INFORMATION ITEM

MEMORANDUM

Attached are the reports from the following officers:

President

Vice President for County Activities

Vice President for Finance

Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions

To: Officers, Board of Directors Members/Alternates

From: Lawrence S. Feinsod, Ed.D., Executive Director

Date: February 5, 2021

Re: NJSBA President and Officers’ Reports

New Jersey School Boards Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Report of the President

Mike McClure

February 5, 2021

Association Activities

On November 16. I attended the County Association Leadership (CAL) meeting. The meeting

was focused on topics that the county leaders requested. These meeting have been filled with

information that helps out county leaders do their job of helping their local boards.

On November 21, I hosted the Delegate Assembly from Headquarters in Trenton. It went very

smoothly with the help of all the board members. Also because of the great job that Karen

Cortellino, VP for Legislation/Resolutions, did in presenting the resolutions.

On November 24, I attended the Equity Council meeting. There were some good topics

discussed such as the 20-21 District Equity Goals survey and Anti-Bias Education and Holidays:

Making Thoughtful Decisions.

On December 2, I attended the Atlantic County meeting on the topic of School Assessments.

Samantha Elko, director of guidance at Egg Harbor Township School District, did a great job and

clarified many concerns and questions for the board members.

On December 3, I attended the Burlington County meeting we had a very good attendance and, as

always, Jeff Hicks ran a smooth and engaging meeting. The staff was very helpful with all their

updates. The topic on equity was very good and many questions were answered.

On December 5, I attended the Legislative Committee meeting, where again, Karen, VP for

Legislation/Resolutions, ran a great meeting. The committee was focused and had some very good

conversation to make the resolutions the best they could be.

On December 7, I attended the Cape May County meeting on the topic of the ACES program. It was

very informative and will help boards save money on energy.

On December 8, I attended the Finance Committee meeting. This meeting was Dr. Tom Conner’s

last as he did not get reelected to his board. This committee worked very hard at legislation that will

help our school districts.

On December 9, I attended the Camden/Gloucester County meeting. The meeting included an open

dialog about Hybrid vs Virtual learning. Awards were presented to nine board members who

achieved their certified boardsmenship through training.

On December 18, I attended Frank Belluscio’s virtual retirement event. The staff did a great job of

honoring him for his many years of service to NJSBA and for all his words of wisdom. We wished

Frank the best of luck in his furfure endeavors.

On January 6, I went to headquarters in Trenton to participate in the virtual meeting with the State

Board of Education to receive a resolution honoring January 2021 as School Board Recognition

month. Larry and I said a few words and thanked the Governor and the State Board for their

acknowledgement of the hard work of board of education members.

On January 12, I attended our Executive Committee meeting in Trenton. All the department directors

and our VP’s participated virtually. The reports from our newest leaders and the executive director

were very informative. It is also very assuring that our Association is in good shape and always

headed in the right direction.

On January 16, we conducted a training session for the 2020-2021 Nominating Committee. It went

very well. Kathy Helewa, NJSBA field service representative and Immediate Past President Dan

Sinclair did a very good job. I feel we have a very solid committee to select our next slate of

candidates for office.

On January 21, I attended the Camden/Gloucester County meeting, where field service

representatives Jesse Adams and Terry Lewis talked about the needs of boards of education in the

next few months. Jonathan Pushman, director of Governmental Relations, talked to the group about

all that is going on in Trenton and provided a very helpful question and answer session.

On January 26, I attended the Cumberland/Salem County meeting on Foundations For Success. I

gave opening remarks and thanked all in attendance for their contribution to children’s education in

the great state of New Jersey.

On January 26, I attended the Equity Council meeting during which NJSBA Educator-in-

Residence Vincent DeLucia, staff leadership on the Council, presented information and updates

on the fantastic work that he and the Council members are doing.

I would like to thank you, the Board of Directors, for your continued support of the Association. It is

with that support and your input that makes this the best School Board Association in the country.

Thank you,

Michael McClure

President

New Jersey School Boards Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Report of the Vice President for County Activities

Bruce Young

February 5, 2021

County Activities

As most of you are aware, the county officers and board of director members have been meeting

informally every other Monday to get updates and share information since the pandemic

started. The attendance has been very good with between 50-60 people at every meeting. They

last about one hour and the topics are selected by the members. If you have a topic you would

like addressed just let me know.

