news may06 - NJPSAnjpsa.org/.../njpsa_today/2006/news_may_2006.pdf · 2006 Kindest School in New...

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors AssociationAn Affiliate of NAESP and NASSP

MAY 2006

PAGE 2

--25TH ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS: How NJPSA Emerged as a Unified Association

PAGE 3

--NJPSA to Hold First Annual Membership Meeting on May 11

PAGE 4

--NJPSA’s Deborah Harvest Appointed to NAESP Board of Directors

PAGE 5-6

--O’Halloran Gives Testimony Before the NJ Senate Budget Committee

PAGE 6

--School Leadership Institute Boasts Renowned Education Authorities

PAGE 7-8

--Should You Purchase Service Credit?; Summer Retirement Workshop Planned

PAGE 9

--Bills to Cap Unused Sick Leave Payments Follow Release of SCI Report

PAGE 10

--Summer Rutgers-FEA Education Law and Policy Institute in Wildwood

PAGE 11-12

--Commencement 2006

PAGE 13-14

--FEA/NJPSA/NJASCD FALL CONVENTION--Don’t Miss This Summer’s “Hands On–Minds On” NJ ELITE Technology Conference!

PAGE 15

--Verizon NJ Sponsors FEA’s Secretaries and School Support Staff Program--Earn up to $200,000 of Samsung and Microsoft Products

PAGE 16

--2006-2007 NJPSA Committee Volunteer Form

PRESIDENT

Timothy O’Halloran, PrincipalSomerville High SchoolSomerville, Somerset County

PRESIDENT ELECT

Maria Corso, PrincipalLyncrest SchoolFair Lawn, Bergen County

VICE PRESIDENT

Elizabeth Panella, PrincipalRumson-Fair Haven High SchoolRumson, Monmouth County

RECORDING SECRETARY

Frank Palatucci, PrincipalHighland Regional High SchoolBlackwood, Camden County

TREASURER

Joseph Pompeo, Ed.D., PrincipalWallington Jr./Sr. High SchoolWallington, Bergen County

PAST PRESIDENT

Gloria J. TunstallAssistant SuperintendentTrenton Public SchoolsTrenton, Mercer County

NAESP REPRESENTATIVE

JoAnn Susko, Ed.D., PrincipalHammarskjold Middle SchoolEast BrunswickMiddlesex County

NASSP STATE COORDINATOR

Michael A. Wanko, Ph.D.Principal, Piscataway High School Piscataway, Middlesex County

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Bert Ammerman • Angela Bender • Louis Della Barca • Denise Dunham • Georgiann Gongora • Deborah Harvest • Daniel L. Money • Dominick Tarquinio • Patricia WrightEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JoAnn D. BartolettiEDITOR

Grace A. Moylan

NJPSA VISION STATEMENTThe New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association recognizes that strong leadership is essential to educational leadership in New Jersey. NJPSA is dedicated to assist-ing school leaders promote effective teaching and student learning. NJPSA asserts itself on the local, county, state and national levels to address school quality and the professional leadership needs of school administrators and supervisors.

Phone: 609-860-1200 - Fax: 609-860-2999 or 6677 E-Mail: [email protected] - Web: www.njpsa.org

© 2006, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.

NJPSA Today: May 2006NJPSA: 25 Years of Service

25TH ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS:

How NJPSA Emerged as a Unified Association for New Jersey School Leaders

In 1981, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association emerged when two associations—the Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (EMSAANJ) and New Jer-sey Secondary School Principals and Supervisors Association (NJSSPSA)—agreed to join together as one unifi ed association with 3590 members.

Twenty-fi ve years, over 7000 members, two executive directors and four headquarters later, NJPSA has become one of the most powerful professional associations for K-12 school leaders in the country.

This year, NJPSA celebrates 25 years of service to its members. In honor of this memorable milestone, we have created celebra-tory programs and events for members of our association.

These programs and events include a special membership re-cruitment campaign with enticing awards for members who sign up school leaders as members and our annual fall convention which will celebrate “25 Years of Service: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future.”

JANUARY 1981

Governing bodies of both associations send copies of the proposed constitution to members for review and discussion.

JUNE 1981

The merger is completed. The new name of the association is New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.

MARCH 1981

By a 75% required majority, the leadership of both associations agree to mail ballots to their members for a vote on the merger.

APRIL 1981

Ballots from both associations are counted; 93% of the members of both associations vote to approve the merger.

OCTOBER 1981

NJPSA COUNCIL

MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

The total membership of the NJPSA is 3590.

JANUARY 1981

MARCH 1980

The EMSAANJ Executive Committee and the NJSSPSA Board of Governors pledge to study the possibility of “consolidation” of services. Both boards pass resolutions to form a joint committee (Unification Committee) to study the merger.

APRIL 1980

Governing bodies of both associations agree to a joint merger trial period of operations.

JUNE – JULY 1980

Staffs of EMSA and SPS meet to discuss joint operations and compare office procedures.

JULY 1, 1980

Executive bodies of EMSA and SPS hold a Joint Leadership Conference to examine the benefits of and issues relating to unification.

Years of Service25


MEMBER E-MAIL:

Marrandino Announces $10,000 Boyer Award for Brigantine Elementary SchoolI want to thank NJPSA for the information that appeared in the September issue of NJPSA Today newsletter concerning the Boyer National Best Practice Award. As a result, we submitted an application for our award winning character education program. Based on the application and an on site visit, we are one of three schools nationally to receive the award and a $10,000 check. Our programs will also be featured in the September issue of Teaching K-8 Magazine. We would not have known about this award unless we read about it in your publication.

Besides this national award, our school has also been nominated by the NJDOE as one of five schools in the state for the 2006 No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon School award. The Brigantine Elementary School has also won the 2006 Kindest School in New Jersey award and the NJEA-Radio Disney award for the most books read by students. We are also a NJ Star School, a Governor’s School of Excellence, and recipient of four NJ Best Practice awards.

I have been a proud member of NJPSA for thirty-seven years.

Sincerely,

Donald A. Marrandino, Principal, Brigantine Elementary School

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Boyer Center, established in 1997, exists to facilitate renewal in school and community by conducting research on critical education issues, providing resources which advocate integrated approaches to teaching and learning, and offering services which connect educational and social institutions. We invite you to explore our web site to learn more about the life and work of Ernest L. Boyer, The Boyer Center, and its commitment to promoting Dr. Boyer’s educational vision and ideals.

