The NJSBA Board of Directors met on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the Association’s headquarters in Trenton. The board:
- Heard a report of the NJSBA Nominating Committee.
- Approved the appointment of James Gaffney, Oakland Board of Education, Bergen County, to fill a vacant position for an at-large member from the northeast region on the 2017-2019 NJSBA Nominating Committee.
- Approved the open session minutes of the Nov. 18, 2016 meeting.
- Approved the 2017 Legislative Committee appointments.
- Approved the 2017 Resolutions Subcommittee appointments.
- Received an update from the Executive Director on Association activities including NJSBA’s testimony on the Accountability Regulations before the NJDOE on Jan. 9 and 11; recent legislation, including the creation of a new category of law enforcement officers, Class III officers, recommended by the NJSBA School Security Task Force, and the new law creating a Response to Intervention (RTI) initiative in the N.J. Department of Education (NJDOE), recommended by the NJSBA Task Force on Special Education; a new effort with the NJDOE, “Finding, Buying and Saving Technology for Schools,” the goal of which is to help local boards of education procure the technological equipment they need for 21st century education programs; the NJSBA’s relationship with the U.S. Army to advance STEAM education, which resulted in one of the most successful features at Workshop 2016, the STEAM Tank Challenge; new projects such as regional leadership training and a new podcast series, “School Law Today;” and the State Board of Education’s recognition of the 16th annual School Board Recognition Month.
- The advocacy update included a report on the impact of the three state school funding proposals, NJSBA’s testimony regarding school funding, and possible federal funding reallocation under the new administration.
- Received an update on activities from the NJSBA president, vice president for county activities, vice president for finance, vice president for legislation/resolutions, and immediate past president.
- Recognized Tom Kasper, retiring board of directors member representing Somerset County, for his commitment to the children of his district and his dedication to the work of the New Jersey School Boards Association.
- Discussed how to effectively incorporate technology into schools.
Information items included Association financials; legal case summary; President’s Qualification Survey Sample; NJSBA president’s and officers’ reports; 2017-2018 Association holidays; NJSBA 2015-2017 Strategic Plan update; and the Governor’s Proclamation of January 2017 as School Board Recognition Month.