition from in-person instruction to remote instruction, how are students’ righ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2021/02/17/school-law-today-remote-instruction-and-student-privacy

With school districts moving from hybrid to remote learning and then back again during the pandemic, job responsibilities of district staff have been constantly changing. Boards of education have...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2021/01/21/school-law-today-personnel-issues-during-the-pandemic

Earlier this year, Paterson School District officials worried that a shortage of devices would prevent many students from learning online. In this podcast, the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney interviews Pat...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/11/12/the-paterson-school-districts-effort-to-close-the-digital-divide

Special education practices changed overnight with the onset of the pandemic. Many districts are working to provide services virtually and with social distancing protocols while still following I...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/09/29/special-education-issues-during-the-pandemic--school-law

When COVID-19 first hit New Jersey, school board meetings went from being in person to virtual almost overnight.  Even though the number of coronavirus cases has diminished recently, many boards...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/09/08/the-pandemics-effect-on-board-of-education-meetings

Since the pandemic began, Executive Orders have governed most of our actions as school districts.  What does the most recent—Executive Order 175—mean for school districts and what should the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/08/18/school-law-during-the-pandemic-executive-order-175

Despite virtual meetings and the pandemic, negotiations between the board of education and the local bargaining unit still have to take place.  Should you hold the sessions remotely or in person...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/08/13/negotiation-issues-for-boards-of-education-during-the-pandemic

The guidelines for the reopening our schools recommend strict social distancing protocols.  How does that work with a school district’s requirement for various safety drills such as active sho...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/08/11/handling-safety-drills-with-social-distancing-protocols

Special education students and educators have faced extraordinary difficulties with the school closures – and face even more challenges with the reopening of schools.  With a new school year b...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/07/28/school-law-evaluating-special-education-students-in-a-pandemic

Colleen Maguire is the new Chief Operating Officer for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).  She is the first woman to lead the 102-year old association.  In this...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/07/13/njsiaas-new-leader-discusses-school-sports-during-a-pandemic

Traumatic events affect the learning process for all children, but children of color face even more obstacles. NJSBA’s Ray Pinney interviews Dr. Melissa Sadin, author of a series of books on co...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/06/11/building-resilience-in-our-students-of-color

Meeting the educational and social-emotional needs of special education students is perhaps the most daunting challenge our districts have faced in the transition from in-person instruction to re...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/28/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-special-ed

The Town of Dover in western Morris County is a diverse community that was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak.  How did the switch to virtual learning affect this district?  What were the most d...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/26/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-dover

Most New Jerseyans know Wildwood as a resort community with a lovely boardwalk and sprawling beaches but it is also home to a pre-K through 12 school district.  This district has a unique school...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/21/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-wildwood-city

North Warren Regional School District is a rural 7-12 regional school district in the hills of Warren County.  How did the switch to virtual learning affect this sprawling district?  What were ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/19/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-north-warren

Teaching physical education virtually is a challenge, but it is a challenge the Middlesex County Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Olawski from New Brunswick, meets everyday. Listen in as NJSBA’s R...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/14/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-teaching-pe

One of the biggest challenges many school districts faced when schools closed was that they still had to dispense meals to their students.  In this podcast, Mark Gengaro, director of climate an...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/12/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-food-distribution

Even if you are a teacher with superb technological skills, moving from in-classroom to virtual instruction is a challenge.  Katherine Poerner, who teaches Pre-AP U.S. History I and AP U.S. Hist...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/07/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-teaching-ap-classes

What is the role of the building principal when the instruction is not occurring in the building?  What are the challenges facing principals in making sure instruction is delivered, and the soci...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/05/05/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-role-of-the-principal

The school district of Westfield is a large K-12 district located in Union County.  The district not only made the switch from in-person instruction to virtual learning but also partnered with t...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/30/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line--westfield

Long Branch is a diverse waterfront city located in Monmouth County. The Long Branch Public Schools educate some 5,800 students; 83% of whom are classified as economically disadvantaged. When the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/28/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line--long-branch

Seemingly overnight, education in New Jersey went from brick and mortar to virtual instruction.  Teachers had to adapt quickly.  In this interview with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney, Marie Blistan, NJEA...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/24/a-conversation-about-covid-19-with-njea-president-marie-blistan

Hamilton Township in Mercer County is one of New Jersey’s larger school districts, with more than 11,000 students.  The superintendent, Dr. Scott Rocco, has led the district through the transi...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/23/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

