MEMORANDUM

Each department director provided an update on activities that have taken place since the April

30, 2020 Executive Committee meeting posting. Time will be provided at our September 16,

2020 meeting for any questions or clarification.

LSF:dm

Attachment

TO: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

FROM: DR. LAWRENCE S. FEINSOD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

SUBJECT: DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES

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Departmental Reports

To NJSBA Executive Committee

September 16, 2020

Business Development

The Business Development Department’s report begins on page 12.

Communications Special Reports: Education during the Pandemic

The Communications Department has been developing a series of special reports on the issues facing school

districts during the pandemic. Since May, NJSBA has released two of the reports.

• On May 20, NJSBA issued “Searching for a ‘New Normal’ in New Jersey’s Public Schools,” which

looked at prospective challenges involved in restarting school. Topics included health and safety

procedures, students’ mental and emotional well-being, curriculum/assessment, remote instruction, and

budgeting issues.

• On August 31, we issued the second special report, “Choosing the Best Road Back for Our Children,”

which included an advocacy agenda to help schools provide education during the pandemic. The report

focused on the challenges school districts faced over the summer as they developed their plans to restart

the educational process. In addition, it included summaries of various strategies under consideration by

local school districts.

We distributed both reports to the Governor’s Office, the Legislative leadership, the Commissioner and State

Board of Education and news media statewide. The reports were the subjects of analyses in NJ Spotlight, and

received coverage through NJ 101.5, nj.com, and other media outlets.

A third special report, focusing on the digital divide, will be released this month.

Publications

Because of the pace of COVID-related educational developments and our members’ need for up-to-date

information, the Communications Department changed the traditional School Board Notes summer

publication schedule. We continued to issue the news report each week, rather than following the usual

summer practice of publishing every other week.

School Leader placed a strong focus on the pandemic and COVID-related issues.

• The May/June issue highlighted remote instruction, security procedures post-pandemic, virtual meetings,

and employee leave during the public health emergency.

• The July/August edition included a photo essay, “Scenes from a COVID-19 Spring,” and articles on the

future of school sports, legal considerations involved in school reopening, and online school board

meetings.

• For September/October, School Leader will feature a special section on social-emotional learning,

including an article co-authored by Dr. Maurice Elias of Rutgers and Bob Morrison, head of ArtsEdNJ,

on the importance of arts education to students’ emotional health. The magazine will also include a

preview of Workshop 2020.

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

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Special Projects/Editorial, Graphics, Website Support

We received over 50 entries into the 2020 School Leader Award, which this year focused on educational

programming during the pandemic. The School Board Member of the Year program has received 11

nominations. Judging will be conducted by our colleagues at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Our Graphics Unit developed artwork and design support for Virtual Workshop 2020, the special Human

Resources section of the website, STEAM Tank, program books used in various training activities, and

marketing materials.

Media Relations

We received a greater-than-usual number of media inquiries during the summer, nearly all involved the

pandemic and school reopening plans.

Specific topics of inquiry included the following: substitute teacher shortages; NJSBA’s special reports on

education during the pandemic; the legality of teacher strikes (in protest over in-person school reopening

plans); state purchasing of PPE and other COVID-related supplies; staff childcare; statewide progress on

district reopening plans; teacher retirements; sanitizing/maintenance procedures; parental opt-out from in-

person instruction; special education guidance; school board meetings during the pandemic; staff layoffs; and

school security procedures during the pandemic.

Media contacting NJSBA during this period included the following: Star-Ledger editorial board; Asbury

Park Press; Philadelphia Inquirer; nj.com; NJ Spotlight; Record; Jersey Journal; NJ 101.5; NJTV; Daily

Journal; Press of Atlantic City; Associated Press; Politico NJ; NPR; New Jersey Herald; Chalkbeat; and the

Tap Into chain.

News released posted included the following: “NJSBA ‘Education Matters’: Governor Discusses School

Reopening, Commends Work of Local Boards”; “NJSBA Congratulates New Jersey’s County Teachers of

the Year”; “NJSBA on Governor’s Budget Address: Additional Federal Funding Needed for Education

During Pandemic”; “NJSBA Calls for Statutory, Regulatory Change as Schools Plan Reopening”; “Closing

the Digital Divide Is Essential to Effective Learning – NJSBA”; “Superintendent Evaluation Deadline

Extended to July 31”; “NJSBA and N.J. Department of Education Launch Sustainable Jersey Digital Schools

Program”; “Combating Racism and Discrimination: A Statement from NJSBA”; “Governor Murphy

Proclaims May 10-16 as Special Education Week in N.J.”; and “NJSBA Praises Murphy on School Closure

Decision”.

County Activities/Member Engagement

County Activities

Since the pandemic hit, it has been virtual county meeting after virtual county meeting. It seems that there

was no summer break. Interestingly enough, it seems that we have some new members attending the county

meetings. Overall, the attendance is good—some higher than the in-person meetings, and some smaller.

Members enjoy the sharing and networking that the county meetings provide.

In addition, the county leaders have been meeting every two weeks since the shutdown began, and it seems

to be very popular. They love staying in touch, and we have been able to provide excellent guest speakers as

well. Plus, it adds a personal touch.

Blogtalkradio/Education Matters

There have too many podcasts and video interviews to list. At first, it started with podcasts on the closing of

schools, then we shifted to the legal issues surrounding the pandemic with programs featuring law firms that

are business partners.

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As for the videos, we have focused on interviewing educators about the reopening of schools but will now

emphasize what is happening after the reopening. Obviously, the interview with the governor garnered the

most publicity, but the other programs were certainly helpful to our members as well.

Robin Kampf, our media production specialist, should be commended for her creativity and hard work on

video programs about the Virtual Workshop video and the County Teachers of the Year.

Parent Outreach

Ray Pinney as a participant in a panel discussion on the reopening of our schools at the NJPTA Virtual

Conference.

Field Services

As I write this, almost all NJSBA staff members have been working from home for exactly six months – an

unprecedented event. This pandemic has essentially turned our lives upside down with no specific end in

sight. It has foisted challenges on us as we continue to serve our members. I am very happy to report that all

of Field Services remains healthy and safe.

When we closed headquarters on March 13, we began a very steep learning curve regarding technology and

working virtually with our board members. It was gratifying to see that many, many board members

immediately called their FSRs to ask for assistance and guidance. As a department that serves as the face of

NJSBA for most board members, we felt it was our duty to remain calm and the best source for all

information. Larry promoted this in all conversations and meetings he had with us. It was our mission to

become the go-to folks for all board information and business, and for that I would give us an A+.

• Field Services created and delivered a weekly webinar 16 times this summer. All webinars were on

aspects of board governance as well as information on current events regarding the pandemic and

schools. We found that with everyone at home and working remotely, board members sincerely

appreciated the opportunities to see other people—even virtually. We also assisted other departments as

need arose and served on some critical committees for the Association. Everyone adapted to the virtual

world in a short time – mainly because we needed to, and we also had the technology in place for such

use. Field Services then interacted with board members teaching them how to run board meetings

virtually at the same time as performing all board duties according to legal requirements. It was a very

busy, sometimes, very frustrating time. Field Services had numerous TEAM meetings to share and

collaborate. There were so many questions from board members that one FSR wrote a Code of Conduct

for virtual meetings and Larry distributed it through various venues.