We have addressed a variety of issues such as school budgeting, addressing students falling

behind and school security. A very interesting and inspiring change presented to us was about

one school changing their school tradition of voting for a Homecoming king and a queen to an

election of “Knights of the Round Table.” The meetings are recorded if you want to listen

later. I have received a number of positive remarks about these meetings.

As for the county meetings themselves, attendance has been very good. They have been very

interactive with a great deal of sharing among the members with the focus obviously being on

issues surrounding the pandemic.

In addition we are also working hard on the student programs which this year will be virtual

programs.

New Jersey School Boards Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Report of the Vice President for Finance

Tammeisha Smith

February 5, 2021

Association Finance

2020 – 2021 Fiscal Year

o Through November 2020 we are favorable to the year-to-date budget, primarily due to:

The 2020 Virtual Workshop far exceeded its budgeted registration fees and

sponsorships.

Charter school memberships - these voluntary memberships are running well

ahead of plan.

Superintendent searches (fee-based service) exceeded the budgeted level.

Annual BoardDocs subscriptions are being renewed at a higher-than-budgeted

rate.

TEC (Technology for Educations & Careers) Income – the largest-ever quarterly

fee of $55K was recently received from SHI.

Wages – several staff vacancies.

Travel expenses are underrunning the budget due to COVID-19 restrictions.

2021 – 2022 Budget

o All proposed departmental budgets have been reviewed with the Executive Director &

Finance Director.

o The departmental budgets are being combined and the consolidated budget will soon be

reviewed with the Executive Director.

o Once the proposed, consolidated budget has been completed, it will be reviewed with

the Finance Committee (on February 22nd) and then with the full Board at its March,

19th meeting.

Association Activities

We have embarked on a new year, still facing uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I

couldn’t be more proud of our membership for being so engaged. With the 2020-2021 school year in

full swing, we stay committed to educating and supporting our membership. Attending regularly

scheduled County SBA Meetings via WebEx throughout the state has been great. It’s wonderful to

have such an increase in attendance via our virtual meetings. I attended the following County SBA

Meetings:

November 17th – Warren County SBA Meeting

November 19th – Hunterdon County SBA Meeting

December 1st – Bergen County SBA Meeting

December 2nd – Somerset County SBA Meeting

December 3rd – Burlington County SBA Meeting

December 7th – Cape May County SBA Meeting

December 9th – Camden/Gloucester SBA Meeting

January 28th – Sussex County SBA Meeting

In addition to the numerous County SBA Meetings I also attend the following NJSBA

Meetings/Events:

November 13th – Board of Directors Meeting

November 16th – County Association Leadership Meeting

November 21st – Delegate Assembly Meeting

November 30th - County Association Leadership Meeting

December 5th – Legislative Committee Meeting

January 11th – Finance Committee Meeting

January 12th – Executive Committee Meeting

It’s not all work, it was my pleasure to attend Frank Belluscio’s virtual retirement party on December

18. Frank made us all look great and he will truly be missed.

The 2020-2021 school year has proved to be very challenging for so many thus far, but our great staff

at NJSBA and our amazing members continue to adapt with the changing times. Great job done by all

in supporting NJ’s 1.4M students and helping NJ rank #1 in the country for education.

New Jersey School Boards Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Report of the Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions

Karen Cortellino, M.D.

February 5, 2021

Legislative Update:

New Education-Related Enactments

QSAC Relief P.L.2020, c.143 (A-4975/S-3187) grants school districts relief from the QSAC

review process during the public health emergency. This legislation was one the NJSBA’s

“pandemic advocacy agenda” priorities. NJSBA strongly advocated for passage of this

measure and worked closely with the bill’s sponsor, NJASA, NJDOE and the Front Office to

craft and advance this measure, a previous version of which was vetoed by the governor in

October 2020.

School Audit Delay P.L.2020, c.130 (S-3043/A-4603) provide school districts with

additional time, due to the public health emergency, to file their required annual audits with

the commissioner of education extends the deadline for the completion of the annual audit of

the 2019-2020 school fiscal year until Jan. 31, 2021 and its submission to the commissioner

until Feb. 5, 2021. The bill also provides that a school district is required to submit the Audit

Summary for the 2019-2020 school year to the N.J. Department of Education by Jan. 4, 2021.

