Get advice on policy updates required to comply with the recently enacted “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.” The session will cover responsibilities of board members, administrators and staff in implementing the legislation.
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.
"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.
A roundtable discussion on the need for broad-based training and practical solutions to problems of implementation such as staff buy-in, informing the community, educating students, and hearings, and due process.
Navigating the ins and outs of the Open Public Meetings Act can make all the difference between a constructive meeting with an informed public or a invalid meeting with lawsuits and public relations nightmares. Recently the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court gave important guidance to Boards of Education and other public bodies regarding the timing, sequence and subject matter of executive session discussions and public discussions in the case of McGovern v. Rutgers Board of Governors. By reviewing this case, other relevant cases, and the OPMA, the discussion will focus on potential pitfalls and best practices to help board members and boards make sure they respect important privacy rights while ensuring the rights of the public to see and comment upon democracy in action.
Participants will see sample fraudulent documents and view a live online demonstration detailing the ease and speed of determining a student's actual residence using new online database technology. This is the same technology and databases used by credit card companies to quickly identify potential fraud now available to school districts.
Hiring staff is a critical function of a board of education. But what personnel documents are board members entitled to see to make informed decisions? This session will examine the legal parameters and ethical considerations of accessing personnel information and explore practical tips on getting pertinent material without crossing the line into micromanagement.