Prepare to assume your new role. Explore the responsibilities, boundaries of authority, and mechanisms of school governance. Understand the mandates of the Bullying Law and the School Ethics Act. Learn the fundamentals of policymaking, collective bargaining, and evaluating the superintendent. This format includes presentations by specialists, analyses of case studies, and problem simulations. Discuss issues with NJSBA staff. Completion of this course satisfies the requirements of the School Ethics Act.
Student Achievement needs to be every board's top priority. All board members want their students to succeed but often don't understand their role in creating the vision and conditions for student success. Board members need the knowledge and confidence to discuss student achievement at the board table and collaborately build a system that focuses on improved student learning.
The conversation begins with the belief that all children can learn and board members make the difference in creating districts where all students reach their highest potential!
In order to establish parameters for upcoming negotiations, it is essential that the management team can identify and understand costs in the current contract. We will teach the participants how to analyze these cost factors, emphasizing, but not limited to salary and health care benefits.
It is often a problem for boards to keep track of all the policies that the law requires the board to annually review. This group session will comprehensively cover committee strategies to facilitate and organize the annual board review and revision of policies as mandated by law. The focus shall include harassment, intimidation and bullying, and the code of student conduct as models for the discussion.
The program format shall include Power Point presentation, lecture and discussion. Handouts shall include model and sample policies, a chart of all policy topics that require annual review which details specific review requirements (i.e. public and staff participation, community involvement etc.), committee organization strategies and mock calendar.
Understand strategic planning as a unique opportunity to set your district's course in line with your identified needs, being aware of the interests and demands of your district, attuned to future possibilities and aware of both the internal and external forces that will influence your journey. Attendees will take part in an activity that recognizes the strength of an organized process, will brainstorm the elements of excellence, will participate in a quiz, and will discuss their educational beliefs.
This course is designed to enable all board members in their third year of their first term in office to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states, ”The board member shall complete a training program on school district governance in each of the subsequent two years of the board member’s first term.”
This course is designed to enable all board members in their second year of their first term in office to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states, "The board member shall complete a training program on school district governance in each of the subsequent two years of the board member's first term."
This course is designed to enable all board members in the first year of a re-elected or re-appointed term to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states. " Within one year after each re-election or re-appointment to the board of education, the board member shall complete an advanced training program. This training program shall include information on relevant changes to NJ school law and other information deemed appropriate to enable the board member to serve more effectively."
This session will help Charter School Board of Trustees members and School Leaders to learn the importance of having an updated policy manual; What should be in their policy manual and why;How to organize their policy manual for quick and easy access; and to provide them with tools and services available to them to assist them in keeping their manual updated.
TBD
Student Achievement needs to be every board's top priority. All board members want their students to succeed but often don't understand their role in creating the vision and conditions for student success. Board members need the knowledge and confidence to discuss student achievement at the board table and collaborately build a system that focuses on improved student learning.
The conversation begins with the belief that all children can learn and board members make the difference in creating districts where all students reach their highest potential!
Financial resources are being stretched as never before, employment costs continue to rise and the expectations of the public and unions are often completely at odds. In this environment, negotiating school labor contracts becomes an even more difficult, and crucial, challenge. Come hear from experienced practitioners and school negotiators who will provide advice and information that can help your district achieve its bargaining goals.
Our session will have two moderators-one familiar with members' present advocacy activities and one familiar with the operation of local legislative offices and lobbying strategies. Through narratives and questions posed to four legislative aides, representing both political parties, and with NJSBA members with an interest in politics and advocacy, the moderators will demonstrate the importance of establishing and maintaining a two way dialogue with local district legislators, who direct the educational and fiscal policies that board members and administrators must follow in the governance and operation of school districts.
Building on the themes presented in his book, School Cannot Do It Alone, Jamie makes the case that this is public education’s most hopeful time. He acknowledges the threats arising from multiplying mandates, shifting demographics, media hype, and a changing economy. But he demonstrates how all districts can marshal the tremendous resources at their disposal to initiate a conversation that produces the Four Prerequisites of Progress: community understanding, trust, permission to change, and support. This presentation includes the popular "Blueberry Story" and a discussion of the mental affliction "Nostesia" – a disease comprised of 50% nostalgia, 50% amnesia, which prevents Americans from appreciating the achievements of their local schools.
Whether they write for traditional newspapers, post on a community news websites or publish their own blogs, responsible reporters need concise, accurate and timely information. Ask NJSBA's communications experts about the best approaches to take when working with the news media.
