Navigating Your School System: updated September 20, 2017

BOARD OF EDUCATION: 

•  The board of education hires the superintendent and approves other personnel. 
• The Board adopts by resolution all laws and regulations.
•  The board creates and sets the policies for the district based on the laws and regulations. 
•  The superintendent administers the policies for the board. 
•  If you have issues that you think would require a change of district policy or you have concerns about the general governance of the district, these matters should come to the board’s attention. 
•  You could write or e-mail the individual board members or speak about the issue at the public forum at a board meeting. 

http://nj.gov/education/parents/articles/nav/navigate.htm

Protocol

There are times when parents feel it is necessary to address an issue that affects them with the school or district.  The following will guide you to the person most able to assist you:

1. CLASSROOM:  If you have any concerns related to your child’s classroom such as poor academic performance, behavior issues, or difficulty interacting with peers, make an appointment with the teacher to discuss the matter.  Work with the teacher, but if the issue cannot be resolved, request a meeting with the principal.
   
2. SCHOOL:  If you have issues with administration of the school, such as quality of meals, condition of the facility, extra-curricular activities, receiving school information, obtaining Title I supplemental services, or getting a special education evaluation, make an appointment with the principal.
   
3. DISTRICT:  If you have issues related to the operation of your school district, such as unresponsiveness to your requests by the teacher or principal, hours of instruction, starting times, school attendance boundaries, transportation routes, etc., make an appointment with the superintendent.
   
4. BOARD OF EDUCATION:  The board of education hires the superintendent and approves other personnel.  The board sets the policies for the district.  The superintendent administers the policies for the board.  If you have issues that you think would require a change of district policy or you have concerns about the general governance of the district, these matters should come to the board’s attention.  You could write or e-mail the individual board members or speak about the issue at the public forum at a board meeting.

http://nj.gov/education/parents/articles/nav/navigate.htm