Government Relations
NJPSA is your representative before the U.S. Congress, State Legislature, Governor’s Office, State Board of education and other federal and state agencies on all issues affecting the quality of public education in the state. NJPSA’s Government Relations (GR) staff analyzes, monitors, and participates in the legislative and regulatory process advocating on your behalf on proposed legislation, code provisions, and policies affecting public schools and school leaders.
The GR staff develops association positions and advocacy priorities through direct interaction with NJPSA members through NJPSA committees, member surveys, and meetings. By developing trusting relationships with the decision makers at all levels of government, the GR staff has access to those who ultimately write, pass, and uphold legislation that affect YOU, your staff, and your school. NJPSA’s GR team communicates these views formally through official testimony during legislative committee hearings and Board meetings, as well as informally through conversations with State and federal lawmakers.
Through NJPSA’s Political Action Committee (NJPSA-PAC), which is funded through member contributions, your Government Relations team is able to maintain a strong and consistent presence with our State Legislature, providing political contributions to help support elected officials who support educational leaders, students, and schools. The NJPSA does not endorse candidates.
NJPSA Action and Updates
New Law Discussion: NJDOE Disabled and LGBTQ Working Group Curriculum Meeting
On January 31, 2019, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2019, c.6 into law. This legislation requires boards of education to include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, [...]
New Law Alert: Governor Takes Action on Legislation Requiring Mental Health Education and Testing A Later Start Time for High School Students
P.L.2019, c.222 (S-2861) requires all New Jersey public schools to include mental health instruction in grades K through 12 health curriculums. The bill aims to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors related to mental health [...]
Quiet August State Board of Ed Meeting
The New Jersey State Board of Education convened for a brief meeting on Wednesday, August 7th, 2019. Outgoing President Arcelio Aponte was honored for his service as President and time spent at the helm. [...]
Governor Murphy Signs New Legislation
On Friday, July 19th, Governor Phil Murphy signed over two dozen bills and resolutions into law. A number of these pieces of legislation impact schools and educators: P.L.2019, JR-17 Designates September of each [...]
Bustle of Education Bills Advanced This Week
In a standing room only meeting at the Statehouse Monday, Chairwoman Ruiz presided over a Senate Education Committee that considered several significant pieces of legislation. A-665/S-2563 Requires each board of education to adopt policy [...]
COURT OVERTURNS CLEMENTON
In 2015 the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) issued what has become known as the “Clementon” decision in which it concluded that employee bargaining associations may not negotiate a lower Chapter 78 employee rate [...]
NJDOE Announcement for Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) Regional Information Sessions
NJDOE Announcement for Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) Regional Information Sessions The New Jersey Department of Education, in collaboration with the Partnership for Collaborative Professional Learning*, seeks to ensure equitable access to high-quality education and postsecondary success [...]
FEA and Nicholson Foundation Focusing on PreK-3 Leadership
The Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA) is proud to announce the next step in its 15-month project, funded by a grant from The Nicholson Foundation, to develop the Transforming Early Childhood Leadership Institute. The [...]
NJPSA Reacts to Gov. Murphy’s Budget Proposal
On March 5, Governor Phil Murphy delivered his annual Budget Address to a Joint Session of the State Legislature, proposing spending of $38.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2020 with an overarching goal of building [...]
A Rite of Spring – Nonrenewal of Non-tenured Staff
By: Wayne Oppito, Esq. New Jersey statute, N.J.S.A. 18A:27-10 reads: On or before May 15 in each year, each nontenured teaching staff member continuously employed by a board of education since the preceding [...]