Education Issues / Budgets & Finance
Online Radio Program to Feature NJEA, NJSBA Perspectives
At 11 a.m. Feb. 23, NJSBA’s online radio program, Conversations on New Jersey Education, governmental relations specialists from NJSBA and the New Jersey Education Association will discuss the impact of the state budget and issues such as tenure reform. Program host Ray Pinney will discuss these issues with Ginger Gold Schnitzer, NJEA’s director of government relations, and Michael Vrancik, NJSBA’s director of governmental relations.
School Boards Debate November Elections
Legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 17 gives a community the option to change the election date through any one of three methods: a resolution by the local board of education; or a resolution by the municipal governing body; or voter referendum.
Read more in the January 24, 2012 issue of School Board Notes.
Discussing Education Reform Issues With Senator Tom Kean Jr
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, Conversations on New Jersey Education. That was followed by a broadcast featuring Sen. Stephen Sweeney, who gave the Democrats’ perspective. On this show Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. will discuss education reform from the perspective of Senate Republicans. Please join host Ray Pinney as he talks with Sen.
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 moving board member elections to November while at the same time eliminating the need for public approval of the school budget if it is at or below cap.
A Conversation on Education with Senate President Sweeney
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 able to work with the governor to build compromises and guide proposals such as pension and health benefit reform through the Legislature.”What can New Jersey residents expect from the senate in regard to school funding, tenure reform, teacher evaluations, and charter schools in the lame duck session as well as the next legislative session?
A View from Inside and Out on School Boards Effectiveness
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 benefits of school boards and where are they less successful? Gene Maeroff who is not only a senior fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University and a former national education correspondent for the New York Times but he is also a president on the Edison Township BOE has authored a book on the subject. The book
A Conversation on the Education Reform Agenda With NJSBA President
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 certain. What change will boards of education and school districts embrace? What change will boards of education and school districts oppose? NJSBA President Ray Wiss will join host Ray Pinney as they discuss the issues being debated at the state level. Feel free to join in on the conversation too by calling in with your questions.
One School District’s Experience in Reducing Energy Costs
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 create a plan that would save the school district money. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the use of energy audits with Michelle Richardson, Jackson Township district business administratorand, Tom Gialanella, superintendent, as well as Joe Sullivan, Concord Engineering’s vice presidentof Energy Policy & Development. Any district board member or administrator interested
Two Perspectives on School Funding in New Jersey
Since 1990, school funding in New Jersey has been guided by the state Supreme Court’s decisions in
Arguing for the Abbott School Districts in the Supreme Court
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 decisions that have both their detractors and their supporters. On this show host Ray Pinney interviews David Sciarra the Executive Director for the Education Law Center and the one who represents them at the Supreme Court hearings.