Each presentation will be topical in nature, based on the typical cyclical pattern of HR issues that arise during the school year. We will continue to survey our participants to identify their challenging issues which will provide direction for the sessions.
Attendees should be prepared to share their concerns and challenges, and discuss workable solutions, based on the experiences of others who have faced similar issues.
Sessions will be facilitated by:
Dr. Kenneth King, Assistant Superintendent (retired), East Orange Public Schools.
Charity Comella, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.
Patrick Duncan, Esq., Special Assistant for Labor Relations, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.
Dr. Jennifer Sharp, Director of Personnel, Freehold Regional High School District.
Each session will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude approximately at noon. All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom or, depending on conditions, at NJASA Headquarters (920 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618). Zoom link and agenda will be e-mailed to registrants 48 hours prior to session. Be sure to click the "add" button next to your registration option and allow the item to populate into your itinerary.
Part One: Thursday, August 17, 2023 - Setting the Stage for a Great School Year: HR Offices in Preparation for 2023-2024. This virtual workshop, to be conducted via Zoom, will guide participants through a wide range of Human Resource matters that all school districts will be encountering this school year. We have focused this session on preparing for the 2023-2024 school year and what critical preparations are necessary. Here is the agenda for this virtual workshop:
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - The meeting will open, and Registrants will be admitted into the Waiting Room.
9:30 a.m. - 9:35 a.m. - Program Overview/Zoom Protocols/Introductions
9:35 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. - NJASA Legislative Update: Melanie Schulz, NJASA Director of Government Relations.
9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. - Program begins with a focus on the following topics:
- EXTRA! EXTRA! What's NEW? & What to DO? New Laws and Chapter 9 Revisions
- Start of the Year - MUST DO's
- Last minute staff leave requests, staffing issues, and hiring non-citizens
- Tenure and Chapter 66
Presenters: Dr. Kenneth King, Charity Comella, Dr. Jennifer Sharp
10:50 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. - Break
10:55 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. - Negotiations Primer and Working Under an Expired Agreement; Legal Updates; Expanded Sick Leave Laws. Presenter: Patrick Duncan.
11:25 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. - The program will continue, and the presenters will remain available to the attendees for questions and discussions of different challenges/issues they are facing.
Part Two: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - Meeting the Mandates and Hitting HR Benchmarks. This session will emphasize NJ state reporting requirements; contract administration and past practice issues; mandated in-service training; progressive discipline; negotiations preparations; staff observation and evaluation procedures, etc.
Part Three: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Critical Mid-Year HR Challenges. This session will address timely and critical topics including anticipated/projected hiring needs for 24-25 SY; dealing with staff-to-staff conflict; paid and unpaid Leave of Absence options; staff turnover and recruitment strategies; ensuring equitable practices; setting up interviewing committees; supporting mid-year hires; and the Grievance process - what is grievable?
Part Four: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - End of School Year Human Resources Issues. This final seminar will focus on non-renewal issues; tenure eligibility questions; Donaldson Appearances; increment withholdings, tenure staff retirement and resignations; transfers; staff turnover and recruitment; and interviewing/reference checks/hiring an as EO/AAE.
Cost for Members:
Individual Session - $150.00
All Four Sessions - $500.00
Cost for Non-Members:
Individual Session: $200.00
All Four Sessions: $700.00
When registering, please remember to include the e-mail address of each individual registrant.
For registration questions and itinerary changes please e-mail the NJASA Business Office at [email protected]
Purchase orders, vouchers and checks should be made payable to NJASA, 920 W. State St., Trenton NJ 08618.