Special Announcement – Christine Soto on NJSBA Education Podcast on July 28, 2020 at 2:30 PM Maybe no other area in education has had such a difficult transition with the shut down and more challenges in the reopening of schools then special education. As we look into reopening our schools we need to evaluate and […]

Today’s Issue: Has the New Jersey State Treasurer adjusted bid thresholds for New Jersey public schools? Answer: Yes. The State Treasurer exercised her authority to adjust bid thresholds for contracting units subject to the Local Public Contracts Law and the Public School Contracts Law. These adjustments become effective on July 1, 2020 and increase the […]

Today’s Issue: Will FPSCTT continue to provide New Jersey school districts a ONE AT ONE over the summer? Answer: No. The 2019-2020 school year has come to an end and it is time for all of us to relax and recharge and have some fun this summer. However, we will be back to provide you […]

Today’s Issue: Are funds available to cover the cost of additional services provided to student with disabilities who graduate or “age out”? Answer: Yes. School districts may submit an amendment to their 2019-2020 IDEA grant application – by June 30, 2020 – for the costs of providing additional services to students with disabilities. Districts may […]

Today’s Issue: Does graduation or “aging out” preclude a claim for compensatory education for services not provided during the COVID-19 pandemic? Answer: No. Graduating or aging out does not preclude a claim for compensatory education. The NJDOE has issued guidance encouraging IEP teams convene meetings to discuss services that were not provided and determine the […]

Today’s Issue: How many people may attend an outdoor graduation ceremony? Answer: Under Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 152, outdoor gatherings Statewide are limited to 100 people, however, on June 9, 2020 Governor Murphy announced that as long as the downward trends continue with the COVID-19 cases, he will increase outdoor gathering restrictions to 250 […]

Today’s Issue: Are school districts in New Jersey required to provide in-person Extended School Year (“ESY”) programs this summer? Answer: No. School districts are not required to provide in-person ESY programs. Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 149 states that school districts may conduct ESY in-person if the New Jersey Covid-19 Youth Summer Camp standards are […]

Today’s Issue: Are playgrounds or waterparks open in New Jersey? Answer: No. On June 9, 2020, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 153 reopening certain outdoor recreational facilities, such as public swimming pool facilities and public and private social clubs, with restrictions. However, playgrounds and waterparks remain closed at this time. Resource: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-153.pdf To Learn More […]

Today’s Issue: Are virtual classroom sessions considered “education records” under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”)? Answer: Yes, provided the recording is maintained by the District or on the District’s behalf. Under FERPA “education records” are defined as records that are: (1) directly related to a student; and (2) maintained by an educational […]

Today’s Issue: Has New Jersey declared the end to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19? Answer: No. On June 4, 2020, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 151 stating that the public health emergency caused by COVID-19 continues to exist in New Jersey. Based on Executive Order 151, the public health emergency has been extended […]