Conversations on New Jersey Education: Recent Episodes
NJSBA
The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) presents a forum to explore education issues and the impact of state-level politics on New Jersey’s public school districts, hosted by Ray Pinney, of NJSBA. The format brings together state and local education leaders for a lively dialogue on the latest developments. Our children’s education is too important not to discuss and debate. To learn more about NJSBA, visit https://www.njsba.org.
If you are a newly elected school board member, you are probably both excited and a little nervous about your new position. The role of a school board member is a little different than other elected or appointed positions. In this podcast, Gwen Thornton and Theresa Lewis, both veteran field service representatives with the New Jersey School Boards Association, chat with Ray Pinney, NJSBA's director of county activities and member engagement, about the basic role of the board member and how to build relationships and leverage resources to be more effective.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District shifted the landscape concerning prayer in our public schools. What does this decision mean for school districts? Will districts have to adjust policies and procedures? In this episode, NJSBA’s Ray Pinney discusses these and other issues surrounding the court’s recent decision with Marc Zitomer, a partner with Schenk, Price, Smith & King LLC.
In recent months, the issue of mandated masks in schools has divided some communities. With Gov. Murphy’s decision to lift the mask mandate, effective March 7, the decision as to whether students and staff should wear masks now falls to the local school district. Whatever decision a board and superintendent make, there may be some community members who disagree. As boards proceed in this decision what process should they follow? What legal issues should they take into consideration? How do they communicate their decision? In this podcast, attorney Adam Weiss of the Busch Law Group discusses these and other pertinent issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
On March 26, the governor signed legislation requiring parents to be notified in writing if their child under the age of 18 is arrested for possessing or using marijuana. How will this latest change affect the legalization of marijuana, which voters overwhelmingly approved in November 2020? When will marijuana be available in New Jersey? What should school districts and boards of education be thinking about as recreational marijuana becomes more readily available in their communities? In this podcast, Seth Tipton,and Caitlin Pletcher, both partners with the law firm of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, Cappelli, Tipton and Taylor LLC, discuss the effect of marijuana use in New Jersey with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
One of the foundations of education law is the protection of students’ privacy. With the almost overnight transition from in-person instruction to remote instruction, how are students’ rights affected? What are the procedures that districts should follow, and what might be some actions to avoid? In this podcast interview, William Donio, a partner with Cooper Levenson law firm, discusses these and other issues concerning student privacy with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
With school districts moving from hybrid to remote learning and then back again during the pandemic, job responsibilities of district staff have been constantly changing. Boards of education have had to navigate through unique personnel issues during the health emergency as they try to provide the best possible education for their students. In this podcastinterview, Derlys Maria Gutierrez, Esq., a founding attorney with the firm of Adams Gutierrez & Lattiboudere, discusses workforce challenges with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Earlier this year, Paterson School District officials worried that a shortage of devices would prevent many students from learning online. In this podcast, the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney interviews Paterson Superintendent Eileen Shafer, and Jerry Scacchitti, regional vice president for Trox who explain how they worked together to help Paterson find the devices students needed.
Special education practices changed overnight with the onset of the pandemic. Many districts are working to provide services virtually and with social distancing protocols while still following IEPs and adhering to other legal requirements. In this podcast, Amy Houck Elco, a partner with the law firm of Cooper Levenson, discusses the issues with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
When COVID-19 first hit New Jersey, school board meetings went from being in person to virtual almost overnight. Even though the number of coronavirus cases has diminished recently, many boards are still meeting virtually. How can board meetings run more smoothly and still comply with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)? Are virtual meetings here to stay? In this podcast, John Geppert, partner, and Carolyn Chaudry, counsel, with the law firm of Scarinci and Hollenbeck, discuss these and other issues regarding board of education meetings with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Since the pandemic began, Executive Orders have governed most of our actions as school districts. What does the most recent—Executive Order 175—mean for school districts and what should they aware of as they move forward? In this interview, Jonathan Busch, of the Busch Law Group, discusses the legal implications of Executive Order 175 with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Despite virtual meetings and the pandemic, negotiations between the board of education and the local bargaining unit still have to take place. Should you hold the sessions remotely or in person? What are the issues that pandemic adds to the mix? How long of a contract should you agree too? In this podcast, Philip Stern, Esq. from the firm of DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer, & Flaum, PC discusses these and other issues with NJSBA’s host Ray Pinney.
The guidelines for the reopening our schools recommend strict social distancing protocols. How does that work with a school district’s requirement for various safety drills such as active shooter drills, fire drills and lockdowns? In this podcast, Kevin Craig, assistant vice president of safety, security, and investigations with Porzio Compliance Services (a subsidiary of the law firm of Porzio, Bromberg, and Newman P.C.), discusses the protocols with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney
Special education students and educators have faced extraordinary difficulties with the school closures – and face even more challenges with the reopening of schools. With a new school year beginning, there is a need to evaluate and assess the status of special education students. Which students need assessments? What are the challenges of performing evaluations in a pandemic? What guidance has been provided by the NJDOE? In this podcast Christine Soto a partner with the law firm of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, Capelli, Tipton and Taylor, LLC will discuss these and other legal issues surrounding the evaluation process with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Colleen Maguire is the new Chief Operating Officer for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). She is the first woman to lead the 102-year old association. In this podcast, Maguire will discuss the importance of athletics for students and how the NJSIAA is moving forward, cautiously, toward the possibility of a fall season of competition for student athletes.
Traumatic events affect the learning process for all children, but children of color face even more obstacles. NJSBA’s Ray Pinney interviews Dr. Melissa Sadin, author of a series of books on coping with trauma, and coauthor, with Nathan Levy, of Teachers’ Guide to Trauma: 20 Things Kids with Trauma Wish Their Teachers Knew. Dr. Sadin will discuss the impact of the pandemic on children of color who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Meeting the educational and social-emotional needs of special education students is perhaps the most daunting challenge our districts have faced in the transition from in-person instruction to remote learning. Dr. Gerard Crisonino, director of special education at the Jersey City School District, and a school board member in the Berkeley Heights School District, discusses the how his district has addressed this issue with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
The Town of Dover in western Morris County is a diverse community that was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. How did the switch to virtual learning affect this district? What were the most difficult challenges in the move and what are the challenges they see as they move forward? In this podcast, Dr. James McLaughlin, superintendent and Christina Dalla Palu, assistant superintendent of the Dover Public School District discuss these and other issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Most New Jerseyans know Wildwood as a resort community with a lovely boardwalk and sprawling beaches but it is also home to a pre-K through 12 school district. This district has a unique school population and the school closures and switch to remote learning created special challenges –particularly for meal distribution and virtual instruction. In this podcast, J. Kenyon Kummings, Wildwood City superintendent, discusses how the district met the challenges with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
North Warren Regional School District is a rural 7-12 regional school district in the hills of Warren County. How did the switch to virtual learning affect this sprawling district? What were the most difficult challenges in that transition and what are the challenges they see as they move forward? In this podcast, Sarah Bilotti, North Warren’s superintendent, discusses these and other issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Teaching physical education virtually is a challenge, but it is a challenge the Middlesex County Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Olawski from New Brunswick, meets everyday. Listen in as NJSBA’s Ray Pinney discusses with Jennifer how and the district use physical activity to reduce stress for students and staff, and how she checks in with students on their social-emotional needs.
One of the biggest challenges many school districts faced when schools closed was that they still had to dispense meals to their students. In this podcast, Mark Gengaro, director of climate and security for the Clifton Public Schools, discusses with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney how that district organized and planned to open three locations for food distribution; then how they made changes to deal with the challenges of social distancing and shifting circumstances.
Even if you are a teacher with superb technological skills, moving from in-classroom to virtual instruction is a challenge. Katherine Poerner, who teaches Pre-AP U.S. History I and AP U.S. History II at Pinelands Regional High School, discusses meeting the challenges of virtual learning with her students with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
What is the role of the building principal when the instruction is not occurring in the building? What are the challenges facing principals in making sure instruction is delivered, and the social-emotional needs of the students are met? In this interview, Dr. Paul Christopher, who has more than 30 years of experience as a principal, and is currently the principal of Class Academy High School, which is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School district, discusses these and other issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
The school district of Westfield is a large K-12 district located in Union County. The district not only made the switch from in-person instruction to virtual learning but also partnered with the municipal government to make the community safer and healthier. In this interview, Dr. Margaret Dolan, Westfield superintendent discusses with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney how her district addressed the crisis.
Long Branch is a diverse waterfront city located in Monmouth County. The Long Branch Public Schools educate some 5,800 students; 83% of whom are classified as economically disadvantaged. When the school closures took effect in the state and districts transitioned to remote learning, how did Long Branch deal with families that had very limited WiFi or limited devices? What about dispersion of the meals? In this interview, the superintendent, Dr. Michael Salvatore, discusses with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney, how his district has worked to meet the needs of all students.
