Morris County School Board Voter Guide logo

How decisions are made in your district

Your school board is a locally elected body responsible for the vision, policies, and
priorities of its public school district. It governs — but it does not run the schools day
to day.

  • Board members hire and evaluate the superintendent, adopt the annual budget, oversee district finances, approve policies, and make decisions on curriculum, facilities, and long-term planning in accordance with state and federal law.
  • While the board provides governance and oversight, it does not manage the day-to-day operations of the schools — those responsibilities are carried out by the superintendent and district administrators.
  • Individual board members cannot direct school employees, make personnel decisions independently, or intervene in individual student or classroom matters.
  • The board acts as a governing body, making decisions at public meetings and working through the superintendent, and must operate within the requirements of state and federal law.

A Board of Education DOES

Hire and evaluate the superintendent

Adopt district policies

Approve the budget

Set district goals

Approve curriculum aligned with state standards

Oversee district finances

A Board of Education DOES NOT

Manage teachers or principals

Direct employees individually

Run daily school operations

Decide individual student discipline cases

Write lesson plans or teach classes

Override state or federal law

School board responsibility FAQ

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions
controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators.
Common areas where questions arise:

Curriculum and Instruction

Does the board choose what happens in individual classrooms ?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Personnel Matters

What is the board's role in personnel decisions?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Student Discipline

Who handles discipline for individual students?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Student Privacy and Civil Rights

Who controls rules on student records, discrimination, and accommodations?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Public Health

Did boards control mask, quarantine, and vaccination policies during COVID-19?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Library Books

Can the board remove library books?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Board Member Conduct

What authority does an individual board member have?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Campaign and Political Activity

Can district resources or meetings be used for political advocacy?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

Budgeting

How much control does the board have over the budget?

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise

In New Jersey, most board conflicts arise when boards are asked to make decisions controlled by state or federal law, or handled by the superintendent and administrators. Common areas where questions arise