Unfortunately, the district of Keyport is no stranger to dealing with natural disasters.  It was one of the districts hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy.  However COVID-19 presents unprecedented c...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/21/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line-1

COVID-19 has completely reshaped the landscape for education in New Jersey.  It is just not that schools have closed and instruction has gone virtual. The state has to deal with the fiscal fallo...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/17/legislation-that-will-impact-new-jersey-school-districts-during-covid-19

Kingsway Regional School District in Gloucester County has worked hard to continue providing top-notch instruction to their students during this public health emergency.  Kingsway, a sprawling r...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/16/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

Like many districts, the Pinelands Regional School District has made a great effort to ensure that their delivery of virtual instruction was the best that it could be.  They also had to make sur...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/14/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

Like many districts, the school district of Ramsey made a great effort to make sure that their delivery of instruction virtually was the best that it could be.  The superintendent Dr. Matthew Mu...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/09/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covif-19-front-line

The City of Clifton is a large, diverse community in Passaic County.  Superintendent  Dr. Danny Robertozzi was in the district for less than 10 months.  How did he rally the staff and students...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/07/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

In these historically unsettled times, COVID-19 has already disrupted the delivery of education to our students.  And now, with the recent announcement that the budget year will be extended to S...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/03/with-unanswered-questions-advocacy-matters-more-than-ever

Transitioning a school district on short notice to go virtual has involved a Herculean effort.  In this podcast, Dr. Robert Zywicki of the Mount Olive School District will join NJSBA’s Ray Pin...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/04/02/conversation-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

Since schools were forced to close their buildings, one of the biggest challenges has been meeting the needs of our special education students.  Andrea Romano is the superintendent of the Sussex...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/03/31/conversations-with-educators-on-the-covid-19-front-line

While all school districts are engrossed in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and continuing to educate students remotely, they also need to be concerned about what is happening in Trenton.  Wh...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/03/27/advocacy-in-the-age-of-covid-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the state government to impose curfews, school closures, and other efforts to keep people apart, how does a Board of Education operate? Can board members partic...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/03/20/social-distancing-and-the-board-meeting

Social media is more popular than ever, and most people have a social media presence, but it is not without its complications. When school board members and school personnel use social media the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/03/05/board-members-and-social-media-the-plusses-and-the-pitfalls

Building community support for your school district is critical to a district’s success.  This, however, takes more than putting out a newsletter.  It takes a comprehensive communication plan...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2020/02/06/communication-tips-for-school-districts

What is branding?  Why should school districts be concerned about branding and marketing?  What are the benefits of branding your district?  What are the steps districts should take as they mo...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/12/03/keys-to-branding-and-marketing-your-school-district

Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member.  Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for?  What is y...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/10/30/what-board-candidates-should-know-before-taking-office

What is equity in education?  How is it different from equality?  What are some inherent biases that could affect students?  How do equity issues play out in schools?  Please join us as for...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/10/16/a-conversation-on-the-importance-of-equity-in-education

In recent weeks, new concerns about vaping have been in the headlines. What is vaping?  Who is vaping and what are the health risks associated it? How is the e-cigarette industry marketing strat...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/09/24/what-everyone-should-know-about-vaping

Outside of salaries and wages, the biggest cost driver in a district’s budget is the price of health care benefits. In a time of tight budgets, how can districts find substantial savings in thi...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/09/09/keys-to-reducing-a-districts-health-care-costs

While there seems to be strong medical and scientific evidence that later start times benefit our students the obstacles to make the change are significant.  The Princeton district decided it wa...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/07/25/one-districts-experience-with-later-start-times-in-their-schools-1

Many experts in the medical community are promoting the idea of later start times for our middle and high schools.  What is the impact of the lack of sleep on adolescents’ health?  Is there e...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/07/18/the-science-behind-later-start-times-in-our-schools

When a district has to accommodate a transgender student, what legal guidelines must they follow?  In recent years most districts have had to deal with this issue.  What policies should they h...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/07/11/legal-requirements-and-guidelines-for-transgender-students-school-law-today

Disciplining public school students involves following a series of procedures and guidelines. If the discipline involves a child who is classified as special needs or entails a short-term or long...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/06/10/student-discipline-procedures-school-law-today

After Ian Hockley’s son young Dylan was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012, Ian started Dylan’s Wings of Change Foundation to empower empathetic children to create s...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/05/09/the-journey-from-sandy-hook-tragedy-to-the-wingman-program