Seemingly overnight, education in New Jersey went from brick and mortar to virtual instruction. Teachers had to adapt quickly. In this interview with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney, Marie Blistan, NJEA president, discusses the impact the change has had on her membership, how the education community came together, and what concerns the NJEA may have as we continue through this outbreak.
Hamilton Township in Mercer County is one of New Jersey’s larger school districts, with more than 11,000 students. The superintendent, Dr. Scott Rocco, has led the district through the transition from classroom learning to remote learning with high marks, and has partnered with the municipal government to inform the community of the ongoing efforts to battle COVID-19. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Rocco.
Unfortunately, the district of Keyport is no stranger to dealing with natural disasters. It was one of the districts hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. However COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges. How did the superintendent prepare the staff, students and community for the challenge? In this podcast, Dr. Lisa Savoia, Keyport superintendent, discusses her district’s preparation for COVID-19 and virtual learning.
COVID-19 has completely reshaped the landscape for education in New Jersey. It is just not that schools have closed and instruction has gone virtual. The state has to deal with the fiscal fallout that will result from the quarantine. In this legislative update we will discuss one proposed bill, A-3902, which would allow municipalities to delay payments to school districts; as well as A-3904, signed by the governor on April 14. That law obligates districts to continue to pay the salaries and benefits of union, non-union and third-party service workers during states of emergency. We will also discuss the state budget timeline. Join NJSBA host Ray Pinney, as he discusses these issues with Christopher Jones, NJSBA legislative advocate, and John Burns, counsel with NJSBA’s Governmental Relations Department.
Kingsway Regional School District in Gloucester County has worked hard to continue providing top-notch instruction to their students during this public health emergency. Kingsway, a sprawling regional district, must communicate with students and parents from four different communities. Dr. James Lavender, the superintendent, discusses with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney how his district has addressed the communication issues, as well as the educational issues, brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
Like many districts, the Pinelands Regional School District has made a great effort to ensure that their delivery of virtual instruction was the best that it could be. They also had to make sure that they could deliver more than 7,000 meals per week as well. In this interview, the Pinelands superintendent Dr. Melissa McCooley, discusses with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney how her district has addressed the crisis and dealt with the needs of their students.
Like many districts, the school district of Ramsey made a great effort to make sure that their delivery of instruction virtually was the best that it could be. The superintendent Dr. Matthew Murphy however gave equal importance to meeting the social emotional needs of the students as well. In this podcast, Dr. Murphy discusses how his district addressed the crisis with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
The City of Clifton is a large, diverse community in Passaic County. Superintendent Dr. Danny Robertozzi was in the district for less than 10 months. How did he rally the staff and students to transition to a new way of delivering education? In this podcast, Superintendent Robertozzi discusses how his district addressed the crisis with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
In these historically unsettled times, COVID-19 has already disrupted the delivery of education to our students. And now, with the recent announcement that the budget year will be extended to Sept. 30, major changes are in store for districts’ finances. Meanwhile, A-3902, if approved by the state Senate, would delay municipal payment of taxes to school districts, and the State Board recently discussed major changes to the delivery of special education services. Please join host Ray Pinney for a Friday 3 p.m. podcast as representatives from the NJSBA’s Governmental Relations Department discuss these rapidly evolving issues .
Transitioning a school district on short notice to go virtual has involved a Herculean effort. In this podcast, Dr. Robert Zywicki of the Mount Olive School District will join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney to describes the efforts they took to overcome the challenges and still provide quality instruction. He will also explain how the school district’s staff is helping the effort to fight COVID-19 by building face shield components that are needed in making personal protective equipment.
Since schools were forced to close their buildings, one of the biggest challenges has been meeting the needs of our special education students. Andrea Romano is the superintendent of the Sussex County Educational Services Commission, which serves the needs of these students. Join Ray Pinney, NJSBA director of member engagement, as he discusses with Andrea the challenges and the steps that Sussex County ESC took to provide students with best virtual education.
While all school districts are engrossed in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and continuing to educate students remotely, they also need to be concerned about what is happening in Trenton. What is the impact on school districts of the legislation passed to address the COVID-19 outbreak? Will the COVID-19 outbreak affect the state budget? What is the likelihood of the proposed health benefit legislation passing? What are its impact on school districts if it passes? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with Michael Vrancik, NJSBA’s director of governmental relations, Jonathan Pushman, NJSBA legislative advocate, and Christopher Jones NJSBA legislative advocate.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the state government to impose curfews, school closures, and other efforts to keep people apart, how does a Board of Education operate? Can board members participate remotely? Can you ban the public? Join NJSBA’s host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues surrounding board meetings during this difficult time with Carl Tanksley, Director of NJSBA’s Legal and Labor Relations Department and John Burns a Counsel with NJSBA.
Social media is more popular than ever, and most people have a social media presence, but it is not without its complications. When school board members and school personnel use social media they sometimes have to strike a balance between competing legal questions, such as freedom of speech vs. the Code of Ethics for School Board Members; and privacy vs. the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act. On this podcast, William Donio, a partner with the law firm of Cooper Levenson, will discuss these and other relevant issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Building community support for your school district is critical to a district’s success. This, however, takes more than putting out a newsletter. It takes a comprehensive communication plan, with strategies, tactics and measurable results that reflect the culture of the district and community it serves. Districts need to address what and how they communicate with parents and the community, including businesses and civic leaders; how they capitalize on, not cower from or become pawns with social media. They also need to be prepared for when there are missteps in one of their schools. Please join us as Dr. Matthew Murphy, Superintendent of the Ramsey School District and Laura Bishop, from Laura Bishop Communications, who consults with the Ramsey School District discuss public relations tips for school districts with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
What is branding? Why should school districts be concerned about branding and marketing? What are the benefits of branding your district? What are the steps districts should take as they move forward in this process? Susan Marinello, the district communications officer for the Montville Township Public Schools, discusses these issues and more with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with John Burns, NJSBA Counsel, Legal Department and Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
What is equity in education? How is it different from equality? What are some inherent biases that could affect students? How do equity issues play out in schools? Please join us as former New Jersey Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington Markus discusses the importance of school districts addressing equity with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
In recent weeks, new concerns about vaping have been in the headlines. What is vaping? Who is vaping and what are the health risks associated it? How is the e-cigarette industry marketing strategy targeting our youth? What are the current regulations, and what should be changed? What should school districts be doing? Please join us for a discussion on the issues surrounding vaping as the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney interviews Cristina Martins Carlo Favretto Jr. from Tobacco Free for a Healthy New Jersey.
Outside of salaries and wages, the biggest cost driver in a district’s budget is the price of health care benefits. In a time of tight budgets, how can districts find substantial savings in this area? On this podcast, Chris Heagele, the business administrator for the North Warren Regional School District, discusses with the NJSBA’s Ray Pinney how his district saved significant dollars by working with teachers and staff.
While there seems to be strong medical and scientific evidence that later start times benefit our students the obstacles to make the change are significant. The Princeton district decided it was worth the endeavor. In this podcast, Steven Cochrane the superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools along with Jessica Baxter the principal at Princeton High School will join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney to discuss obstacles in the transition along with impact the change had in their schools.
Many experts in the medical community are promoting the idea of later start times for our middle and high schools. What is the impact of the lack of sleep on adolescents’ health? Is there evidence that supports delaying school start times? In this podcast, Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and school physician for the Montgomery and Hillsborough school districts, discusses these and related issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
When a district has to accommodate a transgender student, what legal guidelines must they follow? In recent years most districts have had to deal with this issue. What policies should they have in place, and what accommodations are most often needed? In this podcast, NJSBA’s Ray Pinney will discuss these and other issues surrounding transgender students with Cherie Adams, a founding partner of the law firm of Adams Gutierrez & Lattiboudere.
Disciplining public school students involves following a series of procedures and guidelines. If the discipline involves a child who is classified as special needs or entails a short-term or long-term suspension, things can get more complicated. In this podcast, William Morlok, an associate with the Parker McCay law firm will discuss these and other discipline issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
After Ian Hockley’s son young Dylan was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012, Ian started Dylan’s Wings of Change Foundation to empower empathetic children to create strong, inclusive communities. The foundation’s youth led Wingman program is designed to develop social and emotional skills and foster a positive school climate. Ian Hockley joins NJSBA’s Ray Pinney to discuss the program, its inspiration, and ways listeners can be part of the program’s growth in New Jersey by joining their new team of Wingman Trainers.