• 2019-2020 was the first evaluation season in which all boards had to use the new CSA Evaluation system

that Field Services put in place a year ago. It was new to many boards, and we were consumed with

assisting boards so they could complete their CSA Evaluation in time to meet the legal requirements. It is

an improvement over the prior process and saves significant time, money, paper, and gas.

• Field Services continued with our tradition of having Leadership programs in the winter and summer. By

necessity, the Leadership Weekend scheduled for this spring was postponed until next year, and we felt

that just added to the importance of maintaining our other programs and services. The summer leadership

program was presented on a virtual basis in August to an audience of more than 100. The title was

“Leadership in Uncertain Times.”

• We all participated in the county meetings held over the summer in our respective counties – I believe

they were a terrific success. We do not normally have county meetings during the summer, but it was

decided that this year would be the exception. All those I attended were filled with grateful board

members and staff as we all tried to wend our way through the “unknowables” of the pandemic. Most

Executive County Superintendents attended the county meetings and were able to answer questions and

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

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give up-to-date information. I know they appreciated having a venue to stay connected to their boards –

another plus for NJSBA.

• Another successful innovation by Field Services during the last six months was a new process for

facilitating superintendent searches. NJSBA has contracted with the Ohio School Boards Association to

partner with them and a number of other states, to accomplish most tasks online instead of in person.

Feedback from boards has been very positive – the one aspect that boards like the most is the ability to

read all application materials online at home. I am conducting the fourth superintendent search using this

new process and all agree it is a vast improvement. Ironically, being able to work online in this regard

could not have come at a better time! It should be noted that this new process also saves time, money,

paper, and gas.

• Superintendent searches are picking up after a brief hiatus at the beginning of the pandemic, and so far

we are meeting our budget goals. Boards are also ready to resume their strategic planning and /or are

asking to begin one. Since strategic plans call for breaking participants into groups for discussion, we are

in the process of coming up with a comparable virtual way to achieve the same success.

• We are in the process of creating and filming programs to be used in our booth at Workshop - some in-

person workshops and materials need to be redone to fit the needs of the virtual viewer. We are looking

forward to a successful fall.

• All of the above has been in addition to the regular completion of the FSRs jobs, which experienced a

major increase during the last six months. We are down one FSR, and yet all have worked together to see

that all boards are served. The FSRs have been flexible, collaborative, energetic, hardworking, and

accommodating. I am so very proud of them!

• We have added a support person to our staff who has been an enormous help as our liaison in Trenton.

She is to be complimented for her professionalism, approachability, and can-do attitude.

So, that was the last six months – we are eager to see what the next six months will bring. Thank you for

your support.

Finance

2019-2020 Financial Results

• Pre-audit results indicate that NJSBA will post a cash profit for the year ended June 30, 2020. (Cash

profit = before the Pension & Other Post-Employment Benefits obligations/)

o Workshop 2019’s profits exceeded the budgeted amount and the financial performance of all

previous Workshops. Each major revenue source (registrations, commercial exhibitors, and

sponsorships) exceeded the budget.

o Revenues from Superintendent Searches exceeded budget by $19K.

o Charter school memberships exceeded budget by $21K.

o TEC Program revenues exceeded their target by $71K.

o NJSBA’s annual, state-mandated employer payment obligation to the PERS (Public Employees’

Retirement System) of $673K is $119K less than budget.

o Salaries & health care benefits were less than budget as a result of several extended vacancies.

o We did not have to use any of our $25K appropriation for outside legal services.

o The financial impact of postponement & cancellation of our Spring training programs

was offset by lower travel and other expenses.

• Our auditors will be performing a remote audit.

• A special Audit Committee meeting has been scheduled for November 10 to review the draft

audit report. This timing will enable the auditing firm to present the draft audit report to the

Board of Directors at the November meeting, as regularly scheduled.

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

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Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021 Budget

• As you may recall, we adjusted our 2020-2021 budget to acknowledge that the conversion to

a virtual Workshop is expected to have a negative financial impact.

• To offset this negative impact, expenses were reduced (salaries, travel, IT consulting &

outside legal services) and additional use of the free balance was approved.

• Despite this financial setback, we are still confident that we can deliver on our budget

commitment.

General Counsel

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

Cut off for resolutions is September 17, 2020. Likely the DA scheduled for November 21 will be

remote, as it was in June.

MANDATED TRAINING

Updating list of the charter trustees who did not complete training by July 1.

SEHBC

Rates were approved, which were lower due to PL 2020 C 44.

ACES

Rebid electric and gas to replace the supplier that is leaving the energy business. Gabel Associates went

out for new bid, due June 17.

SCHOOL REOPENING

Awaiting approval of the state budget and amount of aid slated for expenses for districts to reopen amid

the pandemic. Advocacy on behalf of our members includes potential of filing an underfunded

complaint before the State Council on Local Mandates.

Governmental Relations

“Pandemic Advocacy Agenda” The NJSBA’s latest report on education during the pandemic, “Choosing

the Best ‘Road Back’ for Our Children,” includes a “Pandemic Advocacy Agenda”. This agenda seeks

various forms of financial relief and flexibility, as well as changes in changes in statute and regulation, that

will facilitate the reopening and operation of school districts during the pandemic. The full report has been

shared with the entire State Legislature and key staff members.

LEGISLATURE

COVID-Related Enactments: The Legislature has approved several measures in direct response to the

pandemic that affect public school districts. Those signed into law by the governor include:

• Bridge Year Pilot P.L.2020, c.41 (S-2383/A-4142)

Requires Commissioner of Education to establish three-year "Bridge Year Pilot Program" for certain

students who were impacted by public health state of emergency caused by coronavirus disease 2019.

• Student Athlete Physical Exam Requirement Delay P.L.2020 c.63 (S-2518/A-4295)

Delays physical examination requirement for certain student-athletes who participate in school-

sponsored athletic activities during fall athletic season of 2020-2021 school year.

• Tax Payment Delay P.L.2020, c.34 (A-3969/S-2392)

Allows extension of certain local government timeframes; allows local governments to accept certain

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payments; allows local governments to conduct certain meetings remotely; adjusts certain property tax

distribution and notice requirements.

• Electronic Petitions P.L.2020, c.55 (A-4037/S-2433)

Requires electronic signature and submission process for all candidate, recall, initiative, and referendum

petitions for remaining 2020 elections and thereafter during COVID-19 emergency.

• Graduation Insurance Coverage P.L.2020, c.56 (A-4227/S-2558)

Ensures insurance coverage for people attending school graduation exercises in July and August of 2020.

