The New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) is holding its delegate assembly as this article is being written. If you recall, the NJSBA is a tax-funded lobbying group that has supported the current legislation that seeks to destroy the Open Public Records Act and advocates for anti-transparency practices such as Boards by Committees – where policies are deliberated behind closed doors.
The NJSBA has faced increasing criticism from the public regarding its positions, and this is currently playing out in today’s meetings as Boards of Education are pushing back.
According to sources within the meeting, Boards of Education are repeating constitutional language that asserts their bodies are tasked with providing a thorough and efficient education a tenet many feel the NJSBA has departed from.
One resolution advanced by the Toms River BOE involved clawing back money from wealthy developers who partner with communities in PILOT Agreements that enrich their pockets but allow developers not to pay taxes into the school – shifting the burden to working-class and middle-class families.
Another resolution involved ensuring that a child who is 8 years old (as an example) is given the opportunity to correct their behavior before the District hammers them with formal action and enters a record that stays on the student’s file indefinitely.
Unfortunately, the advocacy agenda is ultimately decided on by a small group of people – however, it is good to know that Boards of Education around the state are waking up and starting to push back.