A month of weekday blogging

Today is the last day of August and I've been blogging about school board stuff every weekday this month. Bottom line: after the first 2 weeks or so, it was difficult to think of topics to write about. So, going into September (yay! that's tomorrow), I am going to take a blogging break and work on my responses to the various questionnaires that hit my email box.

Let me leave you with a summary of the board's main responsibilities: policy, planning, appraisal and communication, plus negotiations with the collective bargaining units, as well as, in my opinion, the board's absolute most important role which is hiring and evaluating the superintendent.

Best wishes for an awesome 2022-2023 school year!

Executive Session

As I discussed in the post on NJ's Open Public Meetings Act, the board is required to conduct its business work in public. Sometimes, the board adjourns to go into executive (aka closed) session. There are very specific and limited reasons for going into executive session, such as personnel matters, legal matters, negotiations, etc. Prior to going into executive session, the board must state the general topic(s) to be discussed, and only those listed topics may be discussed.

Board members don't have the keys to the building

Here's another by the way, and you likely already know this, so this is just a reminder: school board members don't have the keys to school buildings. Building administrators have the keys, but we don't. Board members don't run the school district, our job is to ensure the district is well run.

My opinion on endorsements

The Board of Education election is a nonpartisan race.

I can understand why various organizations might be interested in who is elected to the school board. I think it's great when those organizations invite candidates to respond to questionnaires and then share candidate responses with the public. This is a public service because voters can better understand a candidate in their own words.

However, I am uncomfortable seeking endorsements because I believe the public perception is that I will be somehow more favorable to that organization's position on an issue. For that reason, I have and will continue to decline organizational endorsement opportunities.

On the other hand, I do appreciate when individuals who support my re-election campaign share their reasons why with Hillsborough and Millstone friends and neighbors. Thank you.

Open Public Meetings Act

New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act (also known as the Sunshine Law) means government bodies (like the Board of Education) must conduct their business work in public except in very limited circumstances. Whenever a quorum* of the board meets, even if no official action will be taken, 48 hour written notice of the meeting is required. This keeps the public informed so they could attend if they want.

Noted: The board publishes its annual meeting schedule after its January reorganization meeting.

*In Hillsborough, a quorum is 5 board members because we are a 9 person board.

Municipal Alliance

Are you A.W.A.R.E.* ... that Hillsborough provides information and events regarding substance abuse prevention?

The Hillsborough / Millstone Municipal Alliance meets monthly (2nd Friday of the month at 9AM, unless schools are closed) in the Municipal Building. The Municipal Alliance committee is a partnership between the Township, the Board of Education, parents and community members. You may be familiar with Alliance supported school programs, such as Life Skills, Babes, Red Ribbon Week, Every 15 Minutes and more. Please consider attending an upcoming meeting: www.boroaware.org 

*Advocating Wellness through Addiction Resources and Education

Somerset County NJ Resources

You are not alone.

 
It's important to be aware of community resources. These are free calls. No judgment. Get the help you and your family need.

Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU): 908-704-6330, immediate intervention, assessment, short- term family counseling, case management, and court intervention (after all other interventions have been exhausted) to address youth/family conflict, runaway behavior, truancy, human trafficking, or any serious threat to the well-being/safety of a youth. Youth must reside with their parent/guardian in Somerset County, referrals can be made by family, providers, police, school.

Board Meeting Tonight

In the summer, the board meets once a month, and August's public board meeting is tonight at 7:30PM. The meeting is held at Auten Road Intermediate School in the cafeteria. There will be an executive session starting at 6:30PM which is where the board discusses specific topics as specified by the state's Open Public Meetings Act (also known as the Sunshine Law). Some highlights: the board will welcome and thank Senator Andrew Zwicker, Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer; interim superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will be appointed.

School Board Code of Ethics

There's a lot covered in the School Ethics Act enacted in 1991. The Department of Education website has a good summary with links to the law. The School Ethics Act N.J.S.A. 18A:12-21 et seq. holds school officials (board members, school administrators and NJSBA employees / officers) to a higher standard. This is all good. School board members are specifically reminded to follow the Code of Ethics N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24.1 (a) through (j) which applies only to school board members, also good. 

