April 8, 2017
This special announcement will provide you with up-to-date information on pertinent educational issues that are part of the State Board's agenda.
Eyes on the NJ State Board of Education
Meeting Date: April 5, 2017
President's Report
The State Board of Education approved the following resolutions:
happiness in her retirement and future endeavors.
Appointment of a new member to the State Board of Examiners
Commissioner's Report
NJDOE Submits Final ESSA State Plan
Acting Commissioner Harrington
thanked students, parents, educators, policy makers and broader school community members for participating in the development of New Jersey's state plan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
The U.S. Department of Education has 120 days to review and notify the state whether the plan has been approved. The ESSA State Plan, along with other ESSA resources and information, are available in the ESSA section of the Department's website.
Request for Emergency Aid
The State Board adopted the resolution approving emergency aid for the Educational Information and Resource Center, Camden County, in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:58-11.
The State Board of Education approved at adoption level the following:
Student Residency - In January 2016,
P.L.
2016, c. 269 was enacted to permit certain children of military members to remain in their school district of residence when their parent or guardian is ordered into active duty (
N.J.S.A.
18A:38-3.1). Since the chapter currently covers the new law's provisions, the Department only added a reference to the new law wherever applicable
existing law is referenced.
Interdistrict Public School Choice - The State Board voted to readopt regulations pertaining to school choice proposed at
N.J.A.C.
6A:12, pursuant to
N.J.S.A.
18A:36B-14 et seq. and
N.J.S.A.
18A:4-15 without amendments.
Fiscal Accountability Efficiency and Budgeting Procedures - The State Board of Education readopted
N.J.A.C.
6A:23A, Fiscal Accountability, Efficiency, and Budgeting Procedures, Subchapters 16 through 22 with amendments. The chapter was scheduled to expire November 25, 2016, pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1. NJDOE filed this notice with the Office of Administrative Law prior to that date, the expiration date of Subchapters 16 through 22 is extended 180 days to May 24, 2017, pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1.c(2). Subchapters 16 through 22 provide for fiscal accountability, financial accounting, and recordkeeping, calculation of tuition for public schools and private schools for students with disabilities (PSSDs), residency determination, and the
financial operations of charter schools.
Programs to Support Student Development -
The State Board of Education approved
only the new
amendments being proposed in this notice
for publication in the
N.J. Register.
After the 60-day comment period, NJDOE plans to present to the State Board the comments received regarding the notice of proposed substantive changes and the Department's responses.
The comments and responses related to the notice will be presented to the State Board along with all comments received during the 60-day comment period on the initial proposal (48 N.J.R. 1743(a)), including comments not captured in the linked notice. The combined materials will be presented to the State Board at adoption level.
On September 6, 2016,
NJDOE proposed amendments to
N.J.A.C
. 6A:16 at 48 N.J.R. 1743(a), to clarify existing rules implementing the Anti-Bullying
Bill of Rights Act (ABR) (
P.L. 2010
, c. 122) and in response to recommendations proposed by
the Anti-Bullying Task Force. The proposed amendments will assure all students have the
opportunity to achieve academic and behavioral success in safe and supportive learning
environments. The 60-day public comment period closed November 5, 2016. Via a notice of proposed substantive changes, NJDOE is proposing a number of changes to the amendments and new rules in response to comments received.
First Discussion
NJDOE Asst. Commissioner Bob Bumpus and staff presented an overview regarding revisions to NJQSAC
planned for the 2018-2019 school year.
NJDOE proposes to readopt with amendments the emergency regulations at
N.J.A.C. 6A:26 promulgated by the State Board of Education, effective July 13, 2016, to require immediate testing for lead in the drinking water of all New Jersey school districts, charter schools, renaissance schools, jointure commissions, educational services commissions, approved private schools for students with disabilities, State-funded early childcare facilities pursuant to
N.J.A.C. 6A:13A, and receiving schools as defined by
N.J.A.C. 6A:14-7.1(a). The emergency adoption of the regulations was authorized by the Fiscal Year 2017 State Budget (
P.L. 2016, c. 10), which also appropriated $10 million to reimburse district boards of education for costs associated with the required testing. The regulations expire June 30, 2017.
The health, safety and welfare of the children in the state are of utmost importance to the Department. The potential exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water poses serious health problems, particularly for children, as well as for teachers and school personnel, since the risk of lead contamination can come from pipe and plumbing fixtures in educational facilities. The risk of lead contamination also can come from a public water supplier, which has independent testing requirements. The rules proposed for readoption with amendments institute drinking water testing for at all drinking water outlets and food preparation sources in all applicable education facilities in the state.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at
agallagher@njasa.net
or 609-599-2900, ext. 126.
Sincerely,
Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
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