NJPSA to Hold First Annual Membership Meeting on May 11All members are invited to attend

The fi rst ever Annual Membership Meet-ing of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association will take place on Thursday, May 11 at NJPSA/FEA Headquarters, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Township, N.J. beginning at 9:15 am. All NJPSA members are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will serve as a kick-off for the celebration of NJPSA’s 25th anniver-sary. We will ask you to share your thoughts with us on our plan to create a public relations initiative around the theme, “The School Leader is Central to Student Achieve-ment and Safety.”

The meeting will feature a discussion of many of the hot issues being debated in Trenton, including the future of the public employee pension system, school funding and administrative spending limits. With the Governor and Legislature considering a freeze on education spending and limits on public pensions there has never been a more im-portant time for all members to be informed and involved. Members will leave with specifi c steps they can take to be effective advocates on the issues that matter most, includ-ing protecting your pension and building stronger commu-nity support for your schools.

By attending this meeting, you will learn fi rst hand about the comprehensive array of services and benefi ts available to you as a member, including legal services, assistance with negotiations, profes-sional development, legislative advocacy, retirement consultation, participation in NJPSA committees and special discounts available exclusively to NJPSA members. Members will leave with practical strate-gies for promoting strong relations with

parents, boards of education, superintendents and state legislators.

The Annual Membership meeting is required under the recently adopted NJPSA Constitution and will occur each year between April 15 and June 30. Beginning in 2007, it will serve as the forum for the election of members to NJPSA’s Board of Directors.

Members may view the NJPSA Constitution and Bylaws by going to NJPSA’s website at www.njpsa.org and click-ing on the “Members Only” section.

Members wishing to attend the meeting are asked to complete a response form and fax it to NJPSA at 609-860-2999. The form may be downloaded at NJPSA’s website in the “Members Only” section. ◄

Register Today for the FEA’s Professional DevelopmentWorkshops, Conferences and Special Programs!


ATLANTIC COUNTY

Raymond AllenMichele T. McGettigan

BERGEN COUNTY

Denise R. ColaneriChristopher DavilaAndrea J. Oates-ParchmentScott H. Rossig

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Dana E. Walker

CAMDEN COUNTY

David M. BurnsRosario CasianoSiobhan KellyMarsden M. OwensDino Valentino

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Bronwen D. Sewall

ESSEX COUNTY

Rose M. Gordon

HUDSON COUNTY

Louis R. ManuppelliScott J. Wohlrab

HUNTERDON COUNTY

John DeutschGeorge F. “Wharton, III”

MERCER COUNTY

Ryann A. AdlerRobert T. LongoLawrence E. ParkerAllison Zamparelli

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Shirley A. EylerCarlos M. “Gramata, Jr.”Mark J. KmiecBonnie R. KoleAlexandra V. Lopez

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Leslie V. BrianNancy Flynn

OCEAN COUNTY

Evelyn V. Swift

PASSAIC COUNTY

Barbara Diaz

SOMERSET COUNTY

Scott D. HoughToby KansagorPeter J. Sibilia

UNION COUNTY

Matthew Block

WARREN COUNTY

Lawrence J. CascioPatricia A. HetrickGwendolyn Miller

Welcome, NJPSA New Members!

NJPSA’s Deborah Harvest Appointed to NAESP Board of Directors

Deborah M. Harvest, principal of John-nie L. Cochran, Jr. Academy in East Or-ange, was recently appointed as a repre-sentative on the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Board of Directors. The appointment is for a term of three years beginning July 1, 2006.

Deborah will represent elementary school principals and ethnic minority principals on issues relevant to the profes-sion. She has been honored by NAESP on many occasions for her accomplishments as a school leader. In 2004, she was the NAESP National Distinguished Principal for New Jersey and, in 2005, she earned honors as one of just two NAESP and Nova Southeastern University Scholarship Fellows in the country.

Deborah has been a member of NJPSA since September 1992. She is currently a member of the NJPSA Board of Directors. ◄

NJPSA Membership Categories

Active Membership: Active membership is open to any practicing New Jersey school administrator or supervisor. Active members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges, including the right to vote and hold offi ce, including but not limited to, election to the Council, to the Cabinet and to any offi cer position. A practicing school administrator or supervisor is defi ned to be anyone who has responsibility for the administration and/or supervision of school or district program and/or staff. Active members are entitled to all NJPSA services and benefi ts. These include legal services, negotiations and fi eld representation, association paid insurance, professional development services, publications and much more.Associate Member: Associate Members are those who are not practicing school administrators or supervisors, but who engage in educational pursuits. An associate member may include col-lege or university professors. Associate members are not eligible to hold offi ce or vote. Service includes publications, profes-sional development opportunities and discount programs. This is an excellent inexpensive way to stay in the mainstream of the education community.Aspiring Administrator: Membership is open to any educator practicing in a New Jersey school district who is not currently serving in any school administrator or supervisory capacity. Aspiring administrator members are not eligible to hold offi ce or vote. Aspiring Members are permitted to serve on standing committees as non-voting members. These Aspiring Members would not be permitted to serve as a committee chair.Retired Membership: Retired membership is open to former active, associate and/or aspiring administrators, with at least fi ve (5) years membership prior to retirement. Retired members are not eligible to vote or hold offi ce. Many services can automati-cally continue and others are available for a fee.Retired Lifetime Member: Lifetime membership is open to re-tired members with fi ve (5) years of uninterrupted membership. The fee is paid once.Organizational/Support Services Membership: Organiza-tional membership is open to any group or organization that provides, contributes or promotes services to the educational community. Organizational members are not eligible to hold offi ce or vote. Organizational members are entitled to all NJPSA services and benefi ts. These include legal services negotiations and fi eld representation, association paid insurance, professional development services and publications.Corporate Allied partners (CAP): Membership is open to corporations and organizations that contribute to or promote ser-vices to the educational community. Corporate Allied Partners are not eligible to hold offi ce or vote. CAP structure refl ects four levels of participation with a dues structure set at commensurate levels.Private School Membership: Private school membership is open to any principal, headmaster, or supervisor working full or part time in a private school, whether secular or non secular, who are not active members. Private school members may not hold offi ce or vote. Private school members are entitled to contract negotiations but not legal representation. The Cabinet shall have the power to pass upon the qualifi cations of applicants for private school membership. ◄


continued on next page

O’Halloran Gives Testimony Before the NJ Senate Budget Committee Senate Budget Committee Hearing, April 11, 2006

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Com-mittee – Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Timothy O’Halloran and I am the President of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. I am also the Principal of Somerville High School.

NJPSA represents the middle management or building level leaders of our public schools. Our members include school principals, assistant principals, depart-ment heads, directors of special education, athletic directors and other supervisory employees working directly in the schools. We are the front line individuals respon-sible for student achievement, curriculum development, school security, state assess-ment, school discipline, and childhood health and safety.

