New Toolkit!
Leading in the New Economy
February 5, 2009
NJPSA has prepared this toolkit with the new global economic slowdown in mind. Our goal is to help members protect educational quality while working with fewer resources; and thus, gain community support for school budgets.
Legislation is now being proposed that would eliminate the budget vote at or under cap, and move the board member and second question votes to November. As of now, that legislation has not yet passed, so school leaders should continue to plan for the annual April budget vote. State law prohibits school leaders from advocating for the passage of the school budget. School leaders can, however, repeatedly and consistently demonstrate to students’ families that the tax money they allocate to their local school is a wise investment.
Why Diminishing Resources?
Even districts which have an excellent track record of passing their school budget will face challenges this year.
The time to begin influencing residents about the value of their investment in their public school is now. That’s because it will take time and effort to assure voters that their school is operating at maximum efficiency and will use every dollar in the proposed budget wisely.
This guide has two sections: The first describes the legal restrictions on an administrator in the school budget process, and provides the dos and don’ts for a budget campaign.
The section also offers the 2009 budget calendar for New Jersey. There is also a list of links to information sources regarding the state pension system. The second section provides strategies and tactics to work with diminishing resources, as well as topics, talking points, and activities that voters and legislators want to hear about in order to win their support.
Before starting any project, building level school leaders should always have a discussion with the superintendent and perhaps the business administrator about the district’s situation and plans.
This resourceful information is offered in five sections that can be customized for your own use. We welcome your comments and look forward to your feedback. You can contact us regarding this toolkit by emailing us at news@njpsa.org.
Toolkit
- 2009 School Election And Budget Procedures Calendar
- Toolkit Section 1
- Toolkit Section 2
- Toolkit Section 3
- Toolkit Section 4
- Toolkit Section 5