hespeNJSBA will once again partner with the New Jersey PTA to present the 2015 annual special joint Legislative Day. Local school board members and parents will have a chance to network with others from different districts, share information, and address legislators about the challenges facing public schools in New Jersey.

The day will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. The program will begin with invited legislators participating in a panel discussion moderated by John Mooney of NJ Spotlight. Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director, will speak on the importance of advocacy, while the NJSBA Governmental Relations Department will discuss current legislation and how to communicate with your legislator.

At 11 a.m., Mark Biedron, president of the New Jersey State Board of Education, will speak about the responsibilities of the State Board.

There will be a luncheon at 12:15 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Commissioner of Education David Hespe. Hespe is an accomplished education leader with decades of public service in New Jersey.  He was the education commissioner from 1999 through 2001, chief of staff at the New Jersey Department of Education from 2011 to 2012, former president of Burlington County College, and a former assistant superintendent and later interim superintendent in the Willingboro school district, among other positions.

From 2009 to 2011, he was chairman of the board of trustees of the Education Leadership Foundation of New Jersey (ELFNJ), a nonprofit that works with NJSBA to advance public education governance through training, research and attaining grants to further professional development.

The Legislative Day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, June 11 at the Wyndham Garden Trenton, West Lafayette St., Trenton. Free parking is available in the hotel garage, adjacent to the building. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m.

There is no fee to attend this program, but pre-registration is required by Friday, June 5. School board members, charter school trustees or business administrators registering a board for this program, please click here. NJSBA’s Board Member Academy offers two credits for attending the program.