State Budget-Related Enactments: The Legislature and Governor have also approved the following

measures aimed at helping the state address the financial crisis brought on by COVID-19:

• 3-Month “Mini-Budget” P.L.2020, c.43 (A-3/S-20)

In the spring, the Legislature and governor agreed to extend the current fiscal year by three months and

reduce fiscal year 2021 to nine months. This legislation funds the state from July through September

2020.

• "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" P.L.2020, c.60 (A-4175/S-2697)

This law authorizes the state to borrow up to $9.9 billion to address the state fiscal crisis created by

revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to the approval of a committee of four

lawmakers. Following a challenge by State Republicans, the NJ Supreme Court upheld the

constitutionality of the law and found that COVID-19 meets the level of “disaster” required by the state

constitution to permit such borrowing.

School Employee Health Benefits Reform: On June 29, the Legislature gave final approval to a “Chapter

78 relief” bill (P.L.2020, c.44) intended to save school districts, their employees and taxpayers hundreds of

millions of dollars by overhauling the health care plans offered to school employees. The bill would require

the creation of lower–cost health plans while shifting employees to a salary-based, premium–sharing

schedule, with the goal of reducing costs for both staff and boards of education. The Governor signed the bill

into law on July 1st. The legislation was the culmination of a compromise between Senate President

Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, Governor Murphy and the NJEA.

Job Protection Measures Now Law

• Tenure-Like Protections for Support Staff P.L.2020, c.66 (S-993/A-691)

On Thursday, Aug. 13, Gov. Phil Murphy approved a bill that would establish tenure-like protection for

school district support staff. The legislation will subject a board of education’s personnel decisions to

challenges through binding arbitration. The NJSBA has long opposed the measure, which was strongly

backed by the NJEA.

• Anti-Subcontracting (S-2303/A-4140) – On Governor’s Desk as of 9/4/20

On Thursday, August 27, the New Jersey Senate gave final legislative passage to another NJEA

legislative priority, that will severely inhibit a board of education’s ability to subcontract out for various

services. The measure concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and

county colleges and places several burdensome and expensive hurdles in the way of districts seeking to

outsource non-instructional programs and services. Governor Murphy pledged to sign the bill before it

reached his desk. NJSBA led a coalition of education, government and business organizations that

opposed the bill.

Other Noteworthy Pending Legislation

• QSAC Flexibility (A-4006/S-2404) – On Governor’s Desk as of 9/4/20

This bill postpones the comprehensive review of certain school districts under the New Jersey Quality

Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) until the 2021-2022 school year. Under the bill, the

comprehensive review of certain districts would be postponed to allow school districts and the NJDOE to

focus additional resources on addressing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Cooperative Purchasing of COVID-19 Related Goods (A-4461/S-2698)

Requires the state to enter into contracts and coordinate with certain cooperative purchasing systems to

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assist public schools (i.e., school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools) and county colleges

in the purchase of COVID-19 related goods and services. NJSBA supports the bill. A-4461 has passed

the full Assembly, while its Senate counterpart was approved by the Senate Education Committee and is

now pending the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

FY2021 Budget: On August 25th, Governor Murphy unveiled his proposal for the abbreviated nine-month

Fiscal Year 2021 that will run from October 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The overall amount of state school aid

will remain flat for FY2021 compared to FY2020. However, the budget continues implementation of “S-2”

by reallocating state financial assistance from districts deemed overfunded under the school funding formula

to underfunded districts.

The governor also announced that he plans to direct $100 million from the state’s share of federal

coronavirus relief (CARES Act) funds to assist school districts in meeting health and safety standards

required for reopening. Also included in the budget proposal is $60 million in federal aid to address the

digital divide and provide necessary computer devices for 230,000 New Jersey students who lack digital

access.

The Legislature is now reviewing the governor’s proposal and will have to adopt an Appropriations Act by

then end of September. Due to the pandemic, no in-person public testimony on the proposed budget was

permitted. The NJSBA has submitted written testimony to both the Senate and Assembly budget

committees.

FEDERAL

As of the end of August, the much-anticipated next round of federal stimulus legislation continued to stall in

Washington, but negotiations were ongoing. Governor Murphy has continued his call for direct relief to state

and local governments to help them cope with the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic. The

NJSBA has joined in that call.

Human Resources

Facilities and Mailroom

• Cut grass on front lawn;

• Clean parking lot as needed ;

• Contracted with Pump Express to repair leaking pump;

• Maintain kitchen and bathroom supplies when needed ;

• Inspect all mechanical components such as HVAC and water pumps etc.;

• Sort and prepare incoming and outgoing mail via USPS;

• Check Cobalt for Orders to be packaged and shipped;

• Printed Legislative Directories for the Government Relations Department;

• Fabricated plexiglass shield and installed in reception area;

• Relocated the security guard and cameras to maintain a safe distance from receptionist;

• Completed county activity awards, i.e., certificates, pins, mailing, etc.;

• Install social distance tape lines at all workstations on 2nd and 3rd floor

• Complete assembly of MBM and CBL plaques (31)

• Cleaned HVAC outdoor screens on intake side.

• Start water treatment pump for cooling tower.

• WebEx meeting regarding new lease for Pitney Bowes Postage Meter in mailroom

• Print labels and books for DA to mail on 6/12/20

• Fixed third floor sink at coffee bar

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• Repaired first floor water fountain (compressor)

• Scheduled Robaire to repair AC in main server room

• Research new hand sanitizer machine (replace current free-standing dispensers)

• Mailed AMPSA letters

• Print Charter School cards

• Processed School Board Notes mailing all summer

• Entered SREC Assets generated by solar panels and created monthly SREC invoice for payment

• Clean roof drains and change lights outside

• Honeywell changed filters for HVAC and assessed ductwork for UV Lighting install to kill viruses;

• Tree removal, work completed on Aug. 28;

• Repair front door access controller;

• Adjust HVAC RUN Schedule for Monday-Friday;

• Schedule SA Comunale and Fire Control for annual inspections;

• Power wash in front of employee door.

Human Resources & Support Services

• Processed mail; invoices, purchase orders, bills and checks;

• Emailed W-9s;

• Updated mailroom charges on spreadsheet. Participate in VOIP options with the NJSBA tech team;

• Conducted department meetings;

• Approved timecards on a biweekly basis for payroll processing;

• Review, approve and transmit payroll on a biweekly basis;

• Participate in pandemic planning webinars to increase knowledge;

• Develop PowerPoint for Executive Director on NJSBA opening post pandemic;

• Participate in NJSBA tech team weekly call with Ocellus Technology to discuss server consolidation,

storage of graphics and legal/labor relations;

• Meet with team member, Bill Cobb to relocate the security guard and computer/camera and install

“sneeze screen” at receptionist desk (project completed);

• Met with Optimum HQ software regarding employee self-health assessment mobile app;

• Prepared dues letters and formatted Excel spreadsheet for dues letter mail merge;

• Drafted “Return to Building” power point for all staff;

• Update salary spreadsheet for 2020-2021;

• Participated in Delegate Assembly WebEx planning meeting;

• Schedule employee evaluation meetings with my staff

• Handle personnel matters

• Approve purchase orders and invoices;

• Telephone calls from staff /answer questions;

• Communicate with department staff daily;

• Prepare PowerPoint presentations for general staff meetings held May, June, July and August;

• Initiate transfer of Office Team temporary to full-time employees in field services;

• Update employee insurance spreadsheet for payroll based on salary increases;

• Issue all staff email regarding 4-day workweek and time card completion as well as policy

information on carryover vacation;

• Conducted search for director of Government Relations;

• Updated salary history and insurance premiums;

• Merge and stuffed charter school dues letters;

• Prepare salary increase letters and emailed to staff.