Participants will learn how to make board meetings "media friendly," steps school districts can take to ensure accurate coverage, and common-sense approaches to follow when communicating with the news media.
Roundtable discussion on board committees. NJSBA policy consultant, David Bosted will answers concerns, discuss what other school districts may be doing and offer suggestions and advise on policy language.
NJSBA policy consultant will answer questions and discuss protecting and encouraging student health, what other school districts may be doing and offer suggestions and advise on policy language.
Come and hear about proposed legislative issues, including tenure reform, affecting board members and school districts.
Get answers to their district specific questions.... and cement relationships with the Field Service Department.
Learn how your district can utilize technology to engage your parents, citizens and constituents. We’ll explain how you can use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Podcasts to connect with your community to share your district’s story. We'll hear first hand from a Superintendent recently launched her district Facebook page and from a social savvey former Edison High School student who rocked her school vote last April.
We'll show you how you can use web-based solutions to enable you to sell tickets for district events and fundraisers. We’ll explain how hyper-local news sites are transforming how citizens get the news. This fast paced presentation will help you and your district look at technology you can use, instead of technology you might be afraid of.
Join us on a super exciting virtual field trip at the TD Bank Theatre on the showfloor as we demonstrate how your district can leverage the Cisco TelePresence system to take students on virtual field trips. In this simulation, your scheduled mission puts you onboard the the space station as it glides through the silence of space, two hundred and fifty miles above the earth. The station's solar panels bathe in the sun's rays, generating the electrical energy vital to the station's systems. Everything appears tranquil and safe. A major solar flare, however, is about to erupt. We'll ask for a few volunteers from the audience to help us save the day while showing you how your students can take advantage of this technology saving your district money!
"Personal Learning Plans" is a national trend and a proven technique to get middle school and early HS students thinking about possible careers, and what it is required to get from (a) where they are now to (b) a successful career. PLPs don't have to be complicated or expensive. Career Days for 8th graders is a related tool for motivating students and making them consider alternatives. This session will also mention "Career Academies" and related ideas for making successful transitions from school to college and career.
Participants will be given the basic information on important PERC and Court decisions effecting labor relations in the schools. Question and answer session with participants.
In print or online, school district publications are a valuable vehicle for getting your district’s message out. This session will discuss both print and online publications – the advantages and disadvantages of both regulations that govern content, and how to publish district news on the web. Learn how your message should be crafted differently for an Internet audience. View examples of good New Jersey school district communications vehicles.
The "new" news media represents a growing opportunity to communicate with your school district's stakeholders, but blogs, online publications, social media sites and the like also present unique challenges for districts. Explore this topic with a distinguished panel of speakers, including veteran education reporter John Mooney, a founder of NJSpotlight.com
Join us for a live Mock Board of Education meeing and learn he in'[s and out's of how meetings should or should not be conducted.
Being the Board President can be a challenging position. A board president must balance the needs of all to be heard with the need to use the board’s time efficiently and effectively. Whether the issue is personnel, a divided board, or public participation, the board president’s leadership can help guide the board through these difficult situations.
Using scenarios brought by both the presenters and those in attendance, the attendees will be given legal and practical information to navigate through the challenges they face. The roles and responsibilities of the Board President before, during and after the board meeting along with the Board President’s relationship with fellow board members and the administration will all be part of this discussion.
The Board-Superintendent relationship is central to effective school governance. This Action Lab focusses on how the Board can help make their new Superintendent's transition a success. Hands on activities include small group brainstorming sessions on how the Board can help or hinder the transition, a puzzle exercise that defines the roles of the Board and Superintendent, a quiz about the Board's role in governance, and a large group discussion of the key importance of communication in the Board-Superintendent relationship.
This hands-on action lab will cover all aspects of the superintendent search process. We will explain areas of responsibility of the CSA and have small groups reach consensus on their expectations. The next step is the Preparation Stage where we will discuss the decisions that have to be made. In small groups the attendees will participate in a hands on activity on setting up the search criteria. The next step is the Processing Stage, which involves setting up a calendar, the application, and the interviews. In small groups the participants will review the legality of interview questions. The last phase in the process is the Final Selection Stage. In this stage we will discuss choosing the finalists, district visits, negotiating the contract, and picking the new superintendent.
Join us in the TD Bank Theatre for an important and informative presentation by Beata Caranci, Associate Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist at TD Bank Financial Group.