Large crowds at board meetings often indicate that there is a hot issue with the parents, community, or staff.  Handling these situations calmly and correctly is critically important.  Things c...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/03/13/managing-those-difficult-school-board-meetings--school-law-today

Sports are an integral part of our schools – especially in our high schools. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) has been in existence since 1918 and regulates in...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/02/25/the-role-of-sports-and-the-njsiaa-in-our-schools

School board members are often actively involved in a variety of community activities, in addition to their roles as school board members. This podcast will address the potential pitfalls of boar...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2019/01/08/school-law-today--can-i-do-that-should-i-do-that

The board’s reorganization meeting, held in early January, is the first meeting of the new board and it is where decisions are made that will have an impact for the rest of the year.  New boar...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/12/19/school-law-today-the-board-reorganization-meeting

The Pew Research Center defines millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996. While generational markers are never precise, they do offer broad insights into the experiences of different age g...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/12/13/the-unique-experience-of-the-millennial-school-board-member

Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member.  Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for?  What is y...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/10/29/what-board-candidates-should-know-before-taking-office

Increased evidence of mold in our schools forced several to close temporarily this year. Most districts are not familiar with the issues surrounding mold.  How does it occur?  What is the proce...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/10/12/mold-in-our-schools-the-removal-and-prevention-process

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights has been in effect for seven years now.  What legal issues have emerged that school districts would be wise to avoid? What are some best practices that districts...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/09/28/school-law-today-legal-issues-with-bullying-in-our-schools

Recently the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME in a 5-4 decision struck down the use of “agency shop” fees, which was established by statute in 22 states, including New Jersey.  Wh...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/08/08/school-law-today--the-impact-of-the-janus-decision

Recently the Legislature passed, and Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law, P.L. 2018, c5, commonly referred to as the “Pass the Trash” law.  This law affects all school districts, charter school...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/06/14/legal-issues-on-the-pass-the-trash-law-for-school-districts

Keeping students and staff members safe in our schools is a district’s top priority.  Perhaps the most effective tool for that is a strong working relationship between the school district and ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/04/30/maple-shade-working-together-to-protect-children

Student discipline issues particularly at the higher grades can sometimes interfere with student learning.  Stress whether it is with our high achieving students trying to get into college or at...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/04/20/can-mindfulness-help-improve-student-discipline-and-achievement

The New Jersey School Boards Association has partnered with the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, founded by Steven Van Zandt, to bring the Sonic Highways Hometown Documentaries project-based lea...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/03/13/spotlighting-your-student-filmmakers

Over the last year, sexual harassment in high-profile workplaces has garnered headlines.  It is, however, an issue in all workplaces, including school districts.  As an employer, what should sc...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/03/01/school-law-today-legal-issues-in-sexual-harassment-for-school-districts

New Jersey is widely recognized as a national leader in arts education.  How important are the arts in education?  What is the status of arts education in New Jersey as revealed by a statewide ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/02/22/the-status-and-importance-of-the-arts-in-new-jersey-education

New Jersey’s tenure law, TEACHNJ, was enacted in 2012, intended to provide a dramatic reduction in the time and cost of removing teachers who were repeatedly ineffective in improving student ou...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/02/08/school-law-today--legal-issues-with-tenure-charges

There is little debate over the fact that New Jersey must address its public employee pension and health benefit obligations, or otherwise face a financial calamity.  What is the impact of fundi...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2018/01/19/a-conversation-on-new-jerseys-pension-and-health-benefit-predicament

As a board, you may be faced with many challenges in providing programs for students of special needs.  You may even face legal challenges to special education decisions. Is there a way in which...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/11/17/school-law-today--special-education-from-different-perspectives

Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member.  Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for?  What is y...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/10/30/what-board-candidates-should-know-before-taking-office

Professional athletes have been making headlines for expressing their First Amendment rights on the NFL sidelines.  However, do our students and student-athletes enjoy that same freedom?  While...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/10/12/school-law-today-first-amendment-rights-of-students

One of America’s most cherished rights is “Freedom of Speech” as spelled out in the First Amendment.  However, when an individual works for a school district, it is often the local board o...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/09/28/school-law-today-the-first-amendment-rights-of-staff

With the advent of social media, bullying no longer just occurs on school grounds.  It can occur off-campus, on weekends and at non-school related events.  What are the district’s responsibil...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/06/30/school-law-today-legal-issues-around-cyber-bullying