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Information Technology

Network & Servers

• Continuously assisting staff members as they work remotely. Tasks include installing and

configuring remote applications such as NetExtender and Remote Desktop, troubleshooting

connection issues, accessing cloud resources such as email, SharePoint, AMS (Cobalt), etc.

• Set up VOIP trial phone set for each task force team member who participated a test run.

• Finalized the new server specifications and configuration requirements for the on-premises storage

and local computing requirement as part of NJSBA Azure cloud migration. Issued the purchase order

to SHI for the acquisition of the server.

AMS – Cobalt Dynamics

• Assisting board members with their login to Canvas online training issues.

• Completed dues and membership renewal process on Cobalt. Dues include districts and charters,

membership renewals include PAA, PERC Index, AMPSA, ESC and Negotiations Advisor.

• Created invoices in bulk for dues and membership notifications.

• Assisted finance department on invoices, balances, and GL entries.

• Assisted trouble shooting Cobalt-Canvas integration issues.

• Explored Cobalt (Microsoft Dynamics 365) -Outlook plugin usage for staff (primarily Call Center

and FSRs)

Software Applications

• Briefed Dr. Feinsod on task force team’s recommendation on Great Plains upgrade and migration.

• Assisting field services reps with CSA/Self Evaluation questions from districts.

• Scoped Migrated board self-evaluation reports and CSA evaluation database from Personify server to

Microsoft Azure server.

• Assisting board members with access and use of online Governance trainings.

2020 Workshop

• Developed workshop order creation API to create corresponding order and invoice records in Cobalt

• Created workshop attendee registration report

• Monitoring workshop attendee orders and badge registration process

Legal & Labor Relations Services

I. Direct/Onsite Dues-Based Services

a. Salary Guides – L/R staff received 17 additional Salary Guide review requests for the above

period. For the 2019-20 fiscal year; we had a total of 58 requests; 57 have been completed to

date. For the beginning two months of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, we have received 5 salary

guide requests and 4 have been completed.

b. Contract Analysis – L/R Staff received 11 new requests to dates above for contract analyses.

The current total received is (2019/2020 = 77) (2020/2021 = 12) contracts. To date, 58 have

been completed.

c. Consultation Services - For the time in question, Legal and L/R have responded to more than

419 telephone and email requests for information. Staff members were able to provide

information pertinent to the resolution of legal and labor relations matters.

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II. Fee-Based Services

a. Department staff continue to provide direct negotiations services to one public district and one

charter school. Negotiations in both have been conducted primarily through WebEx meetings due

to the pandemic. However, because the charter school is involved in its first collective

negotiations agreement, progress is slow.

b. Salary Guides/Negotiations - In addition to the dues-based salary guides noted above, L/R staff

provided fee-based billable services to several districts. The 2019-2020 fiscal year ended with

$10,533.33 in total billing. The current fiscal year 2020-2021 total billing is $300.00.

III. Training and Programming

a. Legal and L/R staff participated in 13 training programs throughout the state. While several

involved governance training, department staff made huge efforts to digest the flood of

information coming out of state and federal agencies pertaining to the pandemic and were able to

create several topical webinars for board members, administrators, and the public.

IV. Internal Services

a. PAA – Due to the pandemic, staff members concluded with the last meeting on April 11, 2019 of

the Personnel Administrators Association. The final PAA meeting of the year was cancelled, but

we have increased our outreach to members through phone calls, emails, and WebEx

presentations. The WebEx presentations have been especially well received.

b. Publications - Departmental services to the Association during this period include the publication

of several articles for School Board Notes and an article for School Leader. These publications

included information related to the details of the pandemic response and changes to both state

and federal law. The Title IX revisions were especially problematic due to eh substantial changes

in the regulations.

c. Webinars - Department members also participated in several on-line events to share a wealth

information pertaining to the Covid-19 closures and detailed responses to numerous questions

pertaining to executive orders, new state and federal statutes, and regulations.

d. The Department successfully conducted the annual Spring School Law Forum in a virtual format.

The program was well attended and received numerous compliments being that it was the first

large WebEx program the department presented.

Training & Professional Development/Educator- in-Residence

Mandated Training Opportunities

• Although the second NBMO weekend was not held, we developed a 3-part Governance 1 series

with each session having 2 hours. The six hours of professional learning mirror the full day Gov

1, but with the addition of a session on student learning/achievement. Gov 1 Cohorts:

o #1 Cohort – 3-part series- 70 attendees

o #2 Cohort – Started 8/24- 30 attendees

o #3 Cohort – Begins 9/25

NJSBA Online University

• In collaboration with Rutgers developed help tutorials for the Call Center

o Created a Census walk-through screen capture.

• SEL course in development for fall release

• Intro to Salary Guides is “up and running.”

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• Digital Badges that permit members to share the distinctions on social media (Linked In,

Facebook, etc.) are being uploaded and tested; integration into our current system is pending.

Health & Wellness Committee

The Health & Wellness Committee met virtually in late August with the goal of providing resources to

boards on both re-opening in a pandemic.

Human Trafficking

Due to the pandemic, the work of this task force transitioned to virtual collaboration. When it resumes,

there will be an initial focus on Jersey City and Newark boards and staff to ensure there is an awareness

of the signs of trafficking.

DOE Committee to Develop Programs for pre-service teachers internships

Without full access to in-person instruction, the DOE in collaboration with higher ed and NJSBA

developed guidelines that will permit pre-service teachers to fulfill student internship requirements

virtually and in person.

DOE Committee on Licensing

Due to the abbreviated in-person school year, pre-service teachers who graduated in June 2020 were not

able to complete the internship and related requirements. This committee recommended that those graduated

be given until July 1, 2021 to fulfill them and granted them Emergency Licenses through that date.

Trauma Informed Schools

The impacts of trauma on learning and behaviors can be significant. Representing NJSBA on this

statewide PSA task force, we are discussing how to share the information regarding diagnosis, impact,

and practices to relieve the trauma many kids experience daily.

SEL4NJ

NJSBA continues to have a significant presence on this initiative.

NJSBA Equity Council

The May meeting of the Equity Council resulted in a June virtual conference- “Equity in a Pandemic with

85 participants. Feedback from the attendees was very positive. The Council is planning a similar forum

for WORKSHOP and has chosen to expand its meeting schedule to 8-10 per year from the initial 2/year.