Ms. Caranci will discuss the economy, the economic outlook and what it means to you and your district.
This course is designed to enable all board members in their third year of their first term in office to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states, ”The board member shall complete a training program on school district governance in each of the subsequent two years of the board member’s first term.”
Join us for an informative session on the resources, services, and data available to you as a member through New Jersey School Boards Association. View a live demonstration of the Labor Relations web page and learn where to find valuable information on breaking issues, teachers’ settlement rates, salary guide, insurance comparisons and other hot topics. A must see for new members, as well as a great refresher for our experienced members!
Come find out how will this summer's new pension and health benefit law impacts your district and its negtotiations with its employee organizations.
Participants will be led through the grievance process from the constitutional & statutory requirements to the appeal process. Particular attention will be paid to the necessary contract lanaguge and the standards which may be utilized in grievance arbitration. Participants will be asked to prepare the "issue" presented to the arbitrator based upon a hypothetical fact pattern.
It is often a problem for boards to keep track of all the policies that the law requires the board to annually review. This group session will comprehensively cover committee strategies to facilitate and organize the annual board review and revision of policies as mandated by law. The focus shall include harassment, intimidation and bullying, and the code of student conduct as models for the discussion.
The program format shall include Power Point presentation, lecture and discussion. Handouts shall include model and sample policies, a chart of all policy topics that require annual review which details specific review requirements (i.e. public and staff participation, community involvement etc.), committee organization strategies and mock calendar.
This program has been perennially popular as an Action Lab at Workshop, but can also be delivered in a compact, cogent format as a floor session. Some districts are already delivering Option II programs, but many more have not yet started. Many board members are not aware of how valuable Option II can be to save parents money while expanding the curriculum and facilitating a successful transition from HS to college. Board members can learn about policy resources in this area and other areas related to improving student academic achievement, at NJSBA.
The purpose of the action lab will be to provide school board members and school administrators with an overview of a school district’s ability to discipline certified and non-certified school employees. The participants will receive an overview of the applicable statutory and regulatory procedures regarding increment withholdings, tenure charges, suspensions and terminations. The participants will also receive an overview of recent case law illustrating examples of permissible discipline.
Understand strategic planning as a unique opportunity to set your district's course in line with your identified needs, being aware of the interests and demands of your district, attuned to future possibilities and aware of both the internal and external forces that will influence your journey. Attendees will take part in an activity that recognizes the strength of an organized process, will brainstorm the elements of excellence, will participate in a quiz, and will discuss their educational beliefs.
The evaluation process is critical to the success of the school district. Participants will view the process form start to finish, including our online version for both CSA evaluation and self evaluation. Learn how to write a CSA narrative based on majority opinion and how to construct an effective professional development plan.
This course is designed to enable all board members in their second year of their first term in office to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states, "The board member shall complete a training program on school district governance in each of the subsequent two years of the board member's first term."
Charter schools, school choice and the Opportunity Scholarship Act are being touted as reform options for children in failing schools. However, many questions remain, on issues such as accountability and funding. Panelists will discuss both sides of the issue.
With the implementation of superintendent salary caps in conjunction with the accountability regulations, the ability of a board to recruit and retain a quality superintendent has become more complex. Our goal is to provide board members with the ins and outs of negotiating a new superintendent contract that will enable the board to fairly remunerate the superintendent while maintaining their fiduciary responsibility to their community.
The negotiations environment is changing rapidly and board members need to know the latest changes to the law and tactics which are being utilized. Board members also need to know what the latest trends are in negotiations.
The state board will discuss the most pressing issues in public education in a question and answer format. Topics include: tenure and teacher evaluations; charter schools and school choice; school funding; regulations and their implementation; and the role school boards will play in education reform.
Tenure reform and teacher evaluations are key issues in the education reform movement. Panelists on both sides of the issue will offer their viewpoints.
This course is designed to enable all board members in their first year of their re-elected or re-appointed term in office to meet the mandate under the school district accountability law which states, "Within one year after each re-election or re-appointment to the board of education, the board member shall complete an advanced training program. This advanced training program shall included information on relevant changes to NJ school law and other information deemed appropriate to enable the board member to serve more effectively.
During this session, NJSBA will discuss the current issues in school law.
As Acting Commissioner, Christopher Cerf oversees New Jersey’s 2,500 public schools, 1.4 million students, and 110,000 teachers in over 600 school districts. Commissioner Cerf will discuss issues effecting public education in New Jersey and his vision for the future.
