Topics in Legislation

BOE members Maria Wood and Alicia Aninowsky attended the Legislative Panel session which included Senator Declan O'Scanlon, Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblyman Erik. K. Simonson.  Jonathan Pushman, Director of Governmental Relations for the NJSBA, led the discussion.  

The current teacher shortage was discussed and all three legislators indicated it is a priority to address at the state level.  Sen. Ruiz believes more students may be attracted to the teaching profession if salaries were adjusted for inflation and the residency requirement was repealed.  She stressed the importance of "elevating the profession" by representing teachers and college teaching programs with greater respect.  Assemblyman Simonson is sponsoring bills that encourage hiring veterans for coaching positions and certain teaching positions, and commented a recent rise in student behavioral issues in schools has driven some teachers away.  He recommends school districts facing this problem reevaluate their discipline procedures in order to restore the respect of teachers in their schools.  He is also sponsoring a bill which prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring student growth objectives to evaluate teachers (bill A4906), which he believes will eliminate a great deal of stress and administrative workload from the profession.  

All three legislators reviewed measures that have already been taken to address the teacher shortage including incentives for retired teachers to return to the classroom, the repealing of edTPA (a lengthy evaluation process for new teachers), and the development of programs to reimburse teachers for professional development expenses. 

The legislators discussed the school funding formula, all agreeing reform is needed.  Sen. O'Scanlon stated NJ is approaching its last year of the S2 funding structure, so can expect fiscal reform in 2025.  He and Sen. Ruiz agreed the timing of the budget process should be changed.  Currently,  the state releases the budget for education in late February, and schools are required to submit their budgets for approval only a few weeks later.  The Senators agreed this is not enough time for a district to right itself should there be a financial cut.  Sen. O'Scanlon challenged the tax cap, saying it may no longer be appropriate given inflation rates, rising special education costs, the teacher shortage and changing school security needs.  

Other topics discussed included the free and reduced lunch program, mental health services adapting to the new "hub and spoke" model introduced last year, and the bussing crisis which Assemblyman Simonson stated is limiting many districts' ability to run their full schedule of extracurricular activities.  

Please check our home page for information regarding specific state and federal bills and initiatives that pertain specifically to Little Silver Schools.