Virtual Conferences:

Since May the Department of Training has provided these professional learning experiences:

• The Challenges of Homeschooling Special Needs Students – 57 attendees

• Equity in a Pandemic - 85

• Pandemic Discussion Summer Series: Key Decisions for Special Education Post-COVID-19 Related

School Closures – 69

• Pandemic Discussion Summer Series: Legacy Shaping Lessons learned in Crisis Leadership – 49

• Pandemic Discussion Summer Series: Understanding Special Education Cost Drivers Upon School

Reopening – 28

• Pandemic Discussion Summer Series: Key Special Education Performance Indicators for a

Successful Reopening and Beyond – 24

• NJ Labor Management Collaborative – 188

• The 7 Formers (DOE Asst. Commissioners, Superintendents, Asst Superintendents) presented a

comprehensive discussion on all facets of leadership – 88

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Business Development

Prior to our Association going remote in March, we had our final Director’s meeting with Larry. After updating

us on the plan, he ended the meeting with 2 simple questions: “When this is over, and one day it will be, will our

members remember that NJSBA was there for them during their time of need?” and “In June, when the NJSBA

dues letters go out, will our members believe that we earned their 2020-21 dues payment”?

As the Director of Business Development, those were my marching orders; and although these last almost 6

months have been challenging in many ways, I am confident that the answer to those two questions is a

resounding yes!

The Business Development Department is made up of 10 people. We are responsible for numerous fee-based and

dues-based services. In addition to organizing and executing Workshop, which will be virtual for the first-time

ever, our department is also responsible for: Call Center, Policy, STEAM and Sustainability services, the NJSBA

TEC program, Board Docs, Charter School Membership, School Leader and Corporate Membership programs,

Marketing, the NJSBA Website, Social Media, the new Digital Schools Program, Facebook Live events,

Webinars and numerous other on-line events, as well as coordination of the Delegate Assembly.

Fortunately for me, we were a team before the pandemic. But on day one, during our first department meeting via

WebEx, I realized that we were going to come together in new and exciting ways to serve and engage our

members. The ideas flowed and each week produced numerous new virtual programs, new products added to the

NSJBA TEC program, including PPE, and our Call Center and Policy departments answering hundreds of

inquiries and phone calls from our members. In other words - nothing stopped.

In addition, many of our technology and social media experienced department members, in collaboration with the

Training and Professional Development Department, worked together and quickly adapted to our new

environment. Their ideas and suggestions encouraged all of us to use WebEx more and think “out of the box” for

ways to do things remotely. From the BOD meeting, DA, County meetings, and the weekly Directors meetings to

name a few. WebEx is our way of life. Allowing us to maintain human contact, face-to-face meetings and some

level of personal service. Facebook Live events, Webinars, and Sponsor web chats are our new normal and have

allowed us to keep engaging with our members and our private sector partners in new and exciting ways.

Besides an occasional visit to headquarters, my entire staff have been remote since March. Although we have not

been in the office, I am proud of the outstanding work my team has done since going remote. Below is the proof. I

have asked members of our department to share with you some of their analytics, successful projects and other

highlights during this time:

Workshop: Lynn Anderson and Kristen Krulikowski

The planning of Workshop 2020 started in early November, 2019. Excited to begin planning our next event, we

designed the exhibit floor, and started reaching out with our first right of refusals to our Sponsors. Lots of work

went into setting up Expocad, our Workshop software platform, for the in-person Workshop with numerous ala

carte product options that sponsors and vendors could purchase. Conversations and contracts were signed for the

Convention Center rental, General Service Contractor, hotels, mobile App, Registration Company, etc.

As planning continued, we started hearing about the Coronavirus – COVID 19. Not thinking too much about it at

first – we continued moving forward and getting our sponsorship prospectus ready and program proposal

finalized. Numerous hours were spent planning with our Workshop team and Graphics department. A new

website was designed and we were moving forward for Workshop 2020.

Then we started hearing more and more about the virus. Patty and I had conversations with Larry and we decided

that we needed to plan two tracks. Continue planning our in-person event and start researching a virtual one too.

We started researching anything and everything on how to plan a Workshop Virtually. Information was limited

since much of this was new for everyone. As we researched – we also continued implementing the in-person

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

13 | P a g e

Workshop plan too. Vendors were sending in their contracts with payment or partial payment. Our large

sponsors were already signed up and we were working on the next steps of program proposal forms, invoices,

confirmations, follow-up emails, and calls to finalize their products they ordered.

Then COVID 19 became a real thing –The US declared a national emergency. March 13 was the last day in our

offices as Larry allowed staff to work from home. During those early weeks, we continued to plan both events.

We started interviewing possible platforms that we could use. We watched numerous demos.

Once Larry made the decision, after the National Guard hospital was opened in the AC Convention Center, we

turned the switch and it was all hands on deck. First and foremost – we needed to cancel contracts with hotels, the

convention center, and numerous other vendors who had our deposits and we work with for workshop. We

negotiated postponement contracts for 2021.

We selected VFairs as our Virtual Workshop platform. Then we had to cancel all our existing booth and

sponsorship contracts and speak with every one of them to see if they wanted to switch to the virtual event.

Hundreds of calls, WebEx meetings and emails were made with potential exhibitors and sponsors.

All new marketing materials, website, and promotional materials needed to be created. New artwork, program

proposal forms and sponsorship options were implemented. It was a team effort.

Refunds needed to be sent to numerous exhibitors too. A new plan was created for the refund process which took

numerous meetings with Finance.

The summer has been dedicated to selling sponsorships and getting the virtual platform set up. Doing this all

virtually has proven to be interesting. But it is a testimony to everyone’s commitment and personal connection to

making our Workshop a success. It is hard to believe we are already in September and Workshop is right around

the corner. Even though we will miss seeing everyone, we believe that the event will be a great success and our

members will appreciate the outstanding training and interactive exhibit floor available to them.

Virtual Workshop timeline:

Maintain Expocad platform for Workshop

• Web-based contract, billing, and interactive floorplan used for in-person and virtual Workshop. Creating

vendor contract on the platform through self-taught coding, maintaining vendor database, incoming

contracts, vendor invoicing and billing accounts, generating new vendor registrations through easy online

email links (no more paper)

• Receive vendor uploads of documents and logos

Monitor Exhibitor Hub

• Established private online community for registered Workshop vendors to chat with staff and network,

access exclusive content, review FAQs

Create and send program promotions for Virtual Workshop

• Work with County Activities Coordinator as needed, to promote Workshop. Also Promote though email

blasts, Facebook promotions, School Board Notes articles. Update virtual Workshop websiteUpdate main

home page of the virtual Workshop event – uploading new sponsor logos and links as they come in.

Virtual Workshop Platform

• Learn the ins and outs of the backend of the platform and share with Business Development. Transition

in-person Workshop details to the virtual format

• Create and manage over 100 vendor virtual booths, assisting vendors as needed.

• Work closely with BusDev and vFairs to maintain the virtual event timeline

• Research virtual event functionalities, ensure all features available are being utilized to our advantage.