Special education is an area of public education which can often lead to legal entanglements.  Federal and state court decisions -reaching as far as the U.S. Supreme Court -can affect what happe...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/06/01/school-law-today--a-special-education-discussion-on-fape-idea-and-the-courts

With any new presidency there are new ideas and new players.  How could these new ideas and players impact New Jersey school districts?  Join us as Deborah Rigsby, director of federal legislati...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/04/27/possible-education-impacts-of-the-trump-administration

A recent decision by the New Jersey Appellate Division on “Rice Notice” procedures has greatly impacted local boards of education.  Even though the court ruling was in regards to a Kean Univ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/04/21/school-law-today--changes-in-the-rice-notice-procedures

A primary goal of all boards of education and school administrators is to allocate as much of their financial resources as possible for the classroom, rather than for non-instructional uses like ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/04/07/school-law-today--top-five-ways-for-school-districts-to-stay-out-of-court

Parents and students today have options besides their local school district.  There are charter schools and private schools that are continuously marketing to them about their schools’ benefit...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/03/24/marketing-your-school-district-to-parents-and-your-community

Boards of education do not come to the decision of proposing a referendum lightly.  While boards may feel strongly about a referendum proposal, there are things that boards and individual board ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/03/03/school-law-today-navigating-the-board-through-the-referendum-process

All school board members must abide by the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, which guides them in fulfilling their duties.  In recent years, the School Ethics Commission has published adv...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2017/02/03/school-law-today-five-advisory-opinions-that-affect-all-school-boards

The reorganization meeting is the first meeting of the new board, and important business is conducted. New board members are sworn in, and typically the board leadership is decided.  What action...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/12/15/getting-ready-for-the-2017-board-reorganization-meeting

In September, Kimberley Harrington was appointed acting commissioner of education for the N.J.  Department of Education.  There are a myriad of education issues she will be dealing with, such ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/12/01/a-conversation-with-acting-commissioner-of-education-kimberley-harrington

Many school board members are unaware that the NJDOE is implementing major changes in the student teaching process in New Jersey.  This will hopefully lead to better prepared first year teachers...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/11/01/changes-coming-to-the-student-teaching-process-in-new-jersey

In New Jersey, changes in educational law or regulation go through an approval process that often includes the very public entities of the Legislature, governor and the state Department of Edu...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/07/12/talking-education-issues-with-the-nj-state-board-education-president

No matter the size of your district, special education is a key component in your curriculum and budget.  There are numerous legal restrictions, as well as procedures that districts must follow....

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/05/24/what-board-members-need-to-know-about-special-education

What would be the impact if you brought together a group of more than 200 students and teachers, representing every high school in Mercer County, to discuss the delicate issues of race, class and...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/04/05/a-conversation-about-race-class-and-gender-in-our-schools

A community’s board of education and its municipal government are the foundation of local government. While these two entities represent the same community, often they don’t coordinate effort...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/03/09/starting-and-maintaining-a-municipalschool-district-partnership

What happens in New Jersey’s classrooms is directly impacted by what happens in the halls of Trenton.   What happens in the halls of Trenton is not always predictable.  One of the most exper...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/02/23/education-new-jersey-politics

The headlines and news stories most times seem to highlight the negative issues associated with social media in education.  However, social media is here to stay – and some school districts...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/02/02/making-social-media-work-for-your-school-district

Every year in New Jersey an estimated five hundred new school board members begin their service on their local boards of education.  They want to be effective, but there is so much to learn, and...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2016/01/22/advice-for-new-school-board-members-from-almost-new-board-members

When New Jersey students graduate from high school, they need certain career-readiness skills—even if they are going on to higher education before entering the workforce.  What are the skills ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/10/13/improving-career-readiness-skills-in-new-jersey

There are few traditions more firmly rooted in our educational system than homework. But while homework is widely used in schools, is it really a great learning tool?  How does homework fit into...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/09/11/remaking-homework-in-a-school-district

The New Jersey Department of Education has been directed to review the Common Core State Standards by Governor Chris Christie. What will that process look like?  Who will be involved in the revi...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/07/14/a-second-look-at-the-common-core

Transgender issues have been grabbing the headlines lately, and this subject is one that school districts must deal with in a very practical way.  Districts must follow legal guidelines and poli...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/06/23/transgender-issues-for-school-districts

Recently the School Ethics Commission released several advisory opinions which impact the designation of which board members can participate in labor negotiations, as well as in personnel matters...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/05/18/a-conversation-with-the-school-ethics-commission