Large crowds at board meetings often indicate that there is a hot issue with the parents, community, or staff. Handling these situations calmly and correctly is critically important. Things can get out of hand quickly when a citizen challenges the board or a school board member’s actions contribute to conflicts at the meeting. Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he talks with Mark Tabakin, a partner with the Weiner Law Group, about how to manage these meetings, calm the crowd and accomplish the board’s business without stepping on anyone’s rights or angering the community.
Sports are an integral part of our schools – especially in our high schools. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) has been in existence since 1918 and regulates interscholastic competition in New Jersey’s schools. In this podcast, NJSBA host Ray Pinney will discuss the mission of NJSIAA with Larry White, the organization’s executive director and Steven Shohfi, NJSIAA second vice president and at-large representative from NJSBA. Our conversation will cover a far-ranging assortment of issues, including the role of sports in our schools; the training of coaches; student safety concerns including concussions, opioids and steroids; and how NJSIAA is governed.
School board members are often actively involved in a variety of community activities, in addition to their roles as school board members. This podcast will address the potential pitfalls of board member involvement with communications, volunteerism, outside politics, and the occasional role as an adversary to their own school board with Jonathan M. Busch, Esq., of The Busch Law Group LLC.
The board’s reorganization meeting, held in early January, is the first meeting of the new board and it is where decisions are made that will have an impact for the rest of the year. New board members are sworn into office and the board leadership is decided. What actions must the board take at this meeting, and what are the procedures for taking these actions? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with William Donio, a partner in the law firm of Cooper Levenson.
The Pew Research Center defines millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996. While generational markers are never precise, they do offer broad insights into the experiences of different age groups. Several boards of education in New Jersey now include millennials as members, and many of those members are recent graduates of the school system in which they now serve a governance role. What are the unique perspectives, experiences and challenges that these millennial board members face? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with three millennial board members: Rebecca Cruz from the Carlstadt/East Rutherford Regional High School board; Brandon Pugh of the Moorestown board, who also serves as NJSBA’s vice president for legislation/resolutions , and Adam Parkinson from the West New York board.
Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with Carl Tanksley, Director, NJSBA Legal Department and Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
Increased evidence of mold in our schools forced several to close temporarily this year. Most districts are not familiar with the issues surrounding mold. How does it occur? What is the process for removing it, and what is the testing process? Most important, what can we do to prevent it from showing up in our schools? Please join Ray Pinney, host of NJSBA’s Conversations on New Jersey Education, as he discusses these issues with Tom Peter, an HVAC mold and facility hygiene specialist, and vice president/owner of IRS: Insurance Restoration Specialists, Inc.
The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights has been in effect for seven years now. What legal issues have emerged that school districts would be wise to avoid? What are some best practices that districts can follow in preventing harassment, intimidation and bullying? What new revisions to the Administrative Code could affect districts? Please join Ray Pinney, host of NJSBA’s Conversations on New Jersey Education, as he discusses this and other issues with Joseph Roselle, a partner with the law firm of Schenk, Price, Smith & King, LLP.
Recently the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME in a 5-4 decision struck down the use of “agency shop” fees, which was established by statute in 22 states, including New Jersey. What is the impact of this ruling on school districts? Will this have an effect on the “Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act,” a recently enacted state law which broadens the union’s access to prospective and existing members? Please join NJSBA’s host Ray Pinney as he discusses this and other issues surrounding this ruling with John Geppert, a partner with the law firm of Scarinci Hollenbeck.
Recently the Legislature passed, and Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law, P.L. 2018, c5, commonly referred to as the “Pass the Trash” law. This law affects all school districts, charter schools and private schools in regard to the hiring process. What steps should districts take when they are hiring a staff member? What are the obligations of a former employing school district when another school district is requesting employment information? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses this new law with Joseph L. Roselle, a partner with the firm of Schenk, Price, Smith, & King, LLP.
Keeping students and staff members safe in our schools is a district’s top priority. Perhaps the most effective tool for that is a strong working relationship between the school district and the local police department. For several years, the Maple Shade Township school district and police department have fostered a strong partnership which has led to some best practices in school security. This partnership is steered by Maple Shade Superintendent Beth Norcia and Chief of Police Gary Gubbei, who is also the president of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police (NJACOP). Both will join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney for a conversation on school security.
Student discipline issues particularly at the higher grades can sometimes interfere with student learning. Stress whether it is with our high achieving students trying to get into college or at-risk students dealing with other issues, can also get in the way of student learning. One district has found that introducing “mindfulness” into the school day has significantly helped the school culture and learning. Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses mindfulness in our schools with Alisha DeLorenzo, Social Emotional Learning Coordinator in the Asbury Park School District, who integrated a mindfulness program in Asbury Park.
The New Jersey School Boards Association has partnered with the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, founded by Steven Van Zandt, to bring the Sonic Highways Hometown Documentaries project-based learning initiative to New Jersey school districts. Through this exciting new program, students will enter documentaries, exploring the sounds of their hometown, into a film festival for the annual NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Workshop conference. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses ways your schools can get involved in this exciting new project with Christopher Tuffli, the Executive Director of Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, and Dayna Orlak, a social studies teacher and the coordinator of the gifted program at Waldwick High School who has participated in this project.
Over the last year, sexual harassment in high-profile workplaces has garnered headlines. It is, however, an issue in all workplaces, including school districts. As an employer, what should school districts be aware of to make sure that they preventing incidents? What legal issues should they be aware of if a sexual harassment complaint is filed? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues and others with Lester Taylor III, a partner with the law firm of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, & Fader, LLC.
New Jersey is widely recognized as a national leader in arts education. How important are the arts in education? What is the status of arts education in New Jersey as revealed by a statewide survey? What can districts do to make their programs more comprehensive? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues and others with Robert Morrison, director of Arts Ed NJ.
New Jersey’s tenure law, TEACHNJ, was enacted in 2012, intended to provide a dramatic reduction in the time and cost of removing teachers who were repeatedly ineffective in improving student outcomes. Has it done so? What is the process, under TEACHNJ, for bringing tenure charges of inefficiency or unbecoming conduct against poorly-performing teachers, and what successes and surprises have boards of education and administrators seen since the law’s adoption? Please join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney as he discusses legal issues in tenure cases with Brenda Liss, a partner with the law firm of Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti LLP.
There is little debate over the fact that New Jersey must address its public employee pension and health benefit obligations, or otherwise face a financial calamity. What is the impact of funding the current pension system? What role do health benefit obligations play in the situation? What is the cost of inaction? What are possible solutions to avoid a crisis?
Please join us as Tom Byrne, Chair of the State Investment Council and a member of the New Jersey Pension and Health Benefit Study Commission, discusses these issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
As a board, you may be faced with many challenges in providing programs for students of special needs. You may even face legal challenges to special education decisions. Is there a way in which the district and parents can work together in addressing the educational needs of students with special needs? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues and others with - Philip E. Stern, Esq., DiFrancesco Bateman Kunzman Davis Lehrer & Flaum, PC, an attorney who represents school districts and Staci Greenwald, Esq., Sussan, Greenwald and Wesler, an attorney who represents parents and students. As they discuss how districts and parents can work together to provide the most appropriate educational plan for students with special needs.
Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with Carl Tanksley, Director, NJSBA Legal Department and Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
Professional athletes have been making headlines for expressing their First Amendment rights on the NFL sidelines. However, do our students and student-athletes enjoy that same freedom? While our freedom of speech as spelled out in the First Amendment is cherished, it is not absolute. What are the boundaries for our students? Join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses this issue with William Donio, a partner with the law firm Cooper-Levenson.
One of America’s most cherished rights is “Freedom of Speech” as spelled out in the First Amendment. However, when an individual works for a school district, it is often the local board of education that must content with the repercussions when staff members express their opinions. Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses the issues surrounding this topic with Cherie Adams, a partner with the law firm Adams, Gutierrez, & Lattiboudere, LLC.
With the advent of social media, bullying no longer just occurs on school grounds. It can occur off-campus, on weekends and at non-school related events. What are the district’s responsibilities when bullying occurs off-campus and/or outside the confines of the school day, but the conduct impacts its students at school? This session will explore the boundaries of the school-house gate when it involves cyberbullying and how technology and altered this evolving landscape. Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues and other HIB issues with Marc Zitomer, a partner in the law firm Schenck, Price, Smith & King LLP and Chair of its Education Practice Group.
Special education is an area of public education which can often lead to legal entanglements. Federal and state court decisions -reaching as far as the U.S. Supreme Court -can affect what happens in the classroom. One of the cornerstones in special education placements and decisions is FAPE (free and appropriate public education). Join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses what board members and school administrators should know about FAPE, IDEA, and the Supreme Court Case, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District with John B. Comegno II, Esquire, from the Comegno Law Group, P.C.
