The NJSBA Board of Directors met on Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Association’s headquarters in Trenton. The board:
- Approved $225,000 to replace a 20-year old chiller, a major component of the air conditioning/HVAC system, which has exceeded its life expectancy. (Purchase-Installation of Major HVAC Component)
- Approved a $50,000 donation to Sustainable Jersey for Schools to support the program’s continued service to local school districts. (Donation to Sustainable Jersey for Schools).
- Approved the open session minutes of the March 3, 2017 meeting.
- Approved the Legislative Committee appointments.
- The executive director’s report focused on progress toward the goals of NJSBA’s strategic plan in recent months, including bridging the student achievement gap; building relationships with other organizations to help NJSBA advocate effectively and support NJSBA programing such as advancing STEAM education, the Future Ready Schools program, and addressing the impact of labor-management collaboration on teaching and learning; successful advocacy efforts such as the favorable action concerning the superintendent salary cap, two new laws that emanated from NJSBA’s school security and special education reports, legislation expanding the number of schools eligible to receive reimbursement for lead testing, and the increasing number of legislators attending county school boards association meetings; the executive director’s visits to all 21 county school boards associations; increased training and direct services, including online governance training, regional programming and new programs, such as the student achievement conference scheduled for May 30, 2017 and the opioid conference held on May 3; and, NJSBA’s continuing efforts to increase non-dues revenue through public-private partnerships.
- Received a presentation on the need to replace the chiller on the HVAC system and on NJSBA’s BoardDocs program.
- The advocacy update included a report on the impact of the proposed funding formulas on school districts, and the state Legislature finally recognizing that the solution to the school funding challenges are much more difficult than initially thought. The state Senate and Assembly are beginning to realize that there is no easy fix and that long-term planning is what is needed.
- Recognized the following new alternate members: Michael Heller, representing Essex County, and Lisa Weinstock, representing Somerset County.
- Recognized retiring Board of Directors officers John Bulina, immediate past president, and Jason Jones, vice president for legislation and resolutions.
- Discussed school environmental concerns and requirements including carbon monoxide detectors, lead testing, mercury and radon.
Information items included Association financials; BoardDocs Service flyer; DA update (May 20, 2017), legal case summary; NJSBA Governance Calendar 2017-2018; and NJSBA president’s and officers’ reports.