Two Assemblywomen Speak at NJSBA’s Legislative Committee Meeting

Two assemblywomen were guest speakers during the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Legislative Committee meeting, which was held virtually Saturday, Dec. 14.

Carmen Theresa Morales, a Democrat representing Legislative District 34; and Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, also a Democrat representing District 38, highlighted a variety of issues, including school funding.

The meeting kicked off with Chanta L. Jackson, the Association’s vice president for legislation and resolutions; and Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the NJSBA, thanking attendees for joining them on a Saturday morning and wishing them a happy holiday season.

Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director and CEO of the NJSBA, highlighted an email that was sent out to members last week informing them of an opportunity to provide input on New Jersey’s school funding law.

The details on how to provide input can be found in this week’s School Board Notes. As noted in the article, there will be four public hearings. Written comments must be submitted by Jan. 17, 2025.

Purnell strongly urged attendees to consider speaking at a public meeting or to submit written comments. “We have discussed this topic at almost every Legislative Committee meeting,” he said, noting that it will be extremely valuable for the New Jersey Department of Education to hear the local board member perspective.

As for Purnell, he will personally be speaking at one of the hearings on behalf of the NJSBA. “Your input can help change the school funding law or modify what they are considering,” he said.

Next, Purnell introduced Dr. Nicholas Diaz to the members of the Legislative Committee, who joined the Association as deputy director in October.

He comes to the organization with a stellar resume, having formerly served as the shared superintendent at Franklin Township School District and Union Township Schools in Hunterdon County. Prior to that, he was superintendent at Frelinghuysen Township School District in Warren County; principal and district technology articulator for Manville School District in Somerset County; and an assistant principal at Somerville schools, also in Somerset County.

In addressing attendees, Diaz told them their commitment to advance education through legislative action “is nothing short of inspiring.” He observed that advocacy is not only about addressing policies and legislation but is about making a tangible difference in the lives of children and the families that school districts serve.

He also delved into some of his background, noting that he lived in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Hugo devastated the island, and that he knows Spanish. Since joining the NJSBA, his priority has been to “listen and learn,” and he is in the process of completing individual meetings with every single Association staff member.

“I am incredibly impressed by the amount of talent and passion we have in our organization,” he said. “My vision aligns with our shared mission” – and he noted he is laser focused on helping the NJSBA advocate for effective policies that will create more opportunities for student success.

Assemblywomen Focus on an Array of Topics

Jackson introduced Morales, noting that she made history as the first Puerto Rican assemblywoman from Essex County. She is a dedicated education professional with over 22 years of experience and currently serves as the director of curriculum and instruction for the Essex County Schools of Technology.

She is a member of the Assembly Education Committee, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity and the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee.

She is also a former board of education member, having served on the Essex County Schools of Technology board many years ago – the same district she attended as a student. She said she is very passionate about education and got her start as a pre-K and then a kindergarten teacher and has also been an adult education teacher.

When she was given the opportunity to run for the Assembly, she asked herself “why not?” She added, “For me, it was important to take what I have learned and what I am so passionate about – advocacy for students, teachers and education – and take that down to the State House.”

Although it’s her first year serving in the Assembly, she feels she’s ideally suited for the task given her various positions in education, which enables her to analyze the challenges the education community faces with a broad perspective.

Morales is sponsoring A-5077, which would extend the statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data as relevant to educator evaluations. It was approved by the Assembly Education Committee.

She also highlighted A-3873/S-2901, which would allow some high school athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons. The legislation was advanced by the Assembly Education Committee this past spring, and also discussed by the Senate Education Committee on Dec. 5.

• She has personally seen athletes in high school struggle to meet academic and athletic obligations as the result of a hectic schedule. She noted that the bill only gives students the option to opt out of physical education and does not require them to do so. For those that took advantage of the option, however, they could use the time as a study hall, giving them additional time to focus on core academic subjects.

Jackson also introduced Swain, who has been serving in the Assembly since 2018. Prior to joining the state Legislature, she was a member of the Fair Lawn Borough Council from 2008-2018 and was mayor in 2011 and 2018. She’s an accomplished triathlete and member of Team USA, the World Championship Triathlon Team.  She’s also the vice president of the North Jersey Masters Track & Field Club.

Swain is sponsoring A-5075, which would establish the School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program and appropriate $500,000 to help it accomplish its objective.

“Everyone deserves a little extra training and a special relationship with those that have been there and done that,” she said.

She is also committed to getting a better handle on the school funding formula and modifying it, so it better serves school districts while maintaining fiscal responsibility, she said.

“Last year was a particularly difficult year,” she said, referencing school funding. “I don’t have to tell anyone about how we had to struggle last minute to make sure that certain districts received some extra funding, so they did not have to fire all these educators … we need to come up with a much better system.”

Mental health as well as improving teacher retention should also be priorities in Trenton, Swain said.

Morales chimed in on that last point, stating that her school district has been impacted by the teacher shortage like many others.

Anyone who has been in the education field for more than 10 years can remember a time when schools would receive stacks of resumes for a single position, she said. “Now, we are literally calling our colleagues in other districts, begging, asking and pleading … do you have anybody?”

More needs to be done to help solve the problem, she said, which includes repealing the residency restriction and boosting the number of teachers in the educator pipeline.

Businesses and schools could develop partnerships to help ease the teacher shortage in creative ways, she said. “We have to be open to thinking outside the box,” he said. “What is the best way we can meet the needs for all our kids?”

Both assemblywomen highlighted the importance of gaining a firmer handle on school funding, so that it’s more transparent and districts know what they will receive in further advance.

Jonathan Pushman, senior director of advocacy for the NJSBA, moderated the portion of the meeting with the two legislators and drove that point home, emphasizing that “predictability and transparency” on funding is absolutely critical.

The two assemblywomen also focused on numerous other topics, including the use of cell phones in schools by students as well as student literacy.

Governmental Relations Update

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to a rundown of legislation that may have an impact on school districts.

Harrison Silver, the Association’s legislative advocate, delivered a comprehensive report. In addition to highlighting some of the legislation that the two assemblywomen addressed, he joined Purnell in calling attention to the opportunity for board members to comment on school funding reform.

He highlighted numerous bills, including:

• S-3917: Makes various changes to the school funding law, modifies the method of determining the tax levy growth limitation for school districts and revises components of the Educational Adequacy Report.
• S-3957/A-5151: Allows public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until March 1, 2025, regardless of format.

• A-4563: Directs the NJDOE to create the New Jersey Education Funding Portal to make state school aid information available to school districts and the public.

• S-3537: Requires the state to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.

• A-1028/S-1548: Requires districts to adopt policies concerning student use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing at school and school-sponsored events.

• S-1780: Prohibits school districts from denying admittance to students due to tardiness or violation of dress code/school uniform policy; would still allow districts to enforce code of conduct.

• S-3195/A-5331: Requires “food service businesses,” which includes schools, to provide reusable, washable utensils in place of single-use utensils and condiments; schools have five years to reach compliance.

• S-988: Requires the NJDOE and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to establish an online reporting system for schools to report lead testing results.

• S-1777: Establishes a three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools within 1,000 feet of gunfire.

• A-1997: Requires the NJDOE to establish central registry of individuals/organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring.

• A-1682/S-1054: Requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.

• S-2335/S-3096: Requires the New Jersey State Board of Education to adopt the NJSLS in Social Studies on Latino and Hispanic American history.

• S-3497: Expands existing law to require high school students to receive financial literacy instruction.

The next meeting of the committee will take place virtually on Saturday, March 15.

To view the full text of any of the bills summarized above, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.