It has been more than two years since the tragic school shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  This tragedy caused New Jersey school districts to analyze their ow...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/04/21/what-makes-schools-safe

One of the key responsibilities of a school board member is negotiating the contract for teachers and staff.  It is, by far, the place where most of the district’s financial resources are allo...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/03/26/negotiation-trends-for-school-districts-in-2015

Next month school districts across New Jersey will begin administering the PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests. What are these tests and how are the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/02/27/parents-and-parcc

The School Ethics Commission has recently released 36 new advisory opinions that give school board members new guidance in numerous areas when they carry out their duties.  Whether it involves s...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/02/17/recent-changes-and-rulings-by-the-school-ethics-commission

Governor Christie has given his State of the State speech and the political and legislative wheels in New Jersey are now in motion.  How will the political landscape affect school districts in N...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2015/01/20/gazing-into-the-crystal-ball-for-education-in-nj-2015

The reorganization meeting is the first meeting of the new board, and important business is conducted. New board members are sworn in, and typically the board leadership is decided.  What action...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/12/12/getting-ready-for-the-2015-reorganization-meeting-of-the-board

Most people view sustainability as just another environmental project.  Yet the new Sustainable Jersey for Schools is much more than a “green” program.  Being “green” is just one of sev...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/12/08/sustainability-helping-the-bottom-line-financially-as-well-as-educationally

Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member.  Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for?  What is y...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/10/22/what-board-members-need-to-know-before-taking-office

Acting Commissioner of Education David Hespe has been in the position less than a year, but he has already taken an aggressive stance to inform the public about the Common Core State Standards in...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/10/03/a-conversation-on-the-common-core-with-education-commissioner-david-hespe

State standards and standardized tests are not new concepts and have been part of New Jersey’s education landscape for some time.  However there have been recent concerns raised by some commun...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/09/19/the-common-core-parcc-and-what-board-members-need-to-know-to-prepare-students

As public officials, school board members are indemnified for many actions they take as school board members. Why are school board members indemnified? Are there times when they are not protecte...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/09/05/what-every-board-member-and-citizen-needs-to-understand-about-indemnification

Special Education has consistently been a difficult challenge for school districts, both programmatically and financially. In times when financial resources are limited yet academic expectations ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2014/08/20/a-major-shift-in-how-we-address-special-education

Since the 1920’s teacher tenure has been part of New Jersey’s education system and changed only slight until August of 2012 when TEACH-NJ was signed into law.  This law dramatically changed ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/12/06/legal-issues-with-the-new-tenure-law

This year for the second time in New Jersey history we will be electing candidates to the local Boards of education in a November election.  Yet it does not matter much when the election is held...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/10/29/what-board-candidates-need-to-know-before-taking-office

While the internet is a place where learning thrives and our students need to develop technology skills in order to be competitive in the workplace, it is not without its perils especially for ou...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/10/16/cyber-security-for-students-and-schools

Is education policy in New Jersey on the right path? Even if the state is heading in the right direction, are we moving too quickly? Assemblywoman Mila Jasey from the 27 Legislative District, v...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/06/14/is-education-reform-while-correct--moving-too-fast

Without question, the focus in public education is on getting all students to achieve – even in the most disadvantaged communities. In his book “Improbable Scholars,” author David Kirp arg...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/05/14/is-union-city-the-model-for-increasing-student-achievement

It would seem like a clearly defined issue, but often the Code of Ethics for School Board Members needs to be interpreted to decide whether a board member should vote on an issue, or even partici...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/05/03/a-legal-perspective-on-the-code-of-ethics

New Jersey’s historic Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act has brought profound changes to schools throughout the state. One part of the act established a task force to examine how the law is being...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/03/12/reflecting-on-the-anti-bully-bill-of-rights-impact

In these days of heightened school safety, local school officials know they must communicate with local law enforcement. But are school officials asking the right questions and working as effect...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/02/15/e-importance-of-the-school-and-police-partnership-in-school

Since the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., school officials across the nation have taken another look at ways to improve the school security in their school buildings. What steps should school distric...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/02/08/taking-steps-to-make-your-school-buildings-safer

I All board of education members and charter school trustees must adhere to the School Ethics Act – the statute designed to ensure citizens can maintain confidence in the conduct of their local...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/01/29/a-conversation-with-the-school-ethics-commission

The landscape for negotiations between school boards and staff unions has changed over the last few years.  Whether your teacher’s contract is up this June or your district is involved in prot...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2013/01/14/school-labor-negotiations-in-2013

