A separate government for schools
In New Jersey, public schools are run by school districts, which are distinct from city, township and county governments. A district has its own governing board, its own budget and, in most cases, its own line on the property tax bill. A district may match a municipality’s borders, may cover several municipalities, or may serve students from only part of an area. For that reason, the people who run local schools are generally not the same people who sit on a city council.
This article describes the usual arrangement. Rules vary by district type and change over time, and some districts have special status, so the state Department of Education and the district itself are the places to confirm current details.
The board of education
The board of education is the district’s governing body. Its members are usually unpaid residents, and the board’s job is to set policy and oversee the district, not to run schools day to day. Typical responsibilities are:
- adopting the annual budget and approving major spending
- setting policies on matters like attendance, discipline, curriculum review and use of facilities
- hiring, evaluating and sometimes dismissing the superintendent
- approving contracts, including those negotiated with employee unions
- approving the hiring of staff on the superintendent’s recommendation
- representing the community’s interests and holding public meetings
New Jersey law sets out how boards are put together. In general:
- Type II districts are the most common. Members are chosen by voters, usually for three-year staggered terms. In some of these districts the voters also approve the school budget, while others do not require a vote, depending on state rules and local choice.
- Type I districts have boards appointed by the mayor or similar official rather than elected. The number of such districts is smaller.
- Regional districts serve several municipalities, often with seats allocated by population or town.
- State-operated districts have been placed under significant state control after the state found serious problems. In that situation the elected or appointed local board’s powers may be limited or advisory, and the state may appoint the superintendent. The state’s role in these cases has varied over time and between districts.
How a given district is classified affects who picks the board and who has final say on the budget, so it is one of the first things worth checking. Some districts have returned from state control to local control over time, with changes made in stages.
The superintendent and administration
The superintendent is the district’s chief executive, hired by the board. The board sets direction and the superintendent carries it out. A school business administrator typically manages finances and operations, and principals run individual buildings.
A clear division of roles is widely considered good practice. Board members are expected to govern as a group, in public meetings, rather than to direct staff individually. Superintendents are expected to propose budgets, run schools, make staffing recommendations and report to the board. Tension arises when roles blur or when the board and superintendent disagree, which is common in any organization.
Where the money comes from
School districts are paid for by a combination of sources:
- Local property taxes. The school levy is usually the largest part of a New Jersey property tax bill, though the share varies.
- State aid. The state distributes aid under a formula that takes account of enrollment, local wealth and student needs. The formula has been the subject of litigation and political debate for decades, and the amounts change as the formula is applied and funded.
- Federal funds, which are generally targeted to particular purposes such as supporting students from low-income families or students with disabilities.
- Other sources such as fees, grants and tuition from other districts.
Districts also face costs that are hard to cut quickly, such as salaries, health benefits, special education services, transportation and building maintenance. Charter and Renaissance schools receive part of the per-pupil funding in many cases, as the separate article on charter schools describes, and this can change a district’s budget.
The overall tax picture, including how school taxes appear next to municipal and county amounts, is explained in the discussion of municipal budgets.
How the budget process usually works
The details differ, but the budget cycle commonly runs like this.
- The superintendent and business administrator draft a budget, usually in winter, after the state announces its aid figures.
- The board reviews and revises the proposal in public sessions.
- The executive county superintendent, a state-linked official, reviews it for compliance.
- The board holds a public hearing and adopts the budget by a deadline.
- In districts where voters approve the budget or where a tax-levy cap would be exceeded, a public vote may occur.
State law limits how quickly the local tax levy may rise in most cases, with specified exceptions, so budget discussions often turn on those limits and on what is outside them.
Oversight and accountability
Districts answer to several parties. The state reviews finances, test results, special education compliance and other items. Annual audits are required. Voters hold elected boards accountable at the polls, and the way local elections work determines when board seats are up. Parents and residents can raise issues at board meetings.
How residents can follow along
Boards of education meet on a published schedule, post agendas and minutes, and set aside time for public comment under New Jersey’s open meetings rules. The guide to public meetings gives practical pointers for attending. Other useful sources include the district website, the state’s school performance reports and the board’s policy manual.
For a broader view of how local schools fit into the community, the overview of the education system in Camden is a separate topic. This article is a general explanation, not advice.