Today, we face a tough budget climate. Your task is im-mense and your choices are difficult. But an investment in our children is a worthy one. And by every measure, I am proud that the investment in New Jersey ’s students is pay-ing off. National and state data show that New Jersey has one of the top public school systems in the nation.

For example, New Jersey ’s public school students have the single highest average Advanced Placement, or AP, exam scores in the country. Our public school students outperform private schools on these AP Exams. New Jersey ’s public schools have the best foreign language programs. Our SAT scores are rising and we have the highest percentage of students taking the SAT.

Not only are we among the top in the nation for student performance, but we continue to make great gains. Since 1994, our reading scores on the NAEP, the only national test that compares New Jersey with other states, have increased 15 percent in reading for fourth graders. In just the last two years, between 2003 and 2005, the propor-tion of New Jersey public school 4th graders who scored at the highest two levels in mathematics on the NAEP increased by 18%. We are making similar gains in clos-ing the achievement gap among our Abbott and non-Abbot districts.

And while I could spend the rest of my testimony sharing with you many more success stories under the stewardship of New Jersey ’s school leaders, I am here today to urge that we do not derail the train of student performance dur-ing this budget cycle.

Although the budget is mixed with both good and bad, there are important elements in the Governor’s Budget proposal that our association supports, particularly in the context of the state’s dire fiscal condition.

First, we applaud the Governor for propos-ing a significant and long-overdue contri-bution to public employee pensions and for fully funding the premium on our hard-earned post-retirement medical benefits.

We ask you to ensure the solvency of both accounts, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because this will ensure that New Jersey continues to attract and retain high quality public school educators to teach our children.

For the past few years of flat state fund-ing of our schools, NJPSA has asked this Legislature to recognize the need for ad-ditional state aid to districts experiencing high enrollment growth. We are pleased to see that the Governor has recognized

this overdue need and proposed increased aid for districts experiencing above-average enrollment growth. These schools have no control over the demographics that impose major new costs on their budgets.

Similarly, we support the Governor’s recognition of the budgetary impact of high cost special education place-ments, such as the in-district autistic programs slotted for additional state grants through the budget proposal. This Legislature has long recognized the need for additional aid to all types of school districts to address such high need placements. In fact, the Legislature committed to fully fund the “extraordinary aid” fund through a phase-in approach four years ago. We urge you to consider mak-ing another payment toward that legislative commitment which will assist special needs students, local districts and property taxpayers in every school and legislative district in this state.

We also commend the commitment to additional fund-ing for Abbott pre-school expansion, and the maintenance of the teacher mentoring program. A recent study by the Alliance for Excellent Education conservatively estimates the national cost of teachers who leave the profession to be about $2.2 billion annually. New Jersey ’s costs are estimated at $72 million annually for teachers leaving the profession, while total turnover costs are even higher. Our state investment in teacher mentoring is critical to minimizing such costs and increasing the retention of our brightest novice teachers in our schools.

Nevertheless, for many school districts, these are troubling times. The Governor has recognized that “flat funding in an inflating environment is a real cut.” Reports from our members on their proposed local budgets confirm that fact.

Timothy O’Halloran (left), President of NJPSA and Principal of Somerville High School, delivered testimony concerning the adverse effects that the proposed state budget would have on education during a Senate Budget Committee hearing at NJIT in Newark. NJPSA Retirement Coordinator Richard Klockner is seen on the right.


This problem is compounded by a bleak picture in Wash-ington, DC . Overall, New Jersey ’s public schools don’t get much from the federal government, and what little we get will be even less this year with federal funding cuts across the board from special education to Title I.

With decreasing federal aid, the fourth year of flat state funding and the impact of S-1701, schools across the state are making staff reductions, significant program cuts or proposing increased local property taxes. In order to miti-gate this situation, we ask for two things:

• that a portion of any revised revenue projections in this budget cycle be directed to meet student needs; and

• that the Legislature consider revisions to S-1701 which include the continuation of existing budget cap exemptions for school security and insurance costs and the adoption of one for rising utility costs.

Finally, if we want to preserve and improve upon our state educational gains, we must make a commitment to solve this unsustainable school funding crisis.

In practice, New Jersey has not had an operational state aid formula for our public schools in recent years. We are calling upon you today to begin consideration of a new school funding formula – a formula that will be funded and fair. I have attached a proposal developed by NJPSA and other education stakeholders to begin the dialogue.

In sum, we realize we have many challenges and difficult choices in the upcoming months. New Jersey ’s pub-lic schools are among the best in the nation. We need a budget that ensures and continues this educational perfor-mance and progress.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to provide you with this testimony. ◄

Timothy O’Halloran NJPSA President

O’Halloran Gives Testimony continued from previous page

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Tell Congress to Make Education a Priority in the Budget!

Tuition Tax Credit/Voucher Legislation Threatens NJ Public Schools!

Visit the NJPSA Legislative Action Center at www.njpsa.org to have your voice heard!

School Leadership Institute Boasts Renowned Education Authoritieson the Campus of Princeton University July 10-14, 2006

Monroe

The School Leadership Institute is held on the campus of Princeton University every summer. The dates for this year are July 10 -14, 2006. Don’t miss this spectacular international event! Ask anyone who has ever attended and they will tell you it is one of the most informative and uplifting events for educators that they know of. Past at-tendees have told us that they feel renewed and armed with new and vital information giving them a positive outlook for the coming school year.

The featured speakers for this year are:

• Dr. Lorraine Monroe Keynote: The Monroe Doctrine: Effective Practices that Create Excellent Schools and A Special Workshop: LMLI Tools that Work

• Dr. Patricia Wolfe Brain Research: Fad or Foundation?

• Dr. Max Thompson Learning-Focused Leadership

• Dr. Arthur L. Costa Assessment Strategies for Self-Directed Learning

• Juan Enriquez The Untied States of America

• Dr. Theodore Sizer & Nancy Sizer Principals in Pickle -- Test Scores, Shrinking Budgets, Restless Staffs, Needy Kids

• Denise Hecht, MBA Collaborative Leadership in a Global Society

• Sharon McCarthy Looking Beyond Leadership As We Know It

Don’t miss this great opportunity to network with peers from around the world. Enrollment is limited! Visit www.njpsa.org to register and for more information or call Pro-fessional Development at 609-860-1200. ◄

Wolfe Thompson Costa

Enriquez Sizer Hecht McCarthy



Should You Purchase Service Credit? By Richard J. Klockner, NJPSA Retirement/Membership Coordinator

One of the factors used to calculate your retirement allowance is the number of years and months of service credit in the pension fund. If you are eligible to buy service credit, it could be to your advantage to make that purchase. This article provides a condensed summary of information published by The

Division of Pensions and Benefits on the topic. Regulation pertaining to purchases and eligible service is contained in N.J.S.A. 17:3-5. For more information, visit the Division’s website at (www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions) to access a copy of Fact Sheet 1- Purchasing Service Credit and Fact Sheet 2-Estimating the Cost of Purchasing Service Credit.

