The NJSBA Board of Directors met on Friday, March 16, 2018, at the Association’s headquarters in Trenton.
The board approved the Association’s 2018-2019 budget. Highlights include:
- Maintaining district dues at the current level—representing the ninth consecutive year without an increase;
- Increasing non-dues revenue to 35.5 percent of total, thereby reducing reliance on dues to the lowest level in NJSBA history;
- Increasing overall revenues with non-dues-based income through Workshop sponsorships and exhibits, the NJSBA TEC program, and BoardDocs;
- Continuing the provision of state-required training as a dues-based service;
The board also approved submission of a resolution to the May 19 Delegate Assembly. The resolution proposes expanded policy on school security. (See article in this week’s School Board Notes.)
In addition, the Board of Directors also approved:
- The open session minutes of the January 26, 2018 meeting;
- Legislative Committee appointments
School Security: Executive Director Dr. Larry Feinsod updated the Board of Directors on NJSBA efforts to assist school boards in the area of school security and student safety. (See update in this week’s School Board Notes.)
Jersey City Teachers Strike: In response to the Jersey City teachers’ union work-stoppage, NJSBA offered the Jersey City school board its support by reaching out to the board president and the district’s general counsel. NJSBA also issued a press statement, expressing its absolute support of the Jersey City Board of Education, and urging the teachers to put down the picket signs and get back to the classroom. (See article in this week’s School Board Notes.)
Proposed State Budget: Dr. Feinsod summarized Governor Murphy’s proposed budget, which would increase formula aid to school districts by $283.6 million. No school district would experience funding cuts under the plan, and 94 percent of the state’s school districts would see increased aid, according to the governor’s office. The proposal would expand pre-kindergarten, a focus of the NJSBA Strategic Plan approved by the Board of Directors in November. And it would advance education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Critically important, Governor Murphy has made a commitment to fully fund the state aid formula within four years.
During the Legislature’s budget deliberations, NJSBA will continue to emphasize the predicament faced by underfunded school districts.
Individual school district state aid numbers were released Thursday afternoon, March 15. Districts will use those figures in developing their budgets for 2018-2019. However, NJSBA staff caution districts that there is no certainty that announced state aid numbers will remain in place at the conclusion of the appropriations process in June.
Other Business: The Board of Directors recognized Amber Umphlett, the new alternate member representing Atlantic County.
In addition, the Board of Directors:
- Received reports from the Executive Director, President, Immediate Past President, Vice President for County Activities ,Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions, and Vice President for Finance.
- Provided information on developments in school security in their respective districts.
Information items included the Association Financials, GO/3260R – Sale of Association Automobiles; NJSBA Legal Case Summary; and written copies of the NJSBA President and Officer’s reports.