With any new presidency there are new ideas and new players. How could these new ideas and players impact New Jersey school districts? Join us as Deborah Rigsby, director of federal legislation for the National School Boards Association and NJSBA’s Ray Pinney address issues including school funding, charter schools, school choice, ESSA, school lunch programs, as well as the vision of the new Secretary of Education, Betsy De Vos.
A recent decision by the New Jersey Appellate Division on “Rice Notice” procedures has greatly impacted local boards of education. Even though the court ruling was in regards to a Kean University case, its impact will be felt by boards of education because it is a ruling in regards to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) which applies to all public bodies including school districts. How does this ruling change who receives a “Rice Notice”? What can boards do to comply with the law? What is the impact of the ruling on board minutes if any? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses this ruling with Stephen R. Fogarty a partner with the law firm of Fogarty & Hara, Esqs.
A primary goal of all boards of education and school administrators is to allocate as much of their financial resources as possible for the classroom, rather than for non-instructional uses like legal fees. Are there strategies that boards of education can follow to avoid unnecessary litigation? In this podcast, NJSBA’s Ray Pinney discusses these strategies with Philip E. Stern, Esq. from the firm of DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis Lehrer, & Flaum, PC.
Parents and students today have options besides their local school district. There are charter schools and private schools that are continuously marketing to them about their schools’ benefits. While local public schools do a great job in educating their students and offering a rich curriculum, they sometimes are not as diligent in marketing their schools. What can districts do to tweak their programs to meet the needs of all of their students? How can districts make sure their community is aware of all the positives in their district? What can districts do to make sure that parents and students who are considering out-of-district options are aware of what their home district provides? Please join us as Arthur DiBenedetto, superintendent and Charles McKay, assistant superintendent of the Vernon Township School District, discuss these and other issues with NJSBA’s Ray Pinney.
Boards of education do not come to the decision of proposing a referendum lightly. While boards may feel strongly about a referendum proposal, there are things that boards and individual board members may and may not do in this process. Jonathan Busch of The Busch Law Group will join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney to discuss what school board members need to know when their board has a referendum on the ballot.
All school board members must abide by the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, which guides them in fulfilling their duties. In recent years, the School Ethics Commission has published advisory opinions which are designed to help school board members interpret what actions are appropriate as a school board member. In this podcast, NJSBA’s Ray Pinney is joined by John Geppart, a partner with the law firm of Scarinci and Hollenbeck, to discuss five recent advisory opinions. Discussion will shed light on a board member’s participation level in the areas of: volunteering in a school; the board’s role in interviews; if a board member works in public education, how does it limit their participation on the board; how can a relative’s employment affect their participation; and finally, what is the definition of a relative?
The reorganization meeting is the first meeting of the new board, and important business is conducted. New board members are sworn in, and typically the board leadership is decided. What actions does a board need to make at this meeting? What occurs if the board cannot come to a decision on items such as who should be board president? What happens if someone cannot attend this meeting Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Theresa Lewis, an NJSBA Field Service Representative and Michael Kaelber, Director of NJSBA’s Legal and Policy Department.
In September, Kimberley Harrington was appointed acting commissioner of education for the N.J. Department of Education. There are a myriad of education issues she will be dealing with, such as standardized testing, state standards, teacher evaluations, school choice, charter schools, as well as the accountability regulations. What are her thoughts on these issues, and what does she see as her focus going forward? Acting Commissioner Harrington will join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney as they discuss education in New Jersey.
Many school board members are unaware that the NJDOE is implementing major changes in the student teaching process in New Jersey. This will hopefully lead to better prepared first year teachers in New Jersey. In the meant time school districts that host student teachers which is many will have to prepare for these changes. Joining NJSBA host Ray Pinney will be Kristen Brown the Chief Talent Officer for the NJDOE and Dr. Bernard Bragen Jr. of the Hazlet Township School District a superintendent of a school district piloting the program,.
In New Jersey, changes in educational law or regulation go through an approval process that often includes the very public entities of the Legislature, governor and the state Department of Education. But many people don’t realize that regulatory changes, which can include regulations on state standardized testing, graduation requirements, teacher evaluations, state standards, and other policy matters, involve the State Board of Education, which must approve changes in the code. Join “Conversations on New Jersey Education” when Mark Biedron, the president of the State Board of Education joins host Ray to discuss timely educational issues, as well as the process the State Board follows when making decisions.
No matter the size of your district, special education is a key component in your curriculum and budget. There are numerous legal restrictions, as well as procedures that districts must follow. Dr. Gerry Crisonino, who is both the director of special education for the School District of Jersey City, and a school board member in Union County; along with school board attorney Nathanya Simon, senior partner with the firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, and Celso; will join NJSBA host Ray Pinney for this important discussion. Prepare to learn about the morass of acronyms, legal procedures, federal and state guidelines surrounding special education which school districts must follow in New Jersey.
What would be the impact if you brought together a group of more than 200 students and teachers, representing every high school in Mercer County, to discuss the delicate issues of race, class and gender? Well, it happened just this year when 10 students and five teachers from every Mercer County high school came together for the first annual Day of Dialogue-A Journey into Race, Class, and Gender in Our Schools. Dr. Thomas Smith, superintendent, Hopewell Valley Regional School District; Crystal Edwards, superintendent, Lawrence Township School District; and Jessica Cincotta, assistant principal, Lawrence Township High School, all join NJSBA host Ray Pinney to discuss the event, the discussions and what students and staff learned.
A community’s board of education and its municipal government are the foundation of local government. While these two entities represent the same community, often they don’t coordinate efforts, and sometimes they even work at cross-purposes. But that’s not the case in Fair Lawn, where the municipal governing body and the school board have worked together for many years to put their community first. Join us as school board members Eugene Banta and Michael Rosenberg, along with councilman Kurt Peluso, join NJSBA’s Ray Pinney, to discuss how the partnership was formed and how it has prospered.
What happens in New Jersey’s classrooms is directly impacted by what happens in the halls of Trenton. What happens in the halls of Trenton is not always predictable. One of the most experienced and knowledgeable observers of education politics in the Garden State is John Mooney, chief executive officer and founding editor of NJ Spotlight. He has reported on education policy in New Jersey for over twenty years. NJ Spotlight is recognized as one of the best resources for education news in New Jersey. Join Conversations on New Jersey Education host Ray Pinney as he talks with John Mooney about issues such as school funding, standards, pensions, superintendent salary caps, and the political landscape of New Jersey.
The headlines and news stories most times seem to highlight the negative issues associated with social media in education. However, social media is here to stay – and some school districts are finding that social media is a valuable tool in communicating with parents and the community. What can school districts dowith social media that will enhance their district's image? What forms of social media are effective? ?What are some pitfalls you may want to avoid? Please join NJSBA host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with Dr. Timothy Purnell, Superintendent in Somerville; Dr. James McLaughlin, superintendent in North Plainfield; and Michelle Vella, Assistant Superintendent for North Plainfield.
Every year in New Jersey an estimated five hundred new school board members begin their service on their local boards of education. They want to be effective, but there is so much to learn, and there are many relationships to build in a very short time. What can these new board members learn from others who have experienced that same situation recently? What lessons did board members who have just finished their first term learn, that might help our new board members in 2016? What can veteran school board members do to make the transition the best for all? Please join NJSBA’s host Ray Pinney as he discusses these lessons with school board members Kathy Helewa of Warren Township, Tom Maier of Pemberton and Jeffrey Klein of Fair Lawn.
When New Jersey students graduate from high school, they need certain career-readiness skills—even if they are going on to higher education before entering the workforce. What are the skills that business looks for in its young employees? What knowledge is important for our students to have as they prepare for a career? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues and others with Donna Custard, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Tyler Seville, associate director, government affairs, for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
There are few traditions more firmly rooted in our educational system than homework. But while homework is widely used in schools, is it really a great learning tool? How does homework fit into the grading system? Should school districts have a homework policy? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses one district’s journey in remaking its homework policies with Dr. Ross Kasun, superintendent for the Freehold Township School District.
The New Jersey Department of Education has been directed to review the Common Core State Standards by Governor Chris Christie. What will that process look like? Who will be involved in the review? Will it dramatically change the direction of New Jersey’s curriculum and testing? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with the NJDOE coordinator of this review Kimberley Harrington, Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Commissioner Division of Teaching and Learning.
Transgender issues have been grabbing the headlines lately, and this subject is one that school districts must deal with in a very practical way. Districts must follow legal guidelines and policy when dealing with this topic to preserve student and staff rights and safety within an inclusive learning environment. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses transgender issues in public schools with three attorneys who have dealt with these questions from different angles: Robyn Gigl from Stein, McGuire, Pantages & Gigl; Luanne Peterpaul, who is with Gluck Walrath; and Teresa Moore, with Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti, LLP.