As an addition, I think all school board members should periodically review the entire School Ethics Act, and especially Findings, declarations N.J.S.A. 18A:12-22:

2. The Legislature find and declares:

a. In our representative form of government it is essential that the conduct of members of local boards of education and local school administrators hold the respect and confidence of the people. These board members and administrators must avoid conduct which is in violation of their public trust or which creates a justifiable impression among the public that such trust is being violated.

b. To ensure and preserve public confidence, school board members and local school administrators should have the benefit of specific standards to guide their conduct and of some disciplinary mechanism to ensure the uniform maintenance of those standards among them.

L.1991,c.393,s.2.

Curious about New Jersey state laws? You can find general information here and search statutes here.

School board members don't get paid a salary.

By the way, and you likely already know this, so this is just a reminder: school board members don't get paid a salary. It is an elected volunteer position. There are some states that pay school board members, but not New Jersey. 

School Board Training

Yesterday I shared about the New Jersey School Boards Association. New Jersey requires all school board members to take training courses, so that we have a knowledge foundation as we fulfill our duties. These courses cover topics such as policy, school finance, student achievement, labor relations and school law. These courses must be taken in the first, second and third years of a board member's first term in office. Then, in the first year of any re-elected or reappointed term, board members must take a course in school law updates. Apparently, no other elected officials in the state are required to take such training.

Training helps me be an informed school board member, and I have achieved the highest level of individual certification, "Certified Board Leader."

Ballot position & NJSBA

I drew the last ballot position yesterday. That's okay, and I'm up for the challenge! Please help me remind voters to find me all the way to the right on the ballot. Thank you!

Today I wanted to highlight New Jersey School Boards Association. NJSBA is a nonpartisan, state-created federation of local boards of education. They offer a foundation of knowledge and support for new and experienced board members. For the curious community member, there is also a lot of free information available on their website.

Does ballot position matter?

Or lawn signs? Or endorsements?

I think this is an interesting question. Let's say you are a voter who has researched all the candidates, you know what each candidate stands for, and before you go into the voting booth (or vote by mail or early vote), you know who you are voting for. Then, I think the above factors won't influence you.

However, let's say you are a voter who is voting for "top of the ballot" election races, and then you realize "oh! there's something about a school board" all the way at the bottom. And you have no idea who these people are?! [An aside: that was me when I first moved to Hillsborough 20 years ago. Back then, the school board election was in April and voters also had to approve the school budget.] This is where I think name recognition matters because of the familiarity heuristic, derived from the availability heuristic, i.e.  you are influenced by what you easily remember. [Another aside: I first learned about this psychology research in Michael Lewis' book The Undoing Project.]

But these factors really shouldn't matter, right? This is a volunteer position, and I am running a $0 campaign. What do lawn signs or mailers tell you about me except my name? The purpose of my blog/Facebook page is so I can share with the community why the school board is so important, i.e. more than just my name. I am also asking Hillsborough and Millstone residents who support my re-election to please share your reasons with your friends and neighbors. Over the last 5.5 years, I have done my homework to become a well educated school board member, so that I can ask the right questions to ensure the Hillsborough school district is well run.

Finally, later today at 3PM, the County Clerk will conduct a drawing for ballot position in the County Clerk’s office. This drawing is open to the public and will also be live-streamed on Somerset County’s Facebook page. The results of the drawing will be posted on the Clerk’s website immediately following the drawing.

But I have to be realistic, and I would say the person in the first ballot position has the greatest advantage, and an advantage also extends to the second and third ballot positions. So, I'll be watching the results!

Welcome to a Board Meeting!

A board meeting is the (volunteer) board's business meeting that, by law, must be conducted in public. It is a meeting held in public, but it is not a meeting for the public. This is an interesting distinction, and one that can be confusing. A board meeting is an opportunity for the public to view the board's work, but a public board meeting is not an appropriate venue for a conversation. That is why the public comment periods are prefaced with a statement that public comment periods are not Q&A sessions. It's an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts with the board before they vote (first public comment period) and also on any topic (second public comment period).

What is the district's chain of communication?

The chain of communication means that if there is an issue, you would start at the level closest to the issue. For example, if there is a question about your child, you would start with the classroom teacher and if the issue is not able to resolved, then you would move up the chain of communication, to the department supervisor or principal, etc. This is Hillsborough's chain of communication.

If a board member is advised of any issue or complaint in the district, they should refer the individual to the lowest level in the chain of communication. The board member should also notify the Superintendent of the issue and that the individual was referred to the lowest level in the chain of communication.

What's the relationship between the board and superintendent?

