School Board Glossary of Terms

School board glossary

The terms you’ll hear at board meetings and on the ballot, in plain language.

Terms

Listed A–Z.

Board Policy

A formal set of rules or guidelines adopted by the Board of Education that establishes how the district operates. Administrators use board policies to guide day-to-day decisions and procedures.

BOE (Board of Education)

A locally elected group of community members responsible for governing a public school district. The Board of Education sets policies, approves the budget, hires and evaluates the superintendent, and provides oversight for the district. The board does not manage the day-to-day operation of schools.

Capital Projects

Major long-term investments in school facilities, such as renovations, additions, technology infrastructure, or new construction. Large projects may require separate funding approval through a referendum.

Collective Bargaining

The process through which school districts and employee unions negotiate agreements covering matters such as salaries, benefits, and working conditions. These agreements are known as collective bargaining agreements.

CSA (Chief School Administrator)

The official title used in New Jersey for the person responsible for leading a school district’s administration. In most districts, the Chief School Administrator is also the superintendent.

Curriculum Standards

Learning goals and expectations established by the State of New Jersey that describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. School districts develop curriculum aligned with these standards.

Executive Session

A portion of a Board of Education meeting that is closed to the public for discussion of certain topics allowed by law, such as personnel matters, legal issues, negotiations, or student privacy matters. Any formal board action must generally be taken during a public meeting.

IEP (Individualized Education Program)

A written plan developed for a student who qualifies for special education services under federal and state requirements. An IEP outlines the student’s educational needs, goals, services, and supports.

Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)

A New Jersey law requiring public bodies, including Boards of Education, to conduct business openly and provide notice of meetings, with limited exceptions for confidential discussions.

Operating Budget

The annual financial plan that covers the day-to-day costs of running a school district, including salaries, benefits, supplies, transportation, utilities, and educational programs.

Public Comment

A portion of a public Board of Education meeting where residents may address the board. Public comment allows community members to share opinions, concerns, or questions. Boards may set reasonable rules for public participation, such as time limits and meeting procedures.

Public Meeting

A meeting of the Board of Education that is open to the public and conducted according to New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act. The public may attend and, during designated periods, provide comments.

Quorum

The minimum number of Board of Education members who must be present for the board to conduct official business and vote on decisions. The required number is usually a majority of the full board.

Referendum

A public vote on a specific school district proposal, often related to major construction, renovations, or improvements to school facilities. Voters decide whether to approve the proposed project and funding.

Regional District

A school district that serves students from multiple municipalities. Regional districts are often created to provide shared middle school or high school services for several communities, with representation from each participating municipality.

School Budget

A financial plan that outlines how a school district will spend money during the upcoming school year. The Board of Education reviews, modifies, and approves the budget before it is implemented.

Sending District

A school district that provides education for students through another district, usually for certain grade levels. For example, a smaller K–8 district may send its high school students to another district through a sending-receiving agreement.

Special Education

Services and supports provided to eligible students with disabilities to help them access education and make progress based on their individual needs. Schools provide these services according to federal and state requirements.

State Aid

Funding provided by the State of New Jersey to help support public school districts. The amount of state aid a district receives is determined through state funding formulas and is used as part of the district’s overall budget.

State Mandates

Requirements established by state law or regulations that school districts must follow. Examples may include academic standards, student safety requirements, reporting obligations, and certain programs or services.

Superintendent

The chief administrator of a school district who is responsible for managing daily operations and carrying out the policies set by the Board of Education. The superintendent oversees district staff, programs, and school operations and makes recommendations to the board.

Tax Levy

The amount of money a school district raises from local property taxes to support its annual budget. The tax levy is approved as part of the school budget process and is one source of funding along with state aid and other revenues.

Tenure

A form of employment protection provided under New Jersey law to eligible educators who have completed required service periods and met performance requirements. Tenure does not mean a teacher cannot be evaluated, disciplined, or dismissed.

Third-party endorsements & affiliations

Outside organizations across the political spectrum recruit, screen, train, or endorse school board candidates. Knowing who backs a candidate — and what that group asks of them — helps you read a race. Descriptions summarize each organization’s own stated positions.

Listing an organization here is not an endorsement, recommendation, or criticism of it or of any candidate it supports. This guide is nonpartisan.

Moms for Liberty

Endorses candidates

Looks for candidates who support strong parental authority and transparency in schools and who align with the organization’s positions on curriculum and school policies, including opposition to CRT, gender-identity instruction, sexually explicit materials, and other content it considers inappropriate. Candidates seeking endorsement must agree to the organization’s Parent Pledge and go through its endorsement process.

portal.momsforliberty.org/candidates

The New Jersey Project

Endorses candidates

Supports candidates who want to reduce the influence of the NJEA and teachers’ unions on school boards and increase parental control over education. It favors candidates opposed to what it describes as “woke” policies and curriculum, including CRT, gender and LGBTQ+ content, sexually explicit materials, and other progressive social issues in schools.

newjerseyproject.org

BoardBOOST

Training, no endorsements

Provides training and campaign resources to candidates who support public education and teachers, the Freedom to Read, LGBTQ+ students, equitable treatment, evidence-based decision-making, student mental-health resources, and collaborative, nonpartisan governance. BoardBOOST explicitly says it does not endorse candidates, although participants are screened for alignment with these values.

forpubliceducation.com

New Jersey Public Education Coalition (NJPEC)

Identifies like-minded candidates

Identifies “like-minded” candidates who support inclusive public schools, oppose politically or religiously motivated book bans, support students’ and parents’ freedom to choose library materials, and favor schools free from harassment and discrimination. NJPEC describes these as like-minded candidates rather than formal endorsements.

njpecoalition.org

Districts for Democracy

Identifies like-minded candidates

In 2023, Districts for Democracy identified and supported “like-minded” New Jersey school-board candidates committed to keeping national culture-war politics out of public schools. The organization looked for candidates who supported freedom of inquiry, thought and speech; opposed book bans and censorship; defended diversity and equity; and believed schools should help students think critically and engage with different ideas and perspectives.