Amistad Commission P.L.2020, c.153 (S-1028/A-3601) amends the law creating the

Amistad Commission and will require all boards of education to include instruction that

infuses into all courses about the United States the centuries of accomplishments by African

Americans in the building and development of America.

Chapter 44 Amendments P.L.2020, c.137 (A-4905/S-3045) amends “Chapter 44”, the new

school employee health benefits law, to explicitly permit private health insurers to offer the

NJ Educators Health Plan (NJEHP) to local boards of education who do not participate in the

School Employees Health Benefits Plan. It also modifies employee contributions for the

NJEHP and its equivalent by clarifying that the salary on which an employee’s contribution

is based under “Chapter 44” is capped at $125,000. The law’s provisions will also be

applicable to the Garden State Health Plan, to be established by July 2021.

Noteworthy Legislative Activity

COVID-Related Learning Loss Study The full Senate has approved S-3214, sponsored by

Senate Education Committee Chair Teresa Ruiz, which would require the NJDOE to issue

two reports on the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on public schooling.

The NJSBA’s October 2020 report entitled Reopening Schools: Online Learning and the

Digital Divide, included a recommendation for the NJDOE to develop a statewide report

regarding student learning during the pandemic. The NJSBA believes that this study and

report would be an important step toward developing a funded strategic plan to help address

remediation. The NJSBA testified in support of the bill’s objective, while also cautioning

against the imposition of any additional overly burdensome responsibilities on staff during

this challenging time. The Assembly Education Committee has also advanced the measure,

along with its counterpart A-5126, which is now primed for a final floor vote.

COVID-19 Procurement The State Senate has approved A-4461, which requires the state to

enter into contracts and coordinate with certain cooperative purchasing systems to assist

public schools in the purchase of COVID-19 related goods and services. NJSBA supports the

bill, which is part of the Association’s “Pandemic Advocacy Agenda”. The bill now returns

to the General Assembly, which passed a previous version of the bill in August, to concur

with amendments made in the Senate. From there, the bill will go to the governor.

Budget Flexibility The full Senate and an Assembly committee have advanced S-2691/A-

4310. The bill authorizes school districts to maintain a surplus at 4% for the 2020-2021 and

2021-2022 school years, and permits the use or transfer of those funds between line items

and program categories without the approval of the commissioner of education. NJSBA

supports the legislation, which is also part of the Association’s pandemic advocacy agenda.

Mental Health Package The Assembly Education Committee has advanced a package of

five bills (A-4433/A-4434/A-4435/A-4436/A-4437) designed to enhance mental health

services in NJ’s public schools. This legislative package, spearheaded by Assembly Majority

Leader Lou Greenwald, reflects many of the recommendations in NJSBA’s October 2019

report, Building a Foundation for Hope. NJSBA staff worked closely with the Majority

Leader and his staff during the development of these bills and testified in support of the

package during committee deliberations.

Anti-Bullying Law Revisions The full Senate has passed S-1790 (formerly known as

“Mallory’s Law”) which revises processes required in school district's anti-bullying policies;

provides for increased fines and potential civil liability of parent of minors adjudicated

delinquent for cyber-harassment or harassment; and contains proactive measures, including

the creation of a state level School Climate State Coordinator to serve as a direct resource to

parents, students and educators concerning harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB). The

NJSBA worked closely with sponsor and other advocacy groups to obtain amendments that

addressed our concerns and allowed us to support the bill. The bill has not yet received

consideration in the Assembly.

Teacher Diversity Package The Senate Education Committee advanced a package of bills,

sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz, aimed at increasing the diversity of the state’s education

workforce, preventing teacher shortages, and cultivating inclusive learning environments.

NJSBA supported measures that would 1) provide loan redemption to bilingual/ESL teachers

(S-2825); 2) establish a mentorship program for men of color aspiring to become teachers (S-

2829); 3) encourage young women and minorities to pursue degrees and careers in STEM (S-

2854); and 4) establish a “Teacher Apprenticeship Program” that would offer stipends and

provide program participants with the education and field experience necessary to obtain

teaching certificates (S-2833).

Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers A-4783/S-2831 would establish a five-year “Alternate

Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program” that would create a path for eligible out-of-state

educators to teach in New Jersey. The bill aims to address shortages of qualified teachers,

particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the program, selected educator

preparation programs in the state – which distribute Certificates of Eligibility, the credential

needed for teachers to seek employment in New Jersey schools - would accept out-of-state

candidates who meet all requirements as well as their earned credits from other programs.

NJSBA supports the measure, which has passed the Senate and awaits a floor vote in the

Assembly.

Diversity and Inclusion Instruction Both the Senate and General Assembly have approved

legislation, A-4454/S-2781, that would require school districts to include instruction on

diversity and inclusion as part of the implementation of New Jersey Student Learning

Standards. The bill is currently on the governor’s desk.

Federal Update

In late December, Congress passed and now former President Trump signed the $900 billion

pandemic emergency response bill titled the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental

Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. The legislation appropriates approximately $84 billion for

education funding, including over $54 billion in support for K-12 schools through the

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II), which is approximately

four times more than the $13 billion included in the CARES Act passed in March 2020. New

Jersey is slated to receive over $1.2 billion from the ESSER II, compared to the roughly $310

million allocation from the CARES Act. The CRRSA retains all the same uses of ESSER funds

as under the CARES Act, while slightly expanding permissible use of funds, such as addressing

learning loss among students, making facility improvements that help reduce risk of virus

transmission and exposure to other environmental health hazards, and improving the indoor air

quality of school facilities.

NJSBA deemed passage of the CRRSA as a positive first step and appreciates the additional aid,

but remains concerned that more assistance will be necessary to help districts face, and

effectively address, the enormous and ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic. The National

School Boards Association has advocated for $200 billion in emergency funding for public

schools across the country.

President Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, which would include $130 billion to

assist K-12 schools reopen.

State of the State

On Tuesday, Jan 12th, Governor Murphy delivered his third State of the State address. On the

education front, the governor acknowledged the academic and social-emotional support students

will need as they rebound from the stresses of the pandemic, and touted that his administration

has “already begun to direct funding to school districts that need the most help in getting students

back on track.” He highlighted NJ’s status as the number one state in the country for public

education, particularly because of its “strong support for attending to the educational, social, and

emotional needs of our entire education community.” He stated that his Administration has

worked with the Legislature to add more than $750 million in direct classroom funding, which

has been protected despite the pandemic's fiscal impacts. He also referred to ongoing efforts to

close the digital divide for NJ’s students, particularly those from disadvantage households.

FY2022 Budget Address

Governor Murphy will deliver his annual budget address on Tuesday, February 23rd.

NJSBA Legislative Committee

The committee held a virtual meeting on Saturday, December 5th. The Committee received a

presentation from Mark Magyar, Associate Executive Director of the Senate Majority Office,

who serves as a policy advisor to Senate President Sweeney. Mr. Magyar discussed various

education-related issues, including school district regionalization, “Chapter 44” (the new school

employee health benefits reform law), school funding and budget matters, and the Legislature’s

response to the COVID19 public health emergency. He also answered several questions from

committee members. Department staff provided updates on recent legislative activity.

The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 6th.

Activities:

Attended the November 13, 2020 virtual Board of Directors meeting.

Participated in various preparation meetings for the November 21, 2020 Delegate Assembly

meeting.

Attended the November 21, 2020 Delegate Assembly.

Chaired the Resolutions portion of the November 21, 2020 Delegate Assembly and successfully

passed one resolution.

Participated in virtual county meetings:

December 2, 2020 Somerset County meeting

January 13, 2021 Union County meeting

January 28, 2021 Mercer County meeting

Chaired the December 5, 2020 Legislative Committee meeting

Attended the January 12, 2021 Executive Committee meeting

Thank you to all the dedicated women and men of the NJSBA staff for your hard work in

planning and assisting in all these events, and for keeping Board members around the state

informed and thereby keeping our students moving forward in these most difficult times.

A special thank you to all involved in helping to make the complex task of virtually approving a

Resolution at the November 21, 2020 Delegate Assembly seem easy.

Respectively submitted,

Karen Cortellino, M.D.