• Daily meetings with department to discuss event; weekly meeting with vFairs to follow-up

ISTEAM, Sustainability & STEAM Tank : Jennifer Siehl and John Henry

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

14 | P a g e

Listed below is a snapshot of the activities from March 25- Sept 4, 2020 for the Executive Committee meeting:

Over the past seven months, we had to change the way we did business due to COVID- 19, which forced a move

to the virtual world. While it was an adjustment period and learning experience for all of us; we rose to the

occasion and were able to successfully reach a broad audience to convey our message in a more succinct and

sustainable way. It was truly a team effort, with special thanks to the Marketing Department for promoting our

programs and Mike K for his leadership on our Facebook live sessions. Our department, housed within Business

Development accomplished the following:

• Held weekly Facebook live sessions with the following partners, and innovative educators for 14,159

views. (Held weekly planning meetings/working sessions with each organization & produced with Mike

K on weekly basis). https://www.facebook.com/njsba/

○ Rutgers- launched Rutgers/NJSBA summer at home steam tank challenges -

https://www.njsba.org/services/isteam-2/at-home-design-challenges/

○ Rock & Roll Forever Foundation

○ NJ Audubon

○ Conserve Wildlife NJ - live Osprey Webcam

○ DEP- Marc Rogoff- Live from learning experience

○ Arts ED NJ

○ NJ Clean Energy Program

○ ACES

○ Energime University & Stockton

○ NJDOE & Sustainable Schools NJ

○ ANJEE

○ US Green Building Council

○ NJPTA- launched at home COVID 19 steam tank challenge

○ Cloud Institute

○ Liberty Science Center - launched design challenge

○ US Army

○ NJIT - student presentations

○ Info Age- Live Museum tour

• Held weekly information WebEx sessions for teachers from across the state and shared best practices in

midst of COVID Crisis. (At one point we had over 80 teachers on a single WebEx session )

• Cancellation of STEAM Tank 2020- outreach to teams, district administrators, BA’s - will recognize

regional participants at Virtual Workshop 2020 with Digital badge for district website & e- certificate of

regional participation for each team. Refunded registration fees, worked with Finance.

• Daily meetings Jen & John , inc Sgt. Morel, US Army

• Produced weekly update emails for STEAM Tank Community

• Worked with Marketing & Communications to launch STEAM Tank Webpage

https://www.njsba.org/services/isteam-2/

• Worked with Mike K. to launch STEAM Tank Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/NJSBASTEAMTank- which includes weekly updates and streaming of live

events.

• Worked with IT to launch STEAM Services email box

• Worked with Communications on STEAM Tank at home Challenge article

• Created STEAM Tank at home design challenges for students & parents, called maker in place.

(submission from Hawthrone High School - https://youtu.be/jG9ve8Bvrd8-

• Created a Google Folder for educators/schools to access Instructional design for each STEAM Tank at

home Challenge.

• Participated in several planning meetings /working sessions with the following organizations in addition

to FB Live sessions:

○ Newark STEAM Coalition

○ TALO - virtual platform

○ Saddle River School District

○ New Brunswick School District

○ Evesham Township School District

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○ NJ Audubon & NWF- repurpose climate change grant

○ PSEG -grant for 2021

○ NJEA and STEAM Tank 2021

○ Jason BIng - Jersey City BOE & perkins grant opportunity

○ Art Benson- The National Inventors Hall of Fame

○ NJDOE - Continuity of Learning working group meetings, which innlcude curriculum,

instruction and vertical assessment

○ NJEA- STEAM Tank 2021 planning

○ Mike Heinz- DOE Climate Change Standards

○ Sustainable Jersey for Schools - application reviews of Career & tech Ed

○ SJ Digital Schools - meetings with Larry Coco & team

○ US Navy- Michael Dean

○ Monmouth University

○ Rutgers University

○ NJIT

• Jennifer & John presented on a livestream event and introduced the COVID 19 Challenge to New

Brunswick School District and was posted to their website

https://www.nbpschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=30&

ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-

3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=5494&PageID=1

• Participation in NJ’s Commission on Environmental Education

https://www.nj.gov/dep/seeds/njcee/index.htm

• Received small grant to write one unit and to deliver a profession learning on PBL and sustainability

for Newark public schools for $2,500. This is in partnership with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation

who is the lead on the grant.

• Dr. Feinsod signed the MOU between NJSBA and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and

returned to secure an additional small grant of $12,000. Deliverables are included in the MOU.

• Layout of 2020/2021 calendar of events - includes planning meeting with Marcia on SJDS/SJS

• Delegate Assembly- Jennifer

• John participated on AIA NJ Panel

• Jean Harkness & Policy for Digital Citizenship

• Working on iSTEAM & Sustainability Virtual Booth (to include STEAM Tank) & materials for

Workshop 2020 with Lou, Stacy & Age.

• Planning for Virtual STEAM Tank 2021 & sponsorship opportunities

○ Outreach complete to potential judges & subject matter experts

■ Producing a site and or living document for teams & schools to connect to a subject

matter expert to assist with STEAM learning - (gathering Bios)

● Includes patent lawyers, university professors, Architects, business leaders, etc.

○ Will use WebEx platform & Calendly and or Microsoft office for Virtual STEAM Tank 2021

○ Will present/pitch STEAM Tank Virtual 2021 & sponsorship opportunities package to Dr.

Feinsod & Patty for approval

○ Work with Marketing & Communications on roll out to our members - target date Oct 5th

Policy Services: Steve McGettigan and Jean Harkness

As you know, responding to the COVID pandemic has resulted in a lot of modification of both our internal

operations and our methods of dealing with customers. Below is a summary of actions taken by Policy over the

summer in response, as well as other routine duties. While impossible to quantify, responding to 370 inquiries

(most relating to COVID/reopening) in itself was significantly time consuming:

• Assisted in planning and participating in first ever remote Delegate Assembly. Collaborated with NJSBA

staff with technical expertise to accomplish. Necessitated total re-write and repeated revision of officer

scripts and rules of conduct to conform to technical and timing issues. Revised P&P policies based on DA

resolution adoption;

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16 | P a g e

• Participated in numerous DA webex planning sessions and run-throughs;

• Assisted in drafting of DA resolution write-ups;

• Produced 5 mandatory policy models for school reopening based on NJDOE Road Back guidance;

• Produced approximately 20 discretionary policy, regulation and exhibit samples, as well as other policy

content, to respond to board needs for reopening. This included the topics of remote board meetings,

remote instruction, working from home, school re-admittance, employee attendance, Code of Conduct for

board meetings, curriculum design, pass/fail grading, exposure control plan;

• Assisted Communications with policy sample website postings and SBN articles;

• Produced Digital Citizenship policy model;

• Produced Equity and Justice comprehensive policy sample to meet board needs in the area of racial

equality equity;

• Prepared draft Title IX policy;

• Provided 2 Facebook live policy inquiry sessions for board members;

• Conducted virtual policy meeting for Roseland school board;

• Developed sample regulation on Pandemic Response Team;

• Completed 5 policy manual wellness checks;

• Wrote majority of Pittsgrove policy manual for fee based writing service;

• Delivered 4 segments of NBMO;