Whether a school board reorganization occurs in January or April most issues are the same.  What actions does a board need to make at this meeting?  What occurs if the board cannot come to deci...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/12/14/getting-ready-for-your-boards-reorganization-meeting

Social media and technology present special legal issues for school board members. Does technology use conflict with a board member’s responsibilities under the Open Public Meetings Act and the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/12/07/school-board-members-social-media-technology-legal-landm

NJSBA has new leadership with the appointment of Dr. Larry Feinsod as the Association’s executive director. What is his vision on how to improve NJSBA – and improve services to school boards?...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/11/30/talking-education-with-njsbas-new-executive-director-larry

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is much more than just science or math classes.  STEM is a curriculum philosophy that motivates students and generates greater student ach...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/11/13/what-is-stem-and-why-is-it-important-for-school-districts

On Aug. 6, Gov. Christie signed into law the TEACH NJ Act, the groundbreaking tenure-reform legislation that dramatically changes the way teacher tenure is acquired and kept in New Jersey schools...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/10/18/implementing-new-jerseys-new-teacher-tenure-reforms

This year for the first in New Jersey history we will be electing candidates to the local Boards of education in a November election.  Yet it does not matter much when the election is held becau...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/10/17/what-school-board-candidates-need-to-know-after-they-are-ele

The last two years have seen dramatic changes in public education in New Jersey.  Commissioner Christopher Cerf has made Education Reform a top priority.  Commissioner Cerf has made closing the...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/09/26/a-conversation-with-commissioner-christopher-cerf

Special education in public schools has always been a delicate balancing act between meeting the needs of the students while keeping costs within the district’s budget.  Litigation for school ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/09/21/what-school-boards-should-know-about-special-education-law

There have been important education reform measures passed with bipartisan support in 2012 with more measures proposed for the fall legislative session. Join Conversations on New Jersey Educatio...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/09/05/assembly-republican-leader-jon-brammnick-on-education

Whether the issue is meeting notices, minutes, committees or public comment periods, local boards of education and charter schools are governed by two laws: the Open Public Meetings Act and the O...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/07/11/proposed-changes-to-the-sunshine-law-open-public-records-ac

The way we evaluate teachers in New Jersey is going to change, and it started this year with 11 school districts piloting a new teacher-evaluation process. What were the lessons learned in these ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/06/19/lessons-learned-on-teacher-evaluations

Is it tough when it seems the whole world is looking to reform your profession? What does the average teacher think when they hear the public discourse on tenure reform and teacher evaluations? P...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/06/13/a-teachers-view-on-education-reform

Few New Jersey politicians can claim to have the experience of Sen. Richard Codey.  He served in the General Assembly from 1974-1981, and the State Senate since 1982. He spent several years in t...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/05/30/talking-education-and-politics-with-former-governor-dick-cod

How much should school districts spend on technology, and how can they be more efficient? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses ways that districts can save money through “virtualization�...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/05/11/how-school-districts-can-save-money-on-technology

Most school districts received an increase in state aid this year. However, New Jersey’s school-funding formulas – both the current one and previous versions – have been erratic, at best. ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/04/26/one-school-funding-formula-different-effects

Many believe that the education agenda of Gov. Christie and the Senate Democrats is not that far apart, but it is in the Assembly where much of the legislation – such as tenure reform and chart...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/04/10/a-conversation-with-assembly-education-committee-chair-patri

Under Governor Christie’s proposed budget, over 80 percent of school districts would receive a state aid increase in 2012-13.  But some will lose funding.  The NJ Department of Education’s ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/03/30/are-we-moving-forward-or-backward-on-school-funding-in-nj

In New Jersey, proposals to reform teacher tenure and change the way we evaluate teachers are being advanced like never before.  Initiatives being discussed in Trenton would alter how teachers a...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/03/23/two-sides-to-the-tenure-reformteacher-evaluation-discussion

New Jersey ranks near the bottom nationwide in the number of eligible students in participating in the School Breakfast Program.  Schools that participate in the program report both better healt...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/03/09/why-the-school-breakfast-program-may-be-right-for-your-distr

Governor Christie will be making his state budget address on February 21st and in addition his education reform agenda is being discussed in the statehouse.  What is the impact of the state budg...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/02/23/njea-njsba-perspectives-on-the-state-budget-and-education

The education reform proposals in New Jersey have focused primarily in two areas: school choice issues, such as vouchers and charter schools, and changing employment practices by reforming teache...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/02/13/do-we-need-to-change-school-boards-in-order-to-improve

When the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights was enacted last year, it was hailed as landmark legislation that would change the culture and environment in our schools – at no cost to school districts....

