NEW JERSEYNEW JERSEY SCHOOL BOARDS SCHOOL BOARDS

ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION

Governmental Relations

YourYour Voice in Trenton Voice in Trenton

Governmental Relations Department Governmental Relations Department MissionMission

• Win enactment of legislation/administrative code that achieve NJSBA goals

• Prevent passage of legislation/administrative code proposals that would be detrimental to the public education system

• Assist boards to effectuate public policy change for the benefit of their district

WE WORK for YOU!!

POLICY•Broad philosophical statement of belief•Adopted by Delegate Assembly

POSITION•Supports or opposes specific legislation

Policy vs Policy vs PositionPosition

Authority to take Positions on Legislation

•Based upon Existing NJSBA Policy

•Interim Positions authorized by by-laws•Legislative Committee

•Executive Committee

•Adoption by Board of Directors

How NJSBA Formulates Advocacy Agenda How NJSBA Formulates Advocacy Agenda

Policy Development Process

• Resolution Adopted by:– Standing Committee– NJSBA Executive Committee– Local Boards of Education– County School Boards Association– NJSBA Board of Directors

• Delegate Assembly action

Delegate Assembly ResolutionsDelegate Assembly Resolutions

• NJSBA staff researches and analyzes

• Resolutions Subcommittee reviews and makes recommendations to D.A.

• Delegate Assembly votes to approve or not approve

Resolutions Approved by the Resolutions Approved by the Delegate AssemblyDelegate Assembly

• Become Association Policy

• Codified in the Manual of Positions and Policies on Education.

POLICYPOLICYMANUALMANUAL

Manual of Positions and Policies on Manual of Positions and Policies on EducationEducation

• What our members support and want to

encourage

• What our members don’t support and want

to change

• Becomes NJSBA “Advocacy Agenda”

• Can be changed or modified by future D.A.

•Recommendation of NJSBA Standing Committee •School Finance\Special Education

•Recommendation of Legislative Committee

•Adoption by Board of Directors

Position Taken in Absence of PolicyPosition Taken in Absence of Policy

New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey Legislature

• Senate and General Assembly

• 40 Legislative districts

• Each District– State Senator (1)– Assembly Representatives (2)

• Terms– Senate 4 years– Assembly 2 years

Legislative ProcessLegislative Process• Bill Introduced

• Referred to a standing reference committee, sometimes referred to a second committee (fiscal matters)

• House floor vote • Second house repeats committee process

• Second House floor vote• Governor: signs bill New Law !! vetoes bill: Legislature overrides

or does nothing Concurs

When Can You Be Most Effective?When Can You Be Most Effective?

• Upon introduction of a bill

• When referred to a committee

• When considered in a committee

• When considered by the full Senate or Assembly

• When awaiting the Governor’s action

Where Can You Get Information?Where Can You Get Information?

– Governmental Relations Dept.• Phone 1-888-886-5722• web site: www.njsba.org

– Action Alert– Legislation / Code

• Advisories• Legislative Training

Where Can You Get Information?Where Can You Get Information?

– NJSBA Publications• School Board Notes• School Leader

– NJSBA Committees• School Finance• Special Education• Urban Boards

– County School Boards Association• Updates• Discussion

SBN

Governmental Relations DepartmentGovernmental Relations Department

WE WORK FOR YOU!WE WORK FOR YOU!