• Produced sample advocacy resolution on A3902/S2392 regarding transmission of property tax revenue;

• Wrote personal finance sample policy;

• Wrote School Leader article on pandemic;

• Wrote 4 Policy Perspectives articles;

• Responded to 370 board member and internal inquiries, many of which included drafts of policy content

requested by boards

Social Media and Digital Marketing: Michael Kvidahl

I wanted to provide some information in my weekly update which reflects analytics from when we started

quarantine. See below for Facebook:

Facebook Analytics from March 13, 2020 – September 3

Daily New Likes: Daily (The number of new people who have liked your Page (Unique Users)) = 984

Daily Total Reach: (The number of people who had any content from your Page or about your Page enter their

screen) = 264,115

Daily Total Impressions: (The number of times any content from your Page or about your Page entered a person's

screen.) = 415,808

Daily Total Video Views: (Daily: Total number of times videos have been viewed for more than 3 seconds.) =

61,768

To say that Facebook has been a success is a real understatement. The analytics speak for themselves – NJSBA’s

Facebook is a main source of information, with multiple pieces of content being posted each day. If the COVID

crisis has taught us anything, it is that our membership consumes content on social media – a LOT of it.

Narrowing down to a specific post, I wanted to highlight the announcement of the CTOY. It has been one of the

highlights of my past year to work on a project like this.

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As you can see, roughly a week after premiering, it is sitting at over 14,000 views and has reached 26,000+

people. Truly remarkable.

Twitter has also been growing really rapidly. We just smashed through 5,000 followers @NJSBA on twitter!

Incredible! Please see below for more analytics.

Department Reports/September 16, 2020

18 | P a g e

Total Twitter impressions from March 13, 2020 – September 3, 2020 = 209,300+

As we move toward the opening of the new school year, I wanted to take the time to really reflect on how far we

have come, not only as an Association, but me personally and professionally. The Facebook lives, the growth of

NJSBA’s social media accounts, and the CTOY premier have been big highlights for me, but I would be remiss to

not mention all of the other things that got us to where we are today; the NJSBA School Technology Conference

– a full virtual conference that was received so well by our membership, the Delegate Assembly - with so many

moving parts including voting and different access for each attendee, and now Virtual Workshop 2020 – the

planning and implantation of what will be the biggest virtual show for school officials in the state. Presenting at

County meetings about the virtual show has also been a pleasure to do. It is so nice to talk/see the membership

and tell them about what we have been doing and what we plan on doing at Workshop! It has been one crazy

spring/summer, but I really believe that NJSBA didn’t skip a beat, and has been on the forefront of getting

information out there to our members. This email could go on and on with how many different things I have been

involved with, but really wanted to narrow down to the big items that I believe NJSBA can hang it’s hat on and be

proud of.

Marketing/Website Manager Report – Lauren Cuervo

Cobalt Post-Launch Plan/Project Management/Role of the IT Consultant

Following the launch of Cobalt in late-January, I continue to manage the Cobalt customer relationship

management system (CRM). Cobalt is used by all NJSBA departments and crosses into all NJSBA business and

IT functions.

Support Plan - I created a plan in March to help minimize our dependence on Cobalt support. The plan involves

IT working through support requests first, using a “time box” method in our UAT environment. I have also set

protocol for submitting support requests, which involves providing clear, step-by-step instructions of issues,

including screenshots. Under my leadership in this area, support requests have dropped by 90 percent between

February and August 2020.

IT Consultant Role - In developing the next steps’ plan, I helped expand the new IT consultant’s job description.

This includes assessing the best use of IT staff talents, creating a project document/timeline of IT department

projects, and taking over the open projects Michael Esolda was working on (cloud migration, finance system,

etc.).

Training Plan - In the spring, I also worked with Cobalt to identify training opportunities and user groups for our

IT staff to be more confident working within the CRM and less reliant on Cobalt support. I have shared this

information with our IT staff and our IT consultant, Michael Dean, and as a result, Michael is currently working

with Joseph on developing an IT staff-training plan.

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19 | P a g e

Contact Tracking - I recently initiated a plan to improve contact tracking so that pertinent member emails are

attached to the district contact records in Cobalt, for the benefit of all staff. This will provide a clearer picture of

ways districts connecting with NJSBA.

Cloud Migration - Over the next several months, I will be managing the migration project to move our instance

of Cobalt from the on-premise environment to the cloud. This move will open additional tools to our IT staff and

allow more control.

Workshop/Virtual Conference Transition Plan and Marketing

I have been very involved in planning the new virtual conference, which will be held in place of the in-person

Workshop. Some of my contributions include:

● Creating the communication – starting by addressing the uncertainty of hosting an in-person conference,

addressing the challenges we face in the pandemic.

● I developed a marketing/communication plan (and related communication) to inform members and

sponsors of the change to a virtual conference and build enthusiasm for the new event. The plan includes

a video series, webinars/sponsor, member education, and promotion through all of our channels, including

the website, social media, NJSBA publications, and email marketing.

● Designing and creating content for Virtual Workshop website.

● Researching other online conferences for guidance on training delivery and sponsorship packages and

researched other features of successful (and unsuccessful) virtual conferences.

● Researched and helped to select the Virtual Workshop platform (also found vFairs) for online conference

delivery.

● Designed the sponsorship opportunities document and sponsorship outreach communication.

● Helped to develop the overall layout for the virtual conference, including overseeing the nighttime events

and keynote sessions.

● I worked with IT in developing and refining the Virtual Conference registration process.

● Work with Lynn, Kristen, Billie, and Cobalt to plan to integrate the Expocad exhibitor contract

management system to Cobalt on the new virtual conference.

COVID-19 Communication Schedule/Marketing Plan and Road Back Training and Information Plan

A few days before the NJSBA headquarters’ shutdown, I initiated the rollout a marketing/communication plan

(similar to the dues services marketing/communication plan that I introduced last summer), including daily

communication to members and weekly virtual events.

I also suggested more frequent meetings of the Communication Channel Strategy Group, which is a team I

formed nearly three years ago. The group consists of staff members who manage all of our various

communication channels, including team members from BD/marketing, communications, training, and member

engagement staff. Dr. Feinsod approved the plan, and as a team, we created a schedule, offering members more

than 40 virtual events every month. The group meets weekly to discuss topics for webinars, Facebook Live

events, training programs, articles, videos, and other communication.

Road Back Training and Information Plan - In June, the Governor’s office rolled out a guidance

document/report labeled The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education. A group of us (Patty, Marcia,

Michael, Lou, and I) met to develop a plan to tie training back to the report, and I suggested branding it as the

‘Road Back’ Training and Information Series, using artwork to connect all of the communication concerning the

series. I brought the plan to the Communication Channel Strategy Group, and other members of the team

contributed content as part of the series. (Ray and Robin contributed an excellent video and podcast series

connected with the ‘Road Back’ plan.)