The cost of purchasing eligible service depends on the type of service. A shared-cost purchase is one in which the member pays only the employee’s share and not the employer’s share of the purchase.

Only active members of the pension system are permit-ted to purchase service credit. Active members are those currently contributing to the pension fund or those who have contributed within the last two (2) years, unless extended under the continuance of membership provisions in N.J.S.A.18A:66-8. You may purchase all, or part, of any eligible service. Various types of service qualify for purchase. Shared-cost purchases include the following:

• Former membership credit in a New Jersey State-administered retirement system;

• Former service with any employer which was not certified for membership, but which would have qualified on an optional or compulsory basis at the time the service was rendered;

• After August 6, 2001, continuous temporary or substitute service as a teacher immediately preceding enrollment;

• Leaves of absence without pay:Up to 2 years service credit for personal illness. Proof of disability may be required.Maximum period for personal reasons, including childcare leave, is 3 months.

• Eligible out-of-State public employment, or employment in schools within and outside the United States operated by a department of the United States Government for the instruction of the children of U.S. Government employees, up to a total purchase of 10 years.

• Service established under a local, municipal or county retirement system within the State of New Jersey; and

• Non-concurrent PERS service if a dual member of TPAF and PERS. All or a portion of non-concurrent

service in PERS from an expired or withdrawn account may be purchased.

The employer is not liable for any amount of a full-cost purchase. The member must pay both the employee and the employer share. Therefore, the computed lump sum purchase cost is doubled to establish the full cost to the member. Full-cost purchases include:

•Active duty military service prior to enrollment; and•Employment with the Federal government.

A member is eligible to purchase an aggregate of up to 10 years of out-of-State public employment, military service, and Federal employment provided that the member is neither receiving, nor entitled to receive, a retirement al-lowance for such service from any other public retirement system and provides proof to the Division of Pensions and Benefits that the member has withdrawn from such other system. A qualified veteran shall be eligible to purchase an additional five years of military service rendered during periods of war for an aggregate of 15 years of such service. (N.J.A.C. 17:3-5.5, 7(c))

Service rendered outside of the United States, with the exception of service rendered to a local school board in territories or possessions of the U.S., Washington, DC and the Canal Zone, is not purchasable.

Estimating the Cost of Purchasing Service Credit

Members considering the purchase of eligible service credit need to weigh the cost against the increase in the retirement allowance. Individual circumstances vary and the cost is determined by the member’s age and salary at the time of purchase.

Numerous factors determine the cost of purchasing service credit. They include:

• your nearest age at the time the Division receives your purchase application; and

• the higher of your current annual base salary or highest fiscal year base salary as a member of the pension fund; and

• the amount of eligible service time you purchase; and • the type of purchase.Methods of payment for purchases include the following:

• lump sum; or • partial lump sum; balance by extra payroll deductions;

or • extra deductions equal to at least one-half of the full

regular pension deduction for a maximum period of 10 years.


REGULARLY VISIT THENJ DIVISION OF PENSIONS AND BENEFITS AT

www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions

Extra payroll deductions will include regular interest (8.75%) for the term of the installment. Members consid-ering paying for service credit over time should explore other less costly loan arrangements to fund this purchase. New rules allow the purchase of service credit by rolling over funds from another qualifi ed retirement savings plan. To determine your plan’s eligibility, obtain the Direct Roll-over/Trustee-to-Trustee Transfer of Funds for the Purchase of Additional Service Credit form from the Division.

The following example illustrates a shared cost purchase based upon the factors outlined above:

A member 50 years/4 months of age at the time of request has an age factor of .055, and a current or highest an-nual salary of $80,000. The cost of purchasing 1 year of service credit amounts to $4,400 (Age Factor x Highest Annual Salary= Cost of 1 Year). Multiply the one-year cost by the number of years to be purchased to determine the total cost. That same cost, if made when the member was 35 years old with a salary of $50,000 (Age Factor .039 x Highest Annual Salary $50,000), would have been $1950. In most cases, the longer you wait to purchase service credit, the more it will cost you.

In the example above, to calculate the cost of purchasing military service, local retirement system, and U.S. Govern-ment civilian service, you must double the cost.

This article should not be considered an endorsement to purchase additional service credit. Individual circum-stances vary. Members considering the purchase of eligible service credit need to weigh the cost against the increase in the retirement allowance.

NJPSA provides services and information to assist with the retirement process. Members may schedule an indi-vidual retirement counseling session by contacting Richard Klockner, Retirement/Membership Services Coordinator, [email protected]. ◄

Summer Retirement Workshop PlannedContemplating retirement? Retirement is a major step that requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the pension benefi ts and options available in the New Jersey Retirement System. Come join Retirement Coordinator Richard Klockner on Monday, July 24th at 10 a.m. in the Wildwood Convention Center for NJPSA’s comprehensive retirement planning workshop. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call NJPSA at 609-860-1200, or Email: [email protected] to enroll. Space is limited.

This workshop will provide information on how to make the right retirement decisions. The presenter will guide you through the retirement process by examining the pen-sion system rules and regulations. Topics will include:

•calculating the retirement allowance•pension options •survivor benefi ts •health benefi ts•taxation of retirement benefi ts•insurance •employment after retirement

Each participant will receive a packet of reference materi-als published by the Division of Pensions. ◄

Purchase Service Credit?continued from previous page

Does One - Size Fit All?Deciding on college and a career is never an easy choice for your students.Some of them feel uninspired by college as the solution to their personalneeds and goals. Many take out large student loans only to drop out of college within two years.

And many students are rarely aware of another path to a well-paying, personally fulfilling career. The Construction IndustryAdvancement Program (CIAP) is designed to help these students by providing them with the preparation they need to become apprentices inthe growing field of construction. In these programs they develop bothphysical skills, technical knowledge and a strong sense of self while earning good pay. After three years, apprentices can qualify for securejobs here and throughout the United States and Canada, earning up to$80,000 per year with great benefits!

Students can only develop their unique potential when they know the options available. By educating your students about what the construction trades offer in apprenticeship programs, you can help themachieve their dreams.

