Policy Alert 196 will include policies and/or regulations regarding Interdistrict Public School Choice, the “New Jersey First Act” – residency requirements for public employees, NJSIAA’s recent rule addressing Choice and home schooled pupils, and an update to the pupil code of conduct to include dating violence consequences. Policy Alert 196 is scheduled to be released on or before January 31, 2012.
 

The Statement of Assurance, District Performance Review, and a Memorandum explaining these documents are available for download under the QSAC Support tab.
 

On January 5, 2011 the Governor signed A-1637 that permits advertising on the exterior of school buses. The law requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to include, but not be limited to, the permissible size of the advertising and the criteria for determining the age-appropriateness of the advertising and the suitability of the message. Although the law takes effect immediately, Strauss Esmay recommended Boards defer adopting an advertising policy until the rules and regulations are developed by the State Board of Education. The NJDOE, in a memorandum dated January 21, 2011, notified school districts not to enter into any contract for school bus advertisements until the State Board has adopted new administrative code. Advertising on school buses and other school property has First Amendment, public contract law, and safety issues that will likely be addressed in the new administrative code. Strauss Esmay has been developing Policy Guide 6163 - Advertising on School Property and will forward the new Guide to PASS school districts upon receipt and consideration of the new administrative code.
 

P.L. 2010 C. 65 established a permanent interdistrict public school choice program to begin effective September 2011. Choice districts had to submit an application to the Department of Education by October 29, 2010. All districts are considered sending districts and must permit students to attend a choice district school with few limitations. Although administrative code is proposed, but not yet adopted, the legislation permits a Board of Education to limit the number of pupils permitted to leave their district to a choice district to ten percent of the number of students per grade per year in the district and/or fifteen percent of the total number of students enrolled in the district provided the Board adopts a limiting resolution. In the event the Board does not adopt a limiting resolution, all pupils in the district are eligible to attend choice schools in another district. Strauss Esmay has developed a Draft resolution limiting the total number of students participating in the school choice program which may be downloaded by clicking on the Policy Alerts tab (it will be under Other Downloads). In the absence of administrative code, it is recommended the school district review this resolution before Board adoption with the Executive County Superintendent. There are three limitation options in the resolution. Upon adoption of administrative code, Strauss Esmay Associates will develop a Policy and Regulation Guide.
 

The Commissioner of Education in G.D.M. and T.A.M. on behalf of, minor child, B.M.M. v. Board of Education of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, Bergen County, DKT. NO. 225-9/09, Commissioner of Education, 13 September 2010 ruled the school district’s conduct away from school grounds policy was unlawful. All Strauss Esmay’s Policy and Regulation Guides are consistent with this Commissioner’s decision and the applicable code, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6. However, a school district may have developed and adopted its own code of conduct policy similar to the code of conduct policy determined to be unlawful in this Commissioner’s decision. In the event a district has developed a code of conduct policy that imposes a consequence to a pupil for conduct away from school grounds, this Commissioner’s decision requires a review of such policy to be sure the policy does not exceed the Board’s authority as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6 and this Commissioner’s decision.
 

Strauss Esmay has installed several new password security measures. The only new measure that will affect the authorized user requires a user to “LOGOFF” to end a session on ELANOnline or DISTRICTOnline by clicking the “LOGOFF” button located at the top right hand corner of the screen. Failure to logoff a session in this manner will not permit the authorized user to sign into a subsequent session of ELANOnline or DISTRICTOnline until twenty minutes have expired. Therefore, all authorized users should logoff after signing-in to ELANOnline or DISTRICTOnline using the “LOGOFF” button at the upper right hand corner of the screen to avoid a twenty minute delay to log-in to a second session. Thank you for your cooperation in this new procedure.
 

All PASS school districts should be sure to register one person to Strauss Esmay’s new E-LERT system. This new system will provide important school policy and regulation information via e-mail to one person designated by the school district. If your district has not registered an E-LERT contact person, the E-LERT Registration Form may be downloaded from the Events tab and returned by fax to 732-255-1502.
 

Strauss Esmay Associates formally announces and offers professional development services for school districts looking to provide professional development and in-service programs to Board members, administrators, teachers, and support staff. Strauss Esmay offers in-service programs in school policy areas such as:

• School Ethics Act
• Inappropriate Staff Conduct
• Sexual Harassment
• Pupil Residency
• Family Leave
• School Law Review for Administrative Staff
• School Law and the Teacher
• Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Click the Professional Development tab above to access more details on Strauss Esmay's Professional Development Services.
 

Reviews on Strauss Esmay’s DISTRICTOnline are excellent. DISTRICTOnline provides a school district the option to have its Policy and Regulation Manuals on the Internet and provides easy access for district authorized users and the district editor. School districts should contact Strauss Esmay Associates to arrange a DISTRICTOnline demonstration.