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/02/08/state-mandate-state-pay-yes-when-it-is-anti-bullying

For years the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has been among the most influential organizations in shaping state education policy.  Over the past two years the NJEA has had significant p...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/01/27/njea-ex-dir-vincent-giordano-discusses-education-reform

What is the fallout from the lame duck session?  What is the composition of the education committees in both the assembly and the senate of the NJ legislature?  What are the issues that educato...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/01/21/legislative-update-from-governmental-relations

Education reform has become a priority among New Jersey’s state legislators. In the fall, Governor Christie spoke about his education initiatives on NJSBA’s online radio program, Conversation...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/01/20/discussing-education-reform-issues-with-senator-tom-kean-jr

Is Moving the School Election to November Right For Your District?   Recently both houses of the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill that would give individual school boards the option of movin...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/01/13/is-moving-the-school-election-to-november-right-for-your-dis

The Sunshine Law – also known as the Open Public Meetings Act – is landmark legislation that guides school boards in how they communicate and operate, not only with the public but with distri...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/12/09/the-impact-of-the-ever-changing-technology-on-the-sunshine-l

NJSBA’s Urban Boards Committee is hosting a discussion on the education reform movement in New Jersey and what it means for school districts – especially those in urban settings.  Please joi...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/12/08/the-education-reform-movement-and-urban-school-districts

Senate President Stephen Sweeney has been instrumental in negotiating with Governor Christie on moving education legislation.  “In spite of deep-seated differences of opinion, Sweeney has been...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/12/02/a-conversation-on-education-issues-with-senate-president-swe

The institution of boards of education has always been criticized but in recent years the attacks have seemed to push legislation that undermines the authority of school boards.  What are the be...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/11/22/a-view-from-inside-nd-outside-on-the-effectiveness-of-s

Whether the issue is charter schools, vouchers, teacher evaluations or superintendent caps, the Christie Administration has changed the debate on public education in New Jersey. While the adminis...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/10/21/talking-with-a-critic-of-nj-education-reform

One of the challenges to the education reform movement is creating a more effective way to evaluate teachers.  Ten school districts in New Jersey have been selected to be pilot districts to impl...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/10/17/a-district-looks-at-changing-the-way-we-evaluate-teachers

The Open Public Meetings Act (also called the Sunshine Law) is the landmark legislationthat, for more than 30 years,has been the guiding law on open and transparent government in New Jersey.  Al...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/10/07/will-a-recent-ruling-change-what-we-know-about-closed-sessio

Governor Christie has made school choice, charter schools, tenure reform, teacher evaluations, and school funding all issues that he plans to address this year.  Change in education seems almost...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/09/23/a-conversation-on-the-education-reform-agenda-with-njsba-pre

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made education reform a top priority of his administration.  Whether the topic is teacher tenure, a new evaluation system, or charter schools and choice, G...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/09/08/a-conversation-with-governor-chris-christie-on-education

In this era of tight budgets,school districts must find creative ways to save costs. The Jackson Township School District employed energy audits to pinpoint possible cost reduction areas and to ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/08/24/one-school-districts-experience-in-reducing-energy-costs-by

Sometimes when the state passes laws like the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights we tend to focus on the issue from a statewide perspective.  Bullying in school however is a very personal matter.  As...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/08/11/a-students-solution-to-bullying-in-our-schools

Since 1990, school funding in New Jersey has been guided by the state Supreme Court’s decisions in Abbott v. Burke.   The rulings—and resulting school funding formulas—have not settled th...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/07/13/two-perspectives-on-school-funding-in-new-jersey

An effective superintendent and administrative team are crucial to the success of a school district.  But in Trenton, legislators are proposing even more dramatic changes to drastically shake-up...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/06/29/school-superintendents-and-the-education-reform-movement

The summer break of the state legislative session is fast approaching.  Before the legislature breaks, however, there are several pieces of important education legislation that NJSBA members sho...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/06/14/a-conversation-on-the-state-legislative-agenda-for-june-2011

One of the cornerstone efforts of the education reform movement is increasing the number of charter schools in New Jersey.  Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses this concept, as well as a...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/06/10/talking-with-an-advocate-for-more-charter-schools