NJSBA Marketing Leadership/Kristen Krulikowski

Marketing is integrated with all aspects of NJSBA’s outreach and business initiatives, and I continue to lead

NJSBA’s marketing efforts. Since the start of the pandemic, Michael Kvidahl has increased the Facebook Live

events to two per week (which requires a lot of time in preparation and coordination). I have been pulled to

manage technology-based projects, including Cobalt.

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To help address the increased projects and efforts, the marketing unit has been expanded to include Kristen

Krulikowski, business development coordinator, who divides her time between Workshop and marketing. Kristen

is responsible for promoting southern county meetings, NJSBA webinars, some sponsorship/vendor

communication, and promotions under the new structure. Kristen manages several web pages, including the

virtual programs web page and the Virtual Workshop website’s sponsor logo page.

NJSBA Website/Analytics

I continue to work with Stacy Moorhead (Front-End Web Developer/Graphic Designer) to ensure that the NJSBA

website remains healthy, and all plug-ins are updated and functioning correctly.

Since the shutdown period (March 14) through Sept. 6, there have been 581,394 page views and 286k sessions on

the website. During the same period in 2019, there were 438,870 page views and 201k sessions.

Top 10 Pages (March 14 – Sept. 6, 2020)

1. Home page

2. Candidacy

3. Member portal

4. Online evaluations

5. Superintendent positions

6. COVID-19 Resource Center

7. School Leader: School’s Out Forever

8. Mandated Training

9. Upcoming programs

10. SBN/Press Release – Bill to Delay Quarterly Tax Payments

Call Center: Billie Barnett and Taylor Salton

Call Center has averaged answering 350 emails and 85 phone calls per week.

Member Transcripts/Course Creations:

• All member transcripts have been updated from attendance sheets. Working with Lou to receive all of the

attendance sheets for Webinars since March.

Summer Standout’s:

• Created a Census Update video which should help streamline updates for all BA’s.

• School Leader and Corporate Membership renewals are still occurring.

• Delegate Assembly registration and execution went as we could have hoped great! Now we have one

under our belt and the November DA will be easy.

• We are proactively updating transcripts for all NJSBA ran webinars. Coming up with new ways to award

our members credits for staying in the know and engaging with us.

• Working with Marketing and Cyndy Jahn to ensure we stay on top of mandated training requirements for

our members.

• Actively working through duplicates in Cobalt to ensure the member database is not plagued with bad

information

• Working with all departments to ensure they understand the new process for course creations

• Helping FS to ensure they receive necessary information about the NJ school board candidates.

NJSBA TEC Coordinator, Charter Schools Coordinator, Webinar Coordinator, and Products and

Services: Lou Schimenti:

NJSBA TEC Program: During the past three months, I have been working closely with our NJSBA TEC

Procurement partners as well as other vendor like Google, Verizon, Altice and T-Mobile in making available

products and services to school districts as they prepared to reopen school. We are also adding new product and

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services to our procurement contracts like Luke PPE and Canvas, in fact we are the only contract in NJ that offers

Canvas. Between March and June our TEC program has brought in over $83,000 to NJSBA and over $144,000

for the 2019-20 FY, that is nearly double of our budget goal of 72,500.

NJSBA Webinar Series: One of the ways that we got the message out to districts was through our “Road Back”

webinar series. Below are the analytics of the list 47 webinars we hosted since March 16.

Webinar Registered Viewed

Live

Viewed

Recorded

Link

Districts

Remote Collaboration During a Crisis 135 51 211 102

Online Learning: How to Protect Your

District’s Data During the Covid-19

Crisis

34 12 70 28

Internet Access for All Students

During the COVID-19 Crisis 26 17 131 19

E-Parenting 7 5 7 3

Day in a Life of A Distant Learning

Student 6 6 31 6

Guide to Using NJSBA’s Chief School

Administrator Evaluation Tool and

Process

95 63 168 73

Secure Virtual Board Meetings and

Classrooms with Cisco Webex 60 40 22 52

Roles and Responsibilities for School

Boards and Districts 97 59 82 84

Best Practices for Distributing,

Securing, and Maintaining Digital

Devices for Remote Learners

69

52

29 54

Leadership in Challenging Times 103 76 53 80

Recent Funding Made Available to the

Education Sector 112 87 109 83

Board Member Self-Evaluations 102 65 127 65

Training to Stay Ahead of the Curve

on IT Solutions 44 28 29 31

What Every Board Member Should

Know About QSAC 83 58 50 60

Esports in Education: Giving Students

Courage and Confidence through

Positive Instruction

40 28 17 28

How Can Your FSR Assist You and

Your Board? 22 15 3 18

A Discussion Regarding the Software

and Services that Enable Distance

Learning

47 27 29 37

Policy? Regulation? Bylaws? 101 72 27 81

NJSBA Charter School 60 39 23 49

Effective Board Communication: It

Isn’t as Hard as You Think 91 63 37 77

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CARES Act Update 92 67 36 76

Best Practices for Effective

Committees 95 67 78

Goal-Setting 69 45 42 51

Join BoardDocs for a Virtual User

Group 14 6 2 12

Goal-Setting Building the Board

Team: Onboarding Your New

Superintendent

29 24 17 23

The New Era of Distributed Workforce 21 11 4 19

The Board’s Role in QSAC – Part 2 53 34 2 42

The Neuroscience of Stress and Its

Impact on Schools 26 20 11 26

Top Ten Tips for New Board Members 48 36 13 38

Powering the K-12 Mobile

Environment 18 10 5 17

We Started a Strategic Plan. Now

What? 48 29 7 41

Back to School: Safeguarding the

Health of Students and Staff 252 172 51 163

New "Chapter 78" Law 203 145 47 152

How to Support Face to Face, Blended

and Remote Learning in Your District 118 71 14 106

The New Jersey Code of Ethics for

School Board Members 76 53 20 68

The Shift to Remote Learning and

Your District’s “Cloud-First” Strategy 32 16 6 28

2020 Reopening Vision: An Open

Discussion with Your Friends at

Google

91 49 13 59

Title IX – Proposed Changes and the

Potential Impact on Your District 49 29 9 45

Protecting District Equipment Outside

of the Classroom 27 18 2 24

Leveraging Data Analytics for Back to

School 38 18 0 31

Labor and Leave Review 70 37 18 66

Tackling the Digital Divide 23 11 2 19

Security Awareness 13 8 1 11

Addressing School Finance 45 31 41

2884 1846 1577 2266

452

individual

districts

Charter School Dues: I continue to reach out to Charter Schools and dues are coming in on schedule.

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Patty Maillet

For me this time has been extremely productive. Below are some highlights of the last few months:

• Workshop 2020: Closing out our in-person event and transitioning to the virtual one. Working

directly with our sponsors to meet our budget goals.

• Transitioning Future Ready Schools to the Sustainable Jersey Digital Schools Program. I am

extremely excited about this new partnership and believe our schools will benefit from this program

being incorporated into the highly successful Sustainable Jersey for Schools program

• Identifying and securing new products for our NSJBA TEC program. In response to our member’s

needs, we added PPE products and Canvas, a learning management system. In addition, we have

added numerous other products to the program.

• Surpassing our 2019-20 Business Development budget goals