The school board's role is to ensure that schools are well run through oversight and accountability. But the board does not actually run the schools. It's the superintendent's job to oversee the day-to-day district operations. The board establishes school district policy and goals, and the superintendent uses these policies and goals to run the schools. The board focuses on the "what," and the superintendent focuses on "how" things will be implemented.

It's important to recognize the board has only one employee: the superintendent. The superintendent is accountable to the board, and every other staff member is accountable to the superintendent. Also, one of the board's most important roles is to hire and evaluate the superintendent. The annual evaluation is like a summative communication tool between the board and the superintendent, and ongoing teamwork between the board and the superintendent is essential for a high performing school district.

What does a Board of Education do?

So what does the (volunteer) BOE do? The board adopts policies for the school district; adopts the budget; approves the curriculum; represents the public during contract negotiations; serves as the communication link between the community and the school system; and hires and evaluates the superintendent. 

Board members have no individual authority. Their authority is only from their participation in decisions made at a duly noticed public meeting of the board, i.e. official board meeting. Also, one or two board members cannot enact anything on their own. They need to persuade a simple board majority or 2/3 board majority (depending on the topic) to see things their way.

It's also important to remember that board members are elected to represent the entire district and make decisions in the best interests of all students.

More BOE Nomenclature

So it's come to my attention that my earlier "BOE Basics" post didn't address "where does the Superintendent fit in" with the Board of Education? To further confuse matters, there's a sign outside the Municipal Building that says "Board of Education." The people who work at the "board offices" at 379 South Branch Road are actually part of the "central administration," aka "district office," "district administration," "central office," etc. This includes the Superintendent, the Business Administrator, business office staff, human resources staff, supervisors, etc. The central office is sometimes referred to as the "Board of Education" but that is incorrect, and super confusing.

I really liked how a friend distinguished the two: there's the "paid" BOE (aka central administration) and the "volunteer" BOE (9 elected board members). Hope this helps!

Why does a Board of Education exist?

Boards of Education exist because the State of New Jersey created us. The responsibilities have evolved from colonial times when the Board of Education handled school operations to now where education is more complex that professional educators are hired to run the schools.

Why does a Board of Education even exist?

 Why does a Board of Education even exist? I'll share some history tomorrow.

BOE Basics

To become a member of the Board of Education in New Jersey, you must

1) be able to read and write

2) be a US citizen and have one year's residency in your town

3) be registered to vote in your town

4) plus a few other items such as have no contract with or claim against the board, not hold office as a member of the municipal governing body, not be disqualified for conviction of certain crimes, etc.

5) be one of the top 3 vote getters (assuming the regular term) in your election

The Hillsborough BOE (which also includes Millstone Borough) is a 9 member board. Each board member is elected for a 3 year term, and each year, 3 board member terms expire.

My colleagues Greg Gillette and John Oliver were elected with me in 2019 and they chose not to run for re-election this year. My colleague Jim Ruh was appointed to fill a vacancy earlier this year and also chose not to run for election.

So, this November 8, 2022, voters have a choice of 5 candidates to fill the regular 3 "full three year terms," Jean Trujillo the incumbent and 4 new candidates. And, because there was a vacancy, there is 1 special "two year unexpired term" which is uncontested. I'm super happy that Jane Staats will be returning as a board member.

Please remember, the school board is a nonpartisan, volunteer unpaid position. I am a Certified Board Leader which is the highest level of individual certification. I've invested the time to learn about education, policy and I do my homework. I ask for your vote this November 8, 2022. Thank you.

Do You Know ... Your Board of Education?

I'm running for a third term on the Board of Education, and over the next few days, I'll start at the beginning and answer some frequently asked questions (FAQ). Synonyms: Board of Education, BOE, BoE, school board.

Please re-elect Jean Trujillo to the Hillsborough Board of Education

I filed to run for a third term on the Hillsborough Township Board of Education. I have decided again, as I decided when I ran for BOE in 2019 and 2016, that I will not use lawn signs. What do lawn signs really tell you about a candidate except their name? Instead, I invite you to learn about me as a school board candidate through this blog and my Facebook page. I educate myself on the issues and do my homework. I ask for your vote on November 8, 2022 so that I may continue to advocate for Hillsborough's children.

Please consider signing up for my email mailing list to stay updated with my campaign information.

P.S. Also, argh! I just discovered the links to my "Letters to the Editor" from 2016 are all broken. That will teach me to post links vs. posting the original letter itself!