Recently the School Ethics Commission released several advisory opinions which impact the designation of which board members can participate in labor negotiations, as well as in personnel matters. In addition, are there volunteer activities board members may need to shy away from? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other important issues with Joanne Restivo, acting executive director of the School Ethics Commission, and Robert Bender and Mark Finkelstein, commission members.
It has been more than two years since the tragic school shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This tragedy caused New Jersey school districts to analyze their own school security policies and procedures. NJSBA formed a School Security Task Force, which studied the issue intensely. While there are no one-size-fits-all answers to school security, there are important findings and recommendations that all school districts can use. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the task force’s findings with its two co-chairs, Donald Webster Jr. and Raymond Wiss, along with task force member Brandon Pugh.
One of the key responsibilities of a school board member is negotiating the contract for teachers and staff. It is, by far, the place where most of the district’s financial resources are allocated; as well it establishes other protocols which affect student achievement. Each year brings new challenges. In 2015, what are those challenges? How should boards approach the Chapter 78 health benefit reform legislation? What is the importance of average settlement rates? How long can a district expect negotiations to take? What are some common misperceptions the public has about negotiations? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Patrick Duncan, Manager of NJSBA Labor Relations Department.
Next month school districts across New Jersey will begin administering the PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests. What are these tests and how are they different from previous state assessments? How have school districts prepared for these tests? Please join host Ray Pinney, NJSBA director of county activities and member engagement, as he discusses these and other questions about PARCC with Dr. Robert Price, director of curriculum and instruction for the Northern Valley Schools Consortium, and Debra Johnson Dahrouge, an English teacher from Neptune High School.
The School Ethics Commission has recently released 36 new advisory opinions that give school board members new guidance in numerous areas when they carry out their duties. Whether it involves superintendent search, involvement in negotiations, participation in employment decisions, board member speech or other items these advisory opinions are important for all board members to be aware of. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these recent rulings with Michael Kaelber, Director of NJSBA’s Legal, Policy and Labor Relations Department along with John Burns, NJSBA Counsel.
Governor Christie has given his State of the State speech and the political and legislative wheels in New Jersey are now in motion. How will the political landscape affect school districts in New Jersey? What educational issues may see movement in the legislature? What is the forecast if there is one for the state budget? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues NJSBA Director of Governmental Relations , Michael Vrancik.
The reorganization meeting is the first meeting of the new board, and important business is conducted. New board members are sworn in, and typically the board leadership is decided. What actions does a board need to make at this meeting? What occurs if the board cannot come to a decision on items such as who should be board president? How is a board reorganization in January different than one in April? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Theresa Lewis, an NJSBA Field Service Representative and Michael Kaelber, Director of NJSBA’s Legal and Policy Department.
Most people view sustainability as just another environmental project. Yet the new Sustainable Jersey for Schools is much more than a “green” program. Being “green” is just one of several aspects of the Sustainable Jersey programs. The other benefits look at saving dollars and improving educational outcomes, as well as improving the health of both our students and our staff. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discuss the benefits and practicalities of this program with Scott McCartney, Superintendent of the Egg Harbor Township School District; Donna Drewes, Co-Director of Sustainable Jersey; and Heather McCall, Sustainable Jersey for Schools Program Director.
Election Day is almost here and soon many people will go from being a school board candidate to a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with Michael Kaleber, NJSBA Legal Department and Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
Acting Commissioner of Education David Hespe has been in the position less than a year, but he has already taken an aggressive stance to inform the public about the Common Core State Standards in New Jersey. Acting Commissioner Hespe brings a wealth of experience to his post, having served as a district superintendent, college president, and as commissioner of education previously. These experiences have made him a strong advocate for academic standards. Please join host Ray Pinney as he and Acting Commissioner Hespe discuss the department’s implementation of the academic standards and the response to some of the myths and misunderstandings about the Common Core.
State standards and standardized tests are not new concepts and have been part of New Jersey’s education landscape for some time. However there have been recent concerns raised by some community members and educators about Common Core State Standards and PARCC. Why do we need standards and assessment? If we do need them, are the Common Core and PARCC the appropriate standards and assessment? What should districts do to help prepare their students to succeed? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these questions and others with Dr. Tracey Severns, the director of student performance at the Mount Olive School District and former chief academic officer for the New Jersey Department of Education.
As public officials, school board members are indemnified for many actions they take as school board members. Why are school board members indemnified? Are there times when they are not protected or indemnified? Can boards of education censure their own members? What occurs if a board member violates the Code of Ethics for School Board Members? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Joseph Roselle, an attorney who specializes in school law with Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP.
Special Education has consistently been a difficult challenge for school districts, both programmatically and financially. In times when financial resources are limited yet academic expectations high, it can sometimes split a community.
To identify ways to control cost, while preserving the quality of special education, NJSBA created the Special Education Task Force in January 2013. The task force spent over a year, consulting with more than 25 experts in special education and reviewing the literature on the delivery and financing of special education services, with a special focus on academic achievement.
The resulting report of the Special Education Task Force, “Special Education: A Service, Not a Place,” includes recommendations for strategies to improve delivery of services and control costs. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the report’s findings with the task force chair Dr. Gerald Vernotica, along with task force members Michael Lee and Irene LeFebvre.
Since the 1920’s teacher tenure has been part of New Jersey’s education system and changed only slight until August of 2012 when TEACH-NJ was signed into law. This law dramatically changed the process for acquiring tenure as well as how tenure charges are filed. While most school administrators and school board members support the reform they need to be aware of the provisions of the law and its impact on their personnel decisions. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses legal issues in teacher tenure with school board attorney John Geppert, Jr. of the law firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein and Celso.
This year for the second time in New Jersey history we will be electing candidates to the local Boards of education in a November election. Yet it does not matter much when the election is held because there is always a difference between being a school board candidate and a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with Donna Kaye NJSBA Legal Department, Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative, and Marcia Lavigne NJSBA County Activities Coordinator. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
While the internet is a place where learning thrives and our students need to develop technology skills in order to be competitive in the workplace, it is not without its perils especially for our students. Cyber security is a skill that students should be aware of. What can parents, teachers, and school districts do to protect their students? Please join host Ray Pinney as he talks cyber security with representatives from the (ISC)2 Foundation. They will discuss the perils that our students face and a The Safe and Secure Online program that will help our kids be safe. If you want more information on cyber safety please email ISC2 sso@isc2chapternj.org
Is education policy in New Jersey on the right path? Even if the state is heading in the right direction, are we moving too quickly? Assemblywoman Mila Jasey from the 27 Legislative District, vice-chair of the Assembly Education Committee, will provide her insights as she discusses education issues that school board members and administrators need to be aware of. Her comments are particularly relevant, because virtually all education legislation must first be approved by her committee. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these topics and others with the assemblywoman.
Without question, the focus in public education is on getting all students to achieve – even in the most disadvantaged communities. In his book “Improbable Scholars,” author David Kirp argues that the New Jersey school district of Union City has hit upon a successful formula. It’s a strategy that isn’t flashy or even quick, but it may be sustainable. Mr. Kirp not only looked at test scores, but for a year observed teachers in administrators in their work. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses Mr. Kirp’s findings and what it might mean for everyone involved in public education.
It would seem like a clearly defined issue, but often the Code of Ethics for School Board Members needs to be interpreted to decide whether a board member should vote on an issue, or even participate in discussion. In addition, board members need to be wary of how they conduct themselves as individuals when they are not sitting at the board table. Does the Code of Ethics for School Board Members restrict their free speech? How does a board member communicate with staff if the board member is also a parent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the ins and outs of the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, as well as conflict-of-interest issues, with school board attorney Isabel Machado of the Machado Law Group.
New Jersey’s historic Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act has brought profound changes to schools throughout the state. One part of the act established a task force to examine how the law is being implemented – and recommending changes that can impact every school. Now that the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Task Force has issued its preliminary report, school officials can get a sense of changes that may be on the horizon. Please join host Ray Pinney 12 as he interviews two members of the task force: Patricia Wright, Ed. M., who chaired the task force and is also executive director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, and Dr. Joseph Ricca, superintendent of the East Hanover Township School District.
In these days of heightened school safety, local school officials know they must communicate with local law enforcement. But are school officials asking the right questions and working as effectively as they can with local authorities? And how effective are emergency communications with the community? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Raymond Hayducka, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and South Brunswick Police Chief, and Dr. Gary McCartney, superintendent of the South Brunswick Police Department. In addition, Ray’s guest will include Mark B. Miller, vice president of educational technology for Nixle Corp., which specializes in emergency and other communication services for school districts and municipalities.