For information, call Lee Pisauro, Educational Representative, at (732) 738-8636.

The Construction Industry Advancement Program of N.J.

Representing the Apprenticeship Programs of:Construction Laborers, The Ironworkers and Operating Engineers

Raritan Center Plaza II, Fieldcrest Ave., P.O. Box 6553, Edison, N.J. 08818-6553

LeLewis wis AdAdvverertising tising AgAgencencyyClient: Job#:

Headline/Description:

Publication: Size:

Insertion Date:

Approved by:

CIAP 3915

ONE SIZE

NJ Principals & Supervisors 1/4 pg V (3.5x5)

March 2006 through Sept 2006

RENEW YOURNJPSA

MEMBERSHIP TODAY!


Bills to Cap Unused Sick Leave Payments Follow Release of SCI Report By Mort Reinhart, Pension Consultant

The recently released report of the State of the New Jersey Commission of Investiga-tion (SCI) has spawned a number of leg-islative bills calling for caps on payments for unused sick leave, one of the areas cited in the SCI report as “questionable” and “inordinate.” The report questioned (1) the

manner in which unused accumulated sick leave payment at retirement was determined and (2) the actual amounts of sick leave payouts when retirement or separation took place.

As a result, bills calling for caps on the amount of unused accumulated sick leave, eliminating any payments for un-used accumulated sick leave to individuals whose incomes are above a certain level, and capping compensation for any “State or local government officer or employee” have already been introduced in the Legislature.

All these bills, except one, were submitted in late March, before the Legislature recessed; a host of others are expect-ed when it reconvenes.

Currently, payment for accumulated sick leave for employ-ees of the State of New Jersey is capped at $15,000. There is no cap on payments to school board employees for their unused sick leave.

Following is a list of the bills that have been introduced and a short description of each one:

A-530, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Panter of Mercer and Middlesex Counties, was pre-filed for intro-duction in the 2006 session. The bill would “prohibit supplemental compensation for unused sick leave for pub-lic school employees with an annual salary o $100,000 or more.” The bill would apply to contracts entered into “on or after the effective date” of the enactment of the legisla-tion.

A-2873, sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, both of Camden County, was filed on March 21, 2006. It would “prohibit supplemental compensation for unused sick leave for public school and municipal employees with annual com-pensation of $100,000 or more...at the time of termination or retirement.” The bill would apply to contracts entered into “on or after the effective date” of the enactment of the legislation.

A-2887, sponsored by Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck of Mercer and Monmouth Counties, was filed on March 21, 2006. Its statement states that “after January 1, 2007, or after the expiration of ...an individual employment contract in effect on the bill’s effective date, no State, local gov-ernment, or school district employee shall be entitled to a payment of supplemental compensation upon retirement for credited accumulated sick leave the equivalent of four

weeks of the employee’s compensation, provided that the employee has at least 10 years of service credited in the retirement system. In no event will a payment of supple-mental compensation ...exceed $10,000.”

A-2896, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll and Assemblyman Richard Merkt, both of Morris County, was introduced March 21, 2006. The bill states that “an officer or employee of a public agency shall not receive: compensation...which exceeds the annual sal-ary established by law for the Governor;” nor shall any individual receive “compensation for unused sick leave.” The bill states that the “provisions of this act shall not be construed as affecting terms of any employment contract in effect of the effective date of this act.”

S-1747, sponsored by Senator Joseph Doria of Hudson County and Senator Shirley Turner of Mercer County, was introduced on March 21, 2006. The bill states that “no school board shall pay supplemental compensation in excess of $15,000 to any employee who holds an admin-istrative position for any accumulated sick leave which is credited to the employee at the time of termination of em-ployment or retirement.” Administrative positions include “superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent of schools, secretary of a board of education, school business administrator... principal, vice-principal...and any other position requiring the supervisory endorsement.” The bill would apply to “contracts entered into on or after the ef-fective date” of the enactment of the legislation.

It should be noted that each piece of legislation contains language that protects contracts in force as of the day of enactment, in essence delaying the imposition of any limitation until that contract ends. Future contracts would have to include any legislated limitation.◄

NJPSA Education Law PrimerThe primer provides NJPSA members with valuable in-formation to assist them in their daily duties. The first ten chapters are available at www.njpsa.org in the Members Only area.

Chapter 1: NCLBChapter 2: Sexual HarassmentChapter 3: DYFSChapter 4: Record KeepingChapter 5: Student DisciplineChapter 6: Observation & EvaluationChapter 7: The First AmendmentChapter 8: IDEAChapter 9: Tenure & SeniorityChapter 10: PERC & Negotiations


INSTITUTE SPEAKERS

• Robert M. Schwartz, Esq. NJPSA Chief Counsel

• Wayne J. Oppito, Esq., NJPSA Counsel• David Nash, Esq., NJPSA Counsel• Paul L.Tractenberg, Esq.

Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor and Alfred C. Clapp Public Service Professor of lLaw at the Rutgers School of Law-Newark

• Brenda C. Liss, Esq. Executive Director, The Institute on Education Law and Policy at Rutgers School of Law-Newark ◄

BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY! The Education Law Institute sells out very quickly.

“The program provides real information that will help you in real situations.”

Yorel Brown – Elementary Principal Pleasantville, Atlantic County

Experience the Summer Rutgers-FEA Education Law and Policy Institute in WildwoodJuly 23-25, 2006 at the Wildwood Convention Center

The FEA and the Institute on Educa-tion Law & Policy at Rutgers School of Law-Newark are offering a special summer session of the highly touted Education Law and Policy In-stitute in response to the overwhelm-ing interest from educators. The Institute will run from Sunday, July 23 through Tuesday, July 25.

Participants can take advantage of a special offer by choosing to par-ticipate in the summer session in

Wildwood, July 23-25, 2006 and, attend six sessions of the Institute beginning October 19, 2006 and through March 15, 2007 at FEA/NJPSA Headquarters.