Much of the education reform movement is centered around improving academic achievement in urban education.  Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, has been the focus of many of these reform effor...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/06/03/newark--education-reforms-foothold-in-nj

There has been much public debate on the role that charter schools should play in public education.  In this episode, host Ray Pinney discusses charter schools with Julia Sass Rubin from Save Ou...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/05/20/a-parentactivists-views-on-charter-schools

School funding in New Jersey is based upon the over 25  years of NJ Supreme Court rulings called the Abbott Decisions.  Decisions that have framed how education is funded in New Jersey and deci...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/05/13/arguing-for-the-abbott-school-districts-in-the-supreme-court

Over a generation of court decisions in the Abbott v. Burke ligation have shaped school funding in New Jersey.  The state Supreme Court’s rulings and their impact on education and taxes stir t...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/05/06/speaking-with-a-legislator-who-would-like-to-repeal-the-abbo

On March 1st, the Educators Effectiveness Task Force, which was appointed by Governor Christie, released its recommendations for changing the way we evaluate both teachers and building principals...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/04/29/gov-christies-administrations-new-way-of-evaluating-teache

Diane Ravitch is one of the nation’s leading educational historians. Ravitch is author of the book “The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermin...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/04/15/will-the-education-reform-agenda-be-able-to-deliver-on-its-promise

While Governor Christie through Executive Order 42 established a New Jersey Educator Effectiveness Task Force, a separate group of educators formed to create their own recommendations in the area...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/04/08/another-alternative-at-how-we-evaluate-teachers

On Jan. 5th Gov. Christie signed into law the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights which is historic legislation. By most accounts this legislation will have a dramatic impact in our school districts. Wh...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/03/25/the-implications-of-the-anti-bullying-bill-of-rights-law-on-nj-school-districts

What are teachers’ everyday concerns with proposals to change tenure, seniority rights, and evaluation methods? Ray Pinney, host of Conversations on New Jersey Education, will discuss these iss...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/03/18/talking-tenure-reform-with-a-teacher

Conversations on New Jersey Education, will feature the Assembly Education Committee Chairman Patrick Diegnan. Host Ray Pinney will interview Assemblyman Diegnan on pressing issues including the ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/03/11/assemblyman-education-committee-chair-patrick-diegnan-discusses-governors-education-reform-agenda

Those who are not familiar with school budgets receive many questions from citizens, such as, How are priorities set? What are a school district’s fixed costs? How does state aid affect propert...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/03/04/education-issues-for-the-non-educator-understanding-school-budgets-and-school-funding-in-2011

On February 22nd, Gov. Christie unveiled his state budget and introduced the "New Normal" in state finances. Please join host Ray Pinney and Michael A. Vrancik, NJSBA's director of governmental r...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/02/25/what-does-governor-christies-budget-message-mean-for-education

Gov. Chris Christie recently announced the approval of 23 new charter schools, and is proposing changes in the state’s charter law that would allow local school boards to authorize charter scho...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/02/11/the-future-of-charter-schools-in-new-jersey

The Opportunity Scholarship Act has received Senate Committee approval—with bi-partisan support. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the proposal with Christopher Emigholz, Director of Legisla...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/02/01/asre-school-vouchers-coming-to-new-jersey-part-2

The Opportunity Scholarship Act has received Senate Committee approval—with bi-partisan support. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the proposal with Gordon MacInnes, former New Jersey state ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/01/28/are-school-vouchers-coming-to-new-jersey

Governor Chris Christie has called 2011 “The Year of Education Reform,” and in Tuesday’s State of the State Address stressed that changes to the state’s public education system will be a ...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/01/14/the-governors-state-of-the-state-and-public-educat

School districts are facing challenges as they prepare their first budget under the new 2-percent hard cap. Join host Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator, as he discusses “The Reality...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2011/01/07/the-reality-and-repercussions-of-the-2-hard-cap

Governor Christie has appointed a nine member Education Effectiveness Task Force which is charged with creating a system that compensates teachers tied to student achievement. Please Join host Ra...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2010/12/17/changing-the-way-we-evaluate-teachers

Please join host Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator, as he discusses the implications of the proposed superintendent salary caps with NJSBA President Raymond Wiss. Will this proposal r...

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2010/12/10/capping-superintendent-salaries-good-or-bad-for-pu

NJSBA staffer Ray Pinney discussues reflects back on what he thought made an effective teacher. He also will touch on the charge of Governor Christie's Education Effectiveness Task Force.

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2010/11/08/a-podcast-on-a-very-effective-teacher