Since the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., school officials across the nation have taken another look at ways to improve the school security in their school buildings. What steps should school districts take to improve the safety and security? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses this issue with Dr. Michael Wanko, Piscataway High School principal and author of Safe Schools: Crisis Prevention and Response, and Mary Jane Canose, school business administrator for the Chester Township Board of Education and coordinator of her district’s security audit.
I All board of education members and charter school trustees must adhere to the School Ethics Act – the statute designed to ensure citizens can maintain confidence in the conduct of their local school officials. The body responsible for enforcing the act is School Ethics Commission. In addition to ruling on disputes involving conflicts of interest and other matters of ethics, the commission enforces the mandatory training requirements for school board members. The commission’s rulings and advisory opinions help guide the actions of board members when questions of ethics arise. Please join host Ray Pinney as discusses how the commission views the role of the school board member in governing the district operations, conflicts of interest, as well as the makeup and operation of the School Ethics Commission with two members of the commission, Robert Bender (Chair), Mark Finkelstein, and the Commission’s Executive Director Joanne Restivo.
The landscape for negotiations between school boards and staff unions has changed over the last few years. Whether your teacher’s contract is up this June or your district is involved in protracted negotiations, your board should be prepared for the New Year. Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Patrick Duncan, NJSBA’s manager of labor relations, as they discuss how recent changes in law may affect collective negotiations this year. They will also address some of the specific measures that districts should take to prepare to sit at the bargaining table.
Whether a school board reorganization occurs in January or April most issues are the same. What actions does a board need to make at this meeting? What occurs if the board cannot come to decision on items such as to who should be board president? What are the differences between a board reorganization in January as opposed to April? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Theresa Lewis a NJSBA Field Service Representative and Michael Kaelber, Director of NJSBA’s Legal and Policy Department.
Social media and technology present special legal issues for school board members. Does technology use conflict with a board member’s responsibilities under the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act ? Can board members discuss board business via texting or email? What are the implications of a Facebook or Twitter posting by a board member or other school official? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with three attorneys, Kim Belin, Esq. of Cooper Levenson; Marc Zitomer from Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP; and John Burns, NJSBA staff attorney.
NJSBA has new leadership with the appointment of Dr. Larry Feinsod as the Association’s executive director. What is his vision on how to improve NJSBA – and improve services to school boards? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Dr. Feinsod on those topics, as well as issues that will most affect school districts in the future. Dr. Feinsod is a veteran educator with approximately 40 years of experience, including the superintendencies of the Cranford, Madison and Mount Arlington school districts. He served as the New Jersey Department of Education’s executive county superintendent for Essex County since 2008. In addition, he served for approximately 20 years as a member of the Board of Education of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission, including a term as the board’s president.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is much more than just science or math classes. STEM is a curriculum philosophy that motivates students and generates greater student achievement. Is your district infusing STEM methodologies in your schools? Is district building private partnerships to obtain more resources? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews John Henry, a STEM Consultant, and other STEM experts on what school board members and school administrators should know about STEM.
On Aug. 6, Gov. Christie signed into law the TEACH NJ Act, the groundbreaking tenure-reform legislation that dramatically changes the way teacher tenure is acquired and kept in New Jersey schools. The cornerstone of the law will be the statewide implementation of a new system of evaluating educators, which is now being piloted in two dozen school districts. Join program host Ray Pinney as he discusses teacher tenure and evaluations with Dr. Michael Kuchar, superintendent of the Bergenfield School District, which is one of the pilot school districts implementing new teacher evaluations, and attorney Steven Fogarty of the firm of Fogarty and Hara, which represents numerous school districts in northern New Jersey.
This year for the first in New Jersey history we will be electing candidates to the local Boards of education in a November election. Yet it does not matter much when the election is held because there is always a difference between being a school board candidate and a school board member. Once elected what should the new board member be prepared for? What is your legal responsibility? How do you get information to make informed decisions? What is the relationship between the board and the superintendent? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues about being a newly elected board member with Donna Kaye NJSBA Legal Department, Terri Lewis, NJSBA Field Service Representative, and Marcia Lavigne NJSBA County Activities Coordinator. If you are a school board candidate this program will help you be prepared for your first meeting.
The last two years have seen dramatic changes in public education in New Jersey. Commissioner Christopher Cerf has made Education Reform a top priority. Commissioner Cerf has made closing the Achievement Gap a priority for the department. Please join host Ray Pinney as we discuss, teacher evaluations, tenure reform, school funding, the Regional Achievement Centers, as well as other education issues as well as his vision for public education.
Special education in public schools has always been a delicate balancing act between meeting the needs of the students while keeping costs within the district’s budget. Litigation for school boards can be very costly, even if the district prevails. What steps can districts take to prevent litigation? What should they be concerned with when student placements are questioned? And how have new laws such as the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act affected special education students? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and other issues with Nathanya Simon, a school board attorney with the firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein & Celso. An experienced school board attorney with expertise in special education law, she is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences.
There have been important education reform measures passed with bipartisan support in 2012 with more measures proposed for the fall legislative session. Join Conversations on New Jersey Education host, Ray Pinney, and his guest, Assembly Minority Leader, Jon Bramnick, for a discussion on the newly enacted education reform legislation, the future of education reform and where Assembly republicans stand on education issue.
Whether the issue is meeting notices, minutes, committees or public comment periods, local boards of education and charter schools are governed by two laws: the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act. These laws allow the public to better observe their government in action. Two current bills – S-1451 and S-1452 – would alter the operation of school boards in various areas. For instance, the measures would require board committees to adhere to provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, require meetings to be recorded, and ban board members from texting during a meeting. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the implications of the proposed legislation with a Vito Gagliardi Jr., a school board attorney and Edward Barocas the Legal Director with the New Jersey American Civil Liberties Union.
The way we evaluate teachers in New Jersey is going to change, and it started this year with 11 school districts piloting a new teacher-evaluation process. What were the lessons learned in these districts? What were the positive experiences, and what were the challenges? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews two superintendents from these pilot districts, Dr. Mathew Jennings from the Alexandria Township School District in Hunterdon County and Dr. Michael Kuchar from the Bergenfield Borough School District. Their insights can help local school officials be better prepared when the teacher-evaluation process goes statewide.
Is it tough when it seems the whole world is looking to reform your profession? What does the average teacher think when they hear the public discourse on tenure reform and teacher evaluations? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Joseph Cheff, a Paterson teacher and president of the Passaic County Education Association, on what his members’ views are on teacher evaluations, tenure reform and testing. The views of school boards do not always align with the perspectives of teachers, so the input from the callers and our guest should provide a frank dialogue on the issues.
Few New Jersey politicians can claim to have the experience of Sen. Richard Codey. He served in the General Assembly from 1974-1981, and the State Senate since 1982. He spent several years in the position of Senate President, and, of course, as governor. Please join host Ray Pinney as he and Sen. Codey discuss current education issues such as tenure reform, school funding and charter schools. Dick Codey is not one to mince words; he is direct and forthright in his beliefs, so please tune in for this entertaining interview. In addition after Senator Codey is done NJSBA newly elected President John Bulina will join the program to discuss education issues.
How much should school districts spend on technology, and how can they be more efficient? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses ways that districts can save money through “virtualization” and other means with technology experts from Promedia, NJEdge, as well as a representative from the Millville School District. This discussion will look at how districts can lower their maintenance budget, energy costs and other expenses through a more efficient use of their servers and technology. Anyone interested in being more efficient with their technology funds should tune in. Best of all: You don’t have to be a tech geek to listen!
Most school districts received an increase in state aid this year. However, New Jersey’s school-funding formulas – both the current one and previous versions – have been erratic, at best. New Jersey contains diverse school districts that face unique issues, and each district is impacted differently by the state’s funding formula. Please join host Ray Pinney as he invites officials from four different school districts from Essex, Union, Sussex and Gloucester Counties to discuss the effect the state’s school-funding formula has had on their districts. Listeners are encouraged to participate in the program by calling in with their thoughts on school funding.
Many believe that the education agenda of Gov. Christie and the Senate Democrats is not that far apart, but it is in the Assembly where much of the legislation – such as tenure reform and charter school legislation – will find the most resistance. Patrick Diegnan, the Chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, will join host Ray Pinney for a discussion on the education reform movement, as well as other education issues that will come before the Assembly Education Committee.
Under Governor Christie’s proposed budget, over 80 percent of school districts would receive a state aid increase in 2012-13. But some will lose funding. The NJ Department of Education’s Education Funding Report is both the source of next year’s proposed aid changes and the administration’s blueprint for future school funding. Join host Ray Pinney as he interviews David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center, about the administration’s school funding policies. The ELC has been the force behind the Abbott school funding rulings.