SESSION TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

• Special Education • Student Expression • Student Discipline • Other Issues, including a discussion on DYFS

-REGISTRATION FORM-

Rutgers-FEA Education Law and Policy Institute in Wildwood - July 23-26, 2006

_______ OPTION 1: $500 -------- July 23-25, 2006 at the Wildwood Convention Center, only

_______ OPTION 2: $1100------ SPECIAL OFFER: Includes 3 sessions July 23-25, 2006 in Wildwood PLUS 6 sessions of the Rutgers-FEA Education Law & Policy Institute Oct. 19, 2006-March 15, 2007 at FEA/NJPSA, Monroe Township

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: FEA, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Twp., NJ 08831-1564 - Phone: 609-860-1200 - Fax: 609-860-6677

Payment: (Circle) Check P.O. Credit Card NJEXCEL member YES____ NO_____

Name______________________________________________ Title________________________________

School_____________________________________________ District_______________________________

Address____________________________________________ Home Phone_________________________________

School Phone________________________________________ Fax_________________________________________

E-mail_____________________________________________ Home e-mail_________________________________

__ I authorize FEA to charge $_____________ on my ____VISA _____MC Acct. #____________________________

Expiration Date__________________________________ Cardholder name___________________________________

Signature_____________________________________________________________


Commencement 2006 By Wayne J. Oppito, Esq., NJPSA Staff Counsel

Issues that arise which complicate senior year are the prom, class trips, graduation, prayer, benedictions and invocations. The following is intended to assist the mem-bers in planning for Commencement.

Proms and Graduation Ceremonies

This is the time of the year when the Commissioner of Ed-ucation receives cases involving students who have been barred from attending the prom, participating in a class trip or walking in a graduation ceremony. The actions of the school district are most times upheld. However, there are occasions when the parents or students prevail.

In a Manchester Twp. BOE matter involving the prom, the school administration determined to bar the date of one of its students from attending the dance based on perceived safety concerns. Although the girl could still attend, she would not be permitted to bring this boy as her date. The date, who attended another high school, had previously attended the high school hosting the prom. His disciplin-ary record while at the host school was the issue. The disciplinary record consisted of numerous tardies and an allegation that he had been under the influence of alcohol while in school. In the alcohol incident, a teacher had smelled alcohol and the student was sent for testing. The result was negative. In the proceeding before an ALJ, the principal indicated that the boy’s mother had previously admitted that her son had been drinking. However, the mother testified that she had never made that statement. The other disciplinary issue concerned an altercation on a school bus after someone allegedly made remarks about the boy’s sister. In presenting this argument, the girl and her date contended that they had spent almost $1,500 in preparation to attend the prom and much of the money was not refundable.

The ALJ found that the record did not support a finding that the boy was a safety risk to those attending the prom. He noted that police officers would be at the prom. Fur-thermore, he stated that he did not believe the boy would want to embarrass his date in any way. The ALJ held that the equities, in terms of money, time, expectation and energy, weighed in the girl’s favor. The ALJ stated that “given the importance of the prom to this generation of students, the equities clearly favor the petitioners, and with security being what it was described to be at the prom, I think any risk is clearly outweighed by the harm imposed upon both petitioners in these proceedings.” In affirm-ing the ALJ’s decision, the Commissioner noted that “it is well-established that prohibition from a prom does not, in and of itself, rise to the necessary level of irreparable harm.” However, the Commissioner went on to indicate that it was “particularly troubling” that the girl found out her date would not be allowed to attend by rumor rather than directly from the administration.

In Woodbury BOE, a student had a lengthy disciplinary history including sexual harassment. As a result, in Janu-ary 2003, the student was placed in an alternate education setting. In a letter from the administration, the student’s mother was informed that the board would evaluate the student’s progress prior to June 10 to determine partici-pation in graduation. In February, the alternative school removed the student from the program because of alleged possession of a controlled, dangerous substance with intent to distribute. The student was subsequently found not guilty in criminal court of that charge. After removal from the alternative school, the district placed the student on homebound instruction which was successfully completed. The superintendent determined not to permit the student to walk at graduation and the mother appealed to the Com-missioner.

At the hearing the superintendent testified that the removal from the alternative school program was the reason for denying participation in graduation. However, the board did not act on this decision, nor was it communicated to the student. The homebound instructor advised the student of the decision. The student testified that he wanted to walk in the ceremony because of his athletic accomplish-ments and because many of his friends had dropped out of school, while he had finished. He also claimed the victim of the sexual harassment would not be at graduation.

The ALJ permitted the student to walk at graduation. He found that the board’s decision was based on the student being terminated from alternative school, however, the criminal charges underlying the termination had been dismissed. The dismissal from the alternative program, standing alone, was not enough to show that the student had engaged in any improper behavior. The ALJ noted that the board did not call any witnesses from the alterna-tive school regarding the incident and there had been no further investigation of the incident. The ALJ determined that the student could attend graduation. The Commis-sioner agreed with the ALJ.

The above cases emphasize that although participation in graduation or the prom are privileges, rather than rights, school administrators must comply with certain due pro-cess requirements before revoking these privileges.

The school district should always notify the student and the parents what the student has allegedly done or did not do. The student and the parents should be given an oppor-tunity to give the student’s side of the story. The punish-ment should be in line with the student handbook and should be consistently applied. There should be an appeal process to the superintendent and eventually, the board of education.



Commencement 2006 continued from previous page

Benedictions and Invocations

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision concerning whether a school district may permit student led prayer at its graduation ceremony. In ACLU v. Black Horse Pike Reg. Bd. of Ed., the Court held that permit-ting the high school senior class to vote on whether or not to conduct a student-led prayer at graduation violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.

In Lee v. Weisman, the lower courts found that inviting the clergy to say a prayer at graduation violated the Lemon Test and was thus, unconstitutional. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts’ holdings that the practice was unconstitutional. The Court analyzed this matter based on: (1) the establishment clause prohibits state intervention in religious activities; (2) the principal and school district are extensions of the state; (3) students could reasonably associate the invocation and benediction as participation in religion, rather than respect for religion; and (4) the state (school district) may not subject students to the dilemma of either participating in or protesting against the program. The Court determined that by virtue of attending gradua-tion, students were compelled to participate in religious ac-tivities. The Court rejected the school district’s argument that attendance at graduation is voluntary and thus there is no compulsion to participate. The Court affirmed the decisions of the lower courts that prayers performed by the clergy at graduation violate the “Establishment Clause.”

The Court in Lee left unanswered the question of stu-dent-led prayer at graduation. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed this issue in Jones v. Clear Creek Independent School District. In Jones, the court upheld the school district’s policy of having a nonsectarian prayer given as an invocation at high school graduation ceremo-nies by student volunteers. Accordingly, the Fifth Circuit ruled that student-initiated prayer is permissible. Based on the Clear Creek decision, the Black Horse Pike Regional Board of Education adopted a policy permitting the senior class to determine whether seniors wanted prayer, a mo-ment of reflection, or nothing at all to be included in their graduation ceremony. A plurality of seniors voted to have a student led prayer.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a senior class student filed an action to enjoin the student led prayer at graduation. The district court denied their request. A two judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and temporarily entered an order stay-ing the prayer and enjoining the Board of Education from conducting a graduation ceremony with prayer, whether it was an invocation, a benediction, etc. The Board appealed. The Third Circuit sitting as a whole, determined that the Board’s policy of allowing the senior class to determine if prayer would be part of class graduation ceremonies was unconstitutional.

