2022, New Rules?

To Our School Board Community: First, Happy New Year (we think)!! Though we hoped this year would start without Executive Orders, last minute guidance, and unclear recommendations, it seems that’s not going to be our reality.  Second, we are still working on all of the new information and guidance, so everyone should try and remain patient and flexible […]

School Update: Vaccines and Masks

To Our School Board Community: As we anticipate the return to full in person instruction for our students, we are again seeing increased Executive Orders, and last minute guidance. On August 20, 2021 the New Jersey Department of Education updated the “Road Forward” guidance and on August 23, 2021, Governor Murphy announced Executive Order 253 […]

Legal Considerations for the Upcoming School Year

To Our School Board Community: Another school year is about to start, one we hoped would start without Executive Orders, last minute guidance and unclear recommendations; in other words one we hoped would start with some normalcy.  Sadly, here we are again starting a new school year with another Executive Order and “hints” of recommendations […]

Governor Clarifies in Executive Order No. 196 that BOE Meetings are Legislative Proceedings NOT Subject to Restrictions on Gatherings

To Our School Board Community: The Governor issued Executive Order 196 on November 16, 2020. The Executive Order tightened up restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings. However, notably, after much debate in the legal community, Executive Order 196 clarifies that Local Boards of Education meetings are local legislative proceedings, and are not subject to the capacity […]

New DCA issued OPMA Regulations to Consider Before Your Next Meeting

To Our School Board Community: We have been trying to anticipate and quickly respond to your questions during this time, given the unprecedented challenges presented to our Boards related to COVID-19 school closures. In March, the New Jersey Legislature amended the Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”), to include various relaxations as a result of COVID-19. […]

Join us at the 2020 NJSBA Virtual Workshop

Click here to join us at the 2020 NJSBA Virtual Workshop  Log in and enter the exhibit floor lobby between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday October 20, 21, and 22. Click “Enter Here” to visit the lobby and type “Cooper Levenson” into the “Search for a Booth” bar.  We can chat […]

NJDOE’s FAQ’s Released

To Our School Board Community: We have been trying to anticipate and quickly respond to your questions during this time, given the unprecedented challenges presented to our Boards related to COVID-19 school closures. Today the Governor announced that the FAQs for reopening schools had be released. The FAQs can be found here.   Additionally, the Governor […]

Governor Murphy Announces Face Coverings Will Be Required For All Students

To Our School Board Community: We have been trying to anticipate and quickly respond to your questions during this time, given the unprecedented challenges presented to our Boards related to COVID-19 school closures. Today Governor Murphy announced that face coverings will be required for all students at all times while inside a school building, regardless of […]