In New Jersey, proposals to reform teacher tenure and change the way we evaluate teachers are being advanced like never before. Initiatives being discussed in Trenton would alter how teachers attain and retain tenure, while teacher-evaluations models are being developed that would tie part of an educator’s performance to student achievement. However, these changes are not without debate. Please join Ray Pinney, host of Conversations on New Jersey Education, as he interviews twopeople with different perspectives on education reform. One guest will be Joseph Cheff, a longtime public school teacher from the Paterson School District, and president of the Passaic County Education Association. The other guest is Laura Waters, a school board member who writes an education blog, “NJ Left Behind,” and a contributing columnist for several other news sites. This program is designed to provide insights into the various concerns and hopes of education reform.
New Jersey ranks near the bottom nationwide in the number of eligible students in participating in the School Breakfast Program. Schools that participate in the program report both better health and academic improvement in the students. What are the obstacles to districts participating and what can they do to overcome these obstacles? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher and Division of Food and Nutrition Director Rose Tricario about the School Breakfast Program.
Governor Christie will be making his state budget address on February 21st and in addition his education reform agenda is being discussed in the statehouse. What is the impact of the state budget on New Jersey’s school districts? Will tenure reform move in this legislative session? What school choice issues will move if any this session? What are the thoughts of two of the leading education groups in New Jersey one representing the school boards and the other the teachers. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues NJSBA Director of Governmental Relations Michael Vrancik and NJEA Director of Government Relations Ginger Gold Schnitzer.
The education reform proposals in New Jersey have focused primarily in two areas: school choice issues, such as vouchers and charter schools, and changing employment practices by reforming teacher evaluations and tenure. Some proponents believe that school governance is also part of the problem, and they suggest states should look at the ways school districts are governed – including school boards. Can we change the role of the school board member and the superintendent? Should we change it? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these issues with Chester E. Finn Jr., President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. An influential Washington think tank on education policy, the Fordham Institute has been a national force in promoting and studying the education reform movement nationwide.
When the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights was enacted last year, it was hailed as landmark legislation that would change the culture and environment in our schools – at no cost to school districts. But one small district, Allamuchy Township in Warren County, thought otherwise. While they supported the intent of the law, they believed there were additional costs the state should pay for. So they appealed to the Council on Local Mandates that the law was a violation of the “State Mandate, State Pay” clause in the constitution – and won. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the case with the two principal individuals who argued the case before the Council on Local Mandates: Board President Francis Gavin and Superintendent Timothy Frederiks. In addition, a member of NJSBA’s legal staff will join the conversation and discuss the role of the Council on Local Mandates.
For years the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has been among the most influential organizations in shaping state education policy. Over the past two years the NJEA has had significant public policy differences with Governor Christie. Many of the governor’s initiatives have been strongly opposed by the state’s largest teacher union, and the discussion may heat up again as the governor continues to push for changes to teacher tenure and other issues affecting school employees. Please join host Ray Pinney, host of the online radio program Conversations on New Jersey Education, as he discusses education issues with Vincent Giordano, Executive Director of NJEA.
What is the fallout from the lame duck session? What is the composition of the education committees in both the assembly and the senate of the NJ legislature? What are the issues that educators should most be aware of in the current legislative session? Is it charter school reform? Is it tenure reform? Please join host Ray Pinney and NJSBA’s Governmental Relations Department staff as they update NJSBA Legislative Committee members on these and other issues. Due to inclement weather NJSBA’s Legislative Committee was cancelled but we can still hear an abbreviated update by tuning in.
Education reform has become a priority among New Jersey’s state legislators. In the fall, Governor Christie spoke about his education initiatives on NJSBA’s online radio program, Conversations on New Jersey Education. That was followed by a broadcast featuring Sen. Stephen Sweeney, who gave the Democrats’ perspective. On this show Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. will discuss education reform from the perspective of Senate Republicans. Please join host Ray Pinney as he talks with Sen. Kean about tenure reform, school funding, teacher evaluations, sick days and other issues.
Is Moving the School Election to November Right For Your District? Recently both houses of the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill that would give individual school boards the option of moving board member elections to November while at the same time eliminating the need for public approval of the school budget if it is at or below cap. (Please note that Governor Christie has not signed the bill into law yet.) If the bill is signed into law, school boards that would like to change the election date will have to consider several factors. When do they need to act? Who do they need to notify of the decision? Can they change their minds? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses these and many other questions with NJSBA Attorney John Burns.
The Sunshine Law – also known as the Open Public Meetings Act – is landmark legislation that guides school boards in how they communicate and operate, not only with the public but with district administrators and themselves. When the law was enacted over 30 years ago, emails, teleconferencing, and other technological advances were not envisioned. In addition, boards face new issues dealing with personal emails and the Open Public Records Act.
Join host Ray Pinney as he and school board attorney Marc Zitomer, a partner with the law firm of Schenck, Price, Smith & King, discuss technology’s impact on public meetings and public records.
NJSBA’s Urban Boards Committee is hosting a discussion on the education reform movement in New Jersey and what it means for school districts – especially those in urban settings. Please join host Ray Pinney as he talks with Stan Karp from the Education Law Center, Shavar Jefferies of the Newark Advisory Board, and NJSBA Urban Boards Committee chairwoman Deborah Bridges, as they discuss issues such as tenure reform, vouchers, teacher evaluations and charter schools. Listeners are encouraged to call in with their own questions and comments.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney has been instrumental in negotiating with Governor Christie on moving education legislation. “In spite of deep-seated differences of opinion, Sweeney has been able to work with the governor to build compromises and guide proposals such as pension and health benefit reform through the Legislature.”What can New Jersey residents expect from the senate in regard to school funding, tenure reform, teacher evaluations, and charter schools in the lame duck session as well as the next legislative session? Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses education legislation with Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
The institution of boards of education has always been criticized but in recent years the attacks have seemed to push legislation that undermines the authority of school boards. What are the benefits of school boards and where are they less successful? Gene Maeroff who is not only a senior fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University and a former national education correspondent for the New York Times but he is also a president on the Edison Township BOE has authored a book on the subject. The book School Boards in America – A Flawed Exercise in Democracy explores the good, the bad and the ugly of local school governance. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the role of the board member with Mr. Maeroff.
Whether the issue is charter schools, vouchers, teacher evaluations or superintendent caps, the Christie Administration has changed the debate on public education in New Jersey. While the administration wants to head in one direction, Gordon MacInnes, a former assistant commissioner of education and state senator and assemblyman, believes many of the reform movement’s concepts will not bring about the desired changes – and he believes some may actually be detrimental to public education. Please join host Ray Pinney as he gets Mr. MacInnes views on public education in New Jersey.
One of the challenges to the education reform movement is creating a more effective way to evaluate teachers. Ten school districts in New Jersey have been selected to be pilot districts to implement new ways to evaluate their teaching staff. Please join Ray Pinney, host of the Conversations on New Jersey Education online radio program, as he speaks with Dr. Michael Kuchar, superintendent of the Bergenfield School District, about why his district chose to participate – and their experiences so far. His district’s experience, along with the other pilot districts, will have a profound impact on how the state proceeds with teacher evaluations in the future.
The Open Public Meetings Act (also called the Sunshine Law) is the landmark legislationthat, for more than 30 years,has been the guiding law on open and transparent government in New Jersey. All school boards must abide by it. It dictates when school boards can go into executive session, how they must advertise their meetings, and how they handle public comment. However, a recent appeals court ruling, McGovern v. Rutgers, may alter the way boards of education deal with closed session under the Open Public Meetings Act. Please join host Ray Pinney, host of the Conversations on New Jersey Education online radio program, as he talks with school board attorney Nicholas Dotoli, of the law firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein & Celso, about the Sunshine Law, as well as the recent court ruling’s impact on how school boards handle closed session.
Governor Christie has made school choice, charter schools, tenure reform, teacher evaluations, and school funding all issues that he plans to address this year. Change in education seems almost certain. What change will boards of education and school districts embrace? What change will boards of education and school districts oppose? NJSBA President Ray Wiss will join host Ray Pinney as they discuss the issues being debated at the state level. Feel free to join in on the conversation too by calling in with your questions.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made education reform a top priority of his administration. Whether the topic is teacher tenure, a new evaluation system, or charter schools and choice, Governor Christie wants to move from the status quo. In addition to education reform initiatives, host Ray Pinney will discuss issues, such as school funding, and will ask the governor which specific education policy changes he hopes to achieve in the next 12 month.