The Board of Education’s emphasis on permitting the ma-jority of seniors to decide whether or not to have a prayer was misplaced. The policy allowed 128 seniors wanting oral prayer at their graduation to impose their will upon 140 classmates who wanted different choices or did not want prayer at all. This policy ignored the right of oth-ers to worship in a different manner or in no manner at all. The First Amendment does not allow one’s religious preferences to be compromised in this manner.

The Court reasoned that the board policy could neither broaden the freedom of speech rights of students at gradu-ation nor convert the graduation ceremony into a public forum. High school graduation is not regarded as a public forum, where a multiplicity of views on any topic, secular or religious, may be expressed and exchanged. The Board retained a degree of control over the remaining gradua-tion student speeches. Allowing the seniors to determine the prayer issue was not legitimized as promoting the free speech rights of the students. When the senior class re-ceived control over a segment of graduation, the class was just as constrained by the Constitution as the local Board of Education would be.

The Third Circuit held that the Fifth Circuit’s contrary result, based on the concept that this was a once-in-a-lifetime event, was unpersuasive. The uniqueness of the event does not justify allowing a public school to authorize collective prayer. The significance of the graduation cer-emony weighed heavily in favor of invalidating the prayer because students were denied the option of foregoing the ceremony to avoid compromising their religious scruples. In light of the above:

1. Prayer presented by the clergy at graduation is unconstitutional and not permissible.

2. Student-initiated prayer at graduation in New Jersey is not permissible, as a result of the decision in Black Horse Pike Regional.

3. In Lee, the Supreme Court left no doubt that it remains unconstitutional to have a “moment of silence” offered by the clergy at graduation. It is not decided as to whether a student-initiated moment of silence at graduation is permissible.

4. Left unanswered is the permissibility of baccalaureate ceremonies for graduating public school students. Since attendance at these ceremonies is strictly optional, there might not be the same expectation of attendance, which would apply, to graduation itself. However, public school administrators are advised to avoid school sponsorship of what clearly is a religious ceremony. It is strongly recommended that the public schools not sponsor baccalaureates. It is the better choice to hold baccalaureates away from school property with sponsorship by some outside organization who can invite the graduating class.◄


34th Special Education Law Conference: New “IDEA”=Issues Designated for

Explanation and Answers

Friday, May 12, 2006

at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA College of Education, Mountaintop Campus, Iacocca Hall,

111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015

This one-day program will include sessions on top changes in IDEA; Over and Under Identification; Juvenile Justice, Special Litigation; Gaskin; RTI; Burden of Proof; Settle-ments; Scientifically Based Research; School Phobic or Ill Children: Resolving Issues of Child Find, Truanc and Home Bound Education; and; High Objective Uniform Standards of Evaluation (HOUSSE) programs in PA and NJ; and a Mock Due Process Hearing.

This workship is designed for all school leaders, educators and other who deal with special education:

Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, I.U. Directors, Principals, Assistant Principals, Pupil Personnel Direc-tors, Special Education and Special Education Directors, Teacher-Leaders, Teachers, Counselors, School Psycholo-gists, Parent Attorneys, School Attorneys, Private Schools, Mental Health Agencies, Caseworkers, Social Workers, Administrators of Private Schools for Students with Dis-abilities, Hearing Officers, and Appeals Panel Members

COST: $145 per person.

CONTACT: Visit http://www.lehigh.edu/specialseminars/about.shtml for more information. You can also call Theresa Freeman, Special Programs Coordinator, 610-758 6563, or e-mail to [email protected]. ◄

Don’t Miss This Summer’s “Hands On–Minds On” NJ ELITE Technology Conference!July 26-28, Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood

Attend this year’s conference and you will have the unique opportunity to interact with nationally respected speakers and work closely with up-to-date educational technology facilitators. Dr. Jason Ohler is this year’s keynote speaker. He will share an exciting presentation, “Living, Learn-ing and Having Fun in the Digital Age,” with Wildwood participants. Ohler is featured in the Janu-ary issue of ASCD’s Educational Leadership.

Attendees at Wildwood 2006 will learn to use multimedia tools to communicate their own leadership message that supports increased student academic achievement. Break-out sessions include:

• Tell the Story, Sell the Glory • Putting it All Together through Digital Storytelling • Blogging, not Blah–Blah-Blahging • Mastering Your iPod • Podcasting in Education • Elements of a Digital Video • Mastering Multimedia • Mobile Learning Labs on a Roll • Reaching All Learners

Every attendee will leave Wildwood with today’s hottest technology, an iPod! be eligible for our Digital Drawing of the latest technology innovations. ◄ Visit http://www.njelite.org to register.

Ohler

Join us to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of NJ Principals and Supervisors Association!

FEA/NJPSA/NJASCD FALL CONVENTION 25 Years of Service: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future

November 8-10, 2006, Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City

Keynote Speaker

GENE CARTER Executive Director of the

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Keynote Speaker

DR. DOUGLAS REEVES Founder of the Center

for Performance Assessment

This 25th Anniversary celebration will feature innovative programs on leadership and instruction with some of the country’s leading thinkers on education and special entertainment!

Be sure to join this special celebration. You can register now using the form on page 14. More information will be available soon at www.njpsa.org.


-2006 FEA-NJPSA-NJASCD Fall Convention Registration- 25 Years of Service: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future

NOVEMBER 8, 9, 10, 2006, Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJPLEASE TYPE OR PRINT ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED DATE___________________

Room confirmation will be forwarded directly by the hotel to the address you provide.

