In January, advocates urged the New Jersey State Board of Education (SBOE) to change recently adopted procedures for public input. The effort comes as the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is proposing regulatory changes in many areas, including special education. Advocates charged that the SBOE is making it more difficult for parents, educators, and other citizens to voice their opinions and concerns, and that fast-moving NJDOE rules are not getting enough consideration and review.
Last year, the SBOE voted to change longstanding policy on the ways in which it accepts public testimony at board meetings. Instead of a set start time of 3:00 PM, public comment is now taken whenever the regular meeting ends. Advocates testified they now must wait a considerable amount of time to be heard, and that often, only two or three of the 13-member board are present.
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