In this era of tight budgets,school districts must find creative ways to save costs. The Jackson Township School District employed energy audits to pinpoint possible cost reduction areas and to create a plan that would save the school district money. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the use of energy audits with Michelle Richardson, Jackson Township district business administratorand, Tom Gialanella, superintendent, as well as Joe Sullivan, Concord Engineering’s vice presidentof Energy Policy & Development. Any district board member or administrator interested in looking at ways to reduceenergy costs should tune in.
Sometimes when the state passes laws like the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights we tend to focus on the issue from a statewide perspective. Bullying in school however is a very personal matter. Ashley Craig was a student who experienced bullying firsthand but took that experience and used it to find a way to fight bullying where ever she can. Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Ashley about her experience and the group she founded S.A.B.B. (Students Against being Bullied)along with High Point Regional HS principal and how the school incorporated many of Ashley’s idea into their anti-bullying program. Listening to this 16 year old student and principal will be very inspiring.
Since 1990, school funding in New Jersey has been guided by the state Supreme Court’s decisions in Abbott v. Burke. The rulings—and resulting school funding formulas—have not settled the issue of how to fund our schools fairly and adequately. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses school funding with two guests who bring contrasting viewpoints to the issue: Senator Michael Doherty, author of the “Fair School Funding Plan,” and Geraldine Carroll, superintendent of schools in Lindenwold and chair of the Urban Superintendents Association.
An effective superintendent and administrative team are crucial to the success of a school district. But in Trenton, legislators are proposing even more dramatic changes to drastically shake-up the school administration structure. Where does the NJ Association of School Administrators stand on these proposals, and the changes that have already been implemented? Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews Dr. Richard Bozza, NJASA’s executive director. Dr. Bozza will discuss his association’s views on these important issues – and how they impact school districts.
The summer break of the state legislative session is fast approaching. Before the legislature breaks, however, there are several pieces of important education legislation that NJSBA members should know about. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses issues such as the school funding formula, the state budget, pension and health benefits reform and teacher tenure with NJSBA Director of Governmental Relations, Michael Vrancik as well as members of NJSBA’s Legislative and Urban Boards Committees. This 90 minute show is very timely as education issues are at the forefront.
One of the cornerstone efforts of the education reform movement is increasing the number of charter schools in New Jersey. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses this concept, as well as a number of other charter school issues such as monitoring and charter school performance. His guest is Carlos Perez, CEO of the NJ Charter School Association.
Much of the education reform movement is centered around improving academic achievement in urban education. Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, has been the focus of many of these reform efforts. Whatever the issue may be – charter schools, mayoral control, teacher evaluations, the role of foundations, or the donation from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – you can be sure that Newark is discussing it. But the impact of these discussions goes well beyond the city borders, and can affect education throughout in New Jersey. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the education reform movement in Newark with Shavar Jeffries from the Newark Advisory Board.
There has been much public debate on the role that charter schools should play in public education. In this episode, host Ray Pinney discusses charter schools with Julia Sass Rubin from Save Our Schools - New Jersey, a grassroots parent group that advocates on education issues and is calling for changes to existing charter-school laws in New Jersey.
School funding in New Jersey is based upon the over 25 years of NJ Supreme Court rulings called the Abbott Decisions. Decisions that have framed how education is funded in New Jersey and decisions that have both their detractors and their supporters. On this show host Ray Pinney interviews David Sciarra the Executive Director for the Education Law Center and the one who represents them at the Supreme Court hearings.
Over a generation of court decisions in the Abbott v. Burke ligation have shaped school funding in New Jersey. The state Supreme Court’s rulings and their impact on education and taxes stir the passions of both supporters and opponents. On this program, Ray Pinney interviews Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, an opponent of the court’s Abbott rulings which, he believes, enter an area that is the purview of the state Legislature. Assemblyman Carroll, who represents the 25th district based in Morris County, is considered one of the Legislature’s most conservative and independent voices.
On March 1st, the Educators Effectiveness Task Force, which was appointed by Governor Christie, released its recommendations for changing the way we evaluate both teachers and building principals in New Jersey schools. The Chair of that task force Dr. Brian Zychowski joins host Ray Pinney to discuss the task force’s recommendations. With the Christie administration now pushing for legislative changes to tenure reform as well as teacher evaluations, this conversation is very pertinent.
Diane Ravitch is one of the nation’s leading educational historians.
Ravitch is author of the book “The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education,” which explores the reform movement and the push for more charter schools, tenure reform, and other measures. A research professor of education at New York University and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., she has worked for both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the education reform movement with Dr. Ravitch.
While Governor Christie through Executive Order 42 established a New Jersey Educator Effectiveness Task Force, a separate group of educators formed to create their own recommendations in the area of teacher evaluations. The group was called EQuATE (Educator’s for the Quality Assessment of Teacher Effectiveness) and its report is also now public. Teacher evaluations are now at the forefront of the education reform movement. Please join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the group’s recommendations on how to improve teacher evaluations in New Jersey with the Chair of the task force and Superintendent at Montgomery Township Schools, Mr. Earl Kim.
On Jan. 5th Gov. Christie signed into law the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights which is historic legislation. By most accounts this legislation will have a dramatic impact in our school districts. Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, administrator or school board member this legislation will affect you. Please join host Ray Pinney as he interviews school board attorney Paul Green a partner with the firm of Schenck, Price, Smith & King, on the implications of this law.
What are teachers’ everyday concerns with proposals to change tenure, seniority rights, and evaluation methods?
Ray Pinney, host of Conversations on New Jersey Education, will discuss these issues with Joseph Cheff, a teacher in the Paterson School District and president of the Passaic County Education Association.
Conversations on New Jersey Education, will feature the Assembly Education Committee Chairman Patrick Diegnan. Host Ray Pinney will interview Assemblyman Diegnan on pressing issues including the governor's proposed budget and education reform agenda.
Those who are not familiar with school budgets receive many questions from citizens, such as, How are priorities set? What are a school district’s fixed costs? How does state aid affect property taxes?
Host Ray Pinney will be joined by a panel of experts who will address these questions and other submitted by parents. The panel includes Michael Kaelber, director of NJSBA’s Legal & Policy Services Department; Dr. Valerie Goger, superintendent of the Bernards Township School District; and James Edwards, business administrator of the Brick Township School District.
On February 22nd, Gov. Christie unveiled his state budget and introduced the "New Normal" in state finances. Please join host Ray Pinney and Michael A. Vrancik, NJSBA's director of governmental relations, as they discuss the implications of the state budget on public education in New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie recently announced the approval of 23 new charter schools, and is proposing changes in the state’s charter law that would allow local school boards to authorize charter schools and offer more flexibility for charter school operations. Join host Ray Pinney, Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey and Rebecca Cox, President of the Princeton Board of Education for an in-depth conversation on the future of charter schools in New Jersey.
The Opportunity Scholarship Act has received Senate Committee approval—with bi-partisan support. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the proposal with Christopher Emigholz, Director of Legislative Affairs for the NJDOE. Mr. Emigholz is a supporter of the program.
The Opportunity Scholarship Act has received Senate Committee approval—with bi-partisan support. Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses the proposal with Gordon MacInnes, former New Jersey state senator and assistant commissioner of education. Mr. MacInness is an opponent of the Opportunity Scholarship Act.
Governor Chris Christie has called 2011 “The Year of Education Reform,” and in Tuesday’s State of the State Address stressed that changes to the state’s public education system will be a high priority. Exactly what will this mean for New Jersey’s public schools? And on which issues—tenure and seniority reform, school choice, funding, changes in collective bargaining—will he and the Legislature reach agreement? Join host Ray Pinney as he discusses Education Reform 2011 with Michael Vrancik, NJSBA director of governmental relations, and Ginger Gold-Schnitzer, director of government relations for the NJEA. Expect to hear contrasting viewpoints, insight and informed perspective from the advocates for local school boards and school employees.
School districts are facing challenges as they prepare their first budget under the new 2-percent hard cap.
Join host Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator, as he discusses “The Reality and Repercussions of the 2% Hard Cap” with school business administrator, Douglas Barrett from the Old Tappan School District.
Governor Christie has appointed a nine member Education Effectiveness Task Force which is charged with creating a system that compensates teachers tied to student achievement. Please Join host Ray Pinney as he interviews the Chair of this task force Dr. Brian Zychowski, the superintendent of the North Brunswick School District.
Please join host Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator, as he discusses the implications of the proposed superintendent salary caps with NJSBA President Raymond Wiss. Will this proposal reduce the number of qualified candidates for superintendent positions? Will it affect some districts more than others? Please join the conversation as we discuss the salary caps and other aspects of the proposed regulations.
NJSBA staffer Ray Pinney discussues reflects back on what he thought made an effective teacher. He also will touch on the charge of Governor Christie's Education Effectiveness Task Force.