PLEASE CHECK ONE: � NJASCD member � NJPSA Member � NJASCD & NJPSA member

CONVENTION REGISTRATION

$150 Includes all workshops & educational exhibits � $ 150 – INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION� $ 50 – SPOUSE/PARTNER REGISTRATION TOTAL $ ____________

First Name/M.I./Last Name Spouse’s Name

School Name

School Address (street/city/state/zip)

School Phone Ext. Home Phone FAX

E-MAIL Position/Title

County School District

Home Address (street/city/state/zip)

HOTEL PACKAGE PLANS * Includes hotel, meals and convention gift - Does not include registration fee

TWO NIGHT HOTEL: Wednesday, November 8 Thursday, November 9 � $ 455 - SINGLE � $ 570 - DOUBLE TOTAL $ ____________

ONE NIGHT HOTEL: Wednesday, November 8 � $ 275 - SINGLE � $ 365 - DOUBLE TOTAL $ ____________

ONE NIGHT HOTEL: Thursday, November 9 � $ 225 - SINGLE � $ 260 - DOUBLE TOTAL $ ____________

* NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR HOTEL PACKAGE PLANS

MEALS ONLY PLAN:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8:Includes President’s Reception & Dinner

� $75 RECEPTION & DINNER per person TOTAL $ ____________

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9:Keynote Luncheon: 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (You MUST reserve a seat)

� $30 KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: # OF PEOPLE: ______ (Reservation required for seating)

� $50 NJEXCEL REGISTRATION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10:Celebration Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. (You MUST reserve a seat)

� FREE -CELEBRATION BREAKFAST: # OF PEOPLE: ______ (Reservation required for seating)

Meal tickets and name badges will be issued upon registration check-in. TOTAL COSTS $ ____________

PAYMENT: Make all checks payable to FEA (Foundation for Educational Administration)

� Personal Check # � Purchase Order # � Board Check #

-CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION- � VISA � MASTERCARD Expiration Date

Account # Cardholder Name (print) SignatureALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 7, 2006

FULL PAYMENT, whether by check or purchase order, MUST accompany reservation form or reservation is not guaranteed.

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED$__________

Please return completed form with appropriate payment to: FEA, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Township, NJ 08831-1564 Phone: 609-860-1200 Fax: 609-860-2999 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.njpsa.org

Certificates for Professional Development will be available at the end of each session.


Your school. Your community. Your future.

Whatever your reason, you can make a differ-ence by entering the Hope for Education Essay Contest. Your words can help earn your nomi-nated school the Grand Prize of $200,000 of Samsung electronics and Microsoft educational software.

Samsung’s Hope for Education is a distinctive educational philanthropy program designed to better educate U.S. elementary, middle and high schools through the delivery of new digital technologies and software. Over the past two years, with help from Microsoft and Tony Danza, the program has donated over $3 million in technology and software to schools in need.

This year, Samsung and Microsoft plan on donating an additional $2 million through an essay contest and School Makeovers on the Tony Danza Show with a grand prize of $200,000 worth of Samsung electronics and Microsoft

Hope for Education Contest: Earn up to $200,000 of Samsung and Microsoft Products

software given to a nominated school. The School Makeover on The Tony Danza Show is another opportunity to give a deserving school a much needed makeover.

Grand Prize: The school nominated by the individ-ual who submits the winning essay will receive the grand prize of $100,000 of Samsung Products and $100,000 Microsoft® Educational software.

First Place Prize: The schools nominated by the individuals who submit the twenty runner-up essays will each receive the First Place prize of $30,000 of Samsung Products and $30,000 of Microsoft® Educational software.

Individual Prize: Every individual who is the author of a winning essay will receive their own Samsung Helix XM Ready MP3 Player (ERV $399.00).

Visit www.hopeforeducation.com for additional informa-tion and to enter the context.◄

Verizon New Jersey Sponsors FEA’s “Secretaries And School Support Staff Workshop & Recognition Luncheon”

NJPSA and FEA held its “Secretaries and School Sup-port Staff Workshop and Recognition Luncheon” on April 24. Verizon New Jersey sponsored a major portion of the event, which was attended by school administrative sup-port staff throughout New Jersey in recognition of Secre-taries Day.

The workshop included presentations covering a wide range of topics including how to identify personality styles and deal with difficult people, the role of technology in schools, school law and crisis situations.

Mark Bocchieri, Director of External Affairs for Verizon New Jersey made a presentation about Access New Jersey, a technological resource which offers schools an advanced telecommunications system for numerous educational ef-forts. Jennifer Fritche, Program Manager for MarcoPolo made a presentation regarding MarcoPolo, an initiative that provides high quality internet content and professional development to teachers and students.

“We are grateful to Verizon New Jersey for their support in sponsoring a large portion of this special day,” said JoAnn D. Bartoletti, Executive Director of NJPSA. “It was their generosity that enabled us to salute our school secretaries and administrative support staff for their hard work all year round.”

Verizon New Jersey is a leader in providing communica-tions services and has made a significant investment in New Jersey’s educational system. Verizon New Jersey has enabled schools to better communicate and improve how students learn.

Verizon New Jersey was the first in the nation to deliver broadband technology to schools and instituted Access New Jersey. Access New Jersey provides public and non–public K–12 schools and public libraries located within Verizon’s territory, an advanced telecommunications network for virtual classroom learning, shared classrooms, electronic field trips, staff development and training, con-ferences and school–to–home connections. Access New Jersey represents an investment of more than $150 million by Verizon New Jersey to New Jersey Schools and Public Libraries.

Following the workshop, administrative school support staff was treated to a special luncheon at Forsgate Coun-try Club. Musical entertainment was provided by Swamp Queen Productions.◄

Mark Bocchieri (L), Director of External Affairs, Verizon NJ and Jennifer Fritche (R), Program Manager, Marco Polo pose with support staff from Somerville H.S.


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

“Becoming a part of the SetonHall family has had a positiveeffect on my life personally andprofessionally. The professorsare extremely knowledgeableand talented. The class scheduleis completely prearranged forthe two-year program. Withadvance planning, I have beenable to travel to Seton Hall atvery reasonable rates. I feelvery fortunate to have beenpart of Seton Hall's ExecutiveEd.D. Program.”

Duncan KlussmannAsst. Superintendent, SBISDHouston, TexasGraduated May 2004Appointed Superintendent Dec. 04

College of Education and Human Services 1-800-313-9833For more information e-mail: [email protected] or go to: education.shu.edu/execedd

400 South Orange Ave.,South Orange, NJ 07079

www.shu.edu

Seton Hall University Offers a Fast Track to a Traditional Ed.D.

Seton Hall University Offers a Fast Track to a Traditional Ed.D.

Our accelerated Ed.D. programallows you to complete your doctoralstudies in just 10 weekends and twofour-week summer sessions over atwo-year period.

This rigorous program is designedexclusively for K-12 educationadministrators who need a flexibleschedule that will not interfere withcareer responsibilities. Our cohortapproach builds on shared experi-ences and the expertise of seasonedfaculty and nationally recognizedauthorities in the educational field.

Now accepting applications for the April 2007 cohort

Financial aid loans cover the entireprogram cost, regardless of financialneed.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

news may06 - NJPSAnjpsa.org/.../njpsa_today/2006/news_may_2006.pdf · 2006 Kindest School in New...

Documents

Transcript of news may06 - NJPSAnjpsa.org/.../njpsa_today/2006/news_may_2006.pdf · 2006 Kindest School in New...