Call for Speakers

NJASEPS Business Office & Human Resources Symposium

Share your expertise. Strengthen our community.

NJASEPS is seeking knowledgeable and engaging speakers for our upcoming Business Office & Human Resources Symposium on Monday, April 19, 2027 at The Palace at Somerset Park.

This symposium will bring together professionals working in business operations and human resources within specialized education to share knowledge, explore relevant topics, and learn practical strategies they can bring back to their schools and organizations.

We invite NJASEPS members, industry professionals, and community partners with expertise relevant to these fields to submit a proposal to present.

Symposium Overview

The symposium will feature two dedicated learning tracks running concurrently:

Business Office Track: Sessions focused on the financial, operational, and administrative responsibilities of special education schools and organizations.

Human Resources Track: Sessions focused on the workforce, employee relations, recruitment, retention, compliance, and other HR priorities relevant to specialized education.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in sessions tailored to their professional responsibilities and interests.

The program will also feature a special guest plenary presentation, bringing attendees together for a shared learning experience.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome proposals from professionals with relevant experience and expertise, including:

• Business office and finance professionals
• Human resources professionals
• School administrators and operational leaders
• Legal, accounting, benefits, and compliance professionals
• Consultants and industry experts serving specialized education
• NJASEPS members and community partners with knowledge to share

Topics of Interest

We are interested in practical, engaging presentations that address the current challenges, responsibilities, and emerging priorities of business office and HR professionals working in specialized education. Your proposal should focus on one or more of the specific topics listed below. 

Business Office Topics

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage for Schools

Provide an overview of the insurance protections schools should consider and how to identify potential coverage gaps.

Potential areas include:

• General liability
• Property and business interruption
• Professional liability
• Employment practices liability
• Cybersecurity coverage
• Workers’ compensation

Please emphasize less obvious exposures and common gaps in school insurance coverage.

Artificial Intelligence in Business Office Operations

Explore practical applications of AI in school business offices.

• Potential uses include:
  • Developing or reviewing employee handbooks.
  • Documentation and bookkeeping.
  • Improving efficiency and personalizing administrative processes.
  • Creating, managing and analyzing spreadsheets. 

Consider discussing appropriate safeguards, confidentiality, and limitations when using AI.

Managing Utility Costs & Identifying Cost-Saving Opportunities

Explore practical strategies for managing rising utility expenses, reducing operating costs, and identifying potential savings for special education schools.

Potential areas include:

• Evaluating third-party energy suppliers and energy procurement options
• Assessing the costs and potential return on investment of energy-efficiency upgrades, such as LED lighting and motion-activated systems
• Identifying grants or funding opportunities for private schools to support energy-efficiency improvements
• Understanding E-Rate funding, including eligibility, application management, and the costs and benefits of using an outside agency
• Sharing successful cost-saving strategies and lessons learned from other schools

Please emphasize practical recommendations, real-world experiences, and actionable strategies that help schools control expenses and make informed financial decisions.

Potential Human Resources Topics

Employee Terminations and Litigation Risk

There is interest in a deeper, practical session on handling difficult termination decisions while minimizing legal exposure and maintaining staff morale.

Potential discussion areas:

• When to terminate an employee versus allowing additional time for improvement.
• Managing new employees who demonstrate attendance or performance concerns shortly after hire.
• Determining appropriate grounds for termination.
• The importance of documentation and progressive discipline.
• Timing and logistics of termination meetings.
• Managing complicated or unusual circumstances.
• Balancing the risks of retaining a problematic employee against the risks of termination.
• Identifying the least risky course of action in challenging situations.

Suggested Format: A scenario-based session featuring three or more realistic HR situations, with guidance on how to assess the circumstances, document decisions, and determine appropriate next steps.

Scenarios should address different levels of documentation, performance concerns, and potential legal complications.

Complex HR Scenarios and Practical Guidance

• Focus on applying employment requirements to real-world circumstances where the appropriate response may not be immediately clear.
• Explore how to make defensible decisions and recognize when additional guidance is needed.

Family Leave, Disability and Workplace Accommodations

An in-depth session focused on complicated leave and accommodation situations, including the gray areas that create potential liability for schools.

Potential discussion areas:

• Intermittent family leave.
• Overlapping leave and disability considerations.
• Reasonable accommodations.
• Managing complex or competing workplace needs.
• Avoiding common mistakes that expose schools to legal risk.

Presentation Expectations

Selected speakers should be prepared to deliver an informative and engaging session tailored to professionals working in specialized education.

Presentations should:

• Provide practical information and actionable takeaways.
• Reflect current practices, relevant expertise, and applicable guidance.
• Encourage participant engagement, discussion, or questions where appropriate.
• Be relevant to the unique operational and workforce needs of special education schools and agencies.

Submission Details

📅 Deadline to Apply: Monday, December 14, 2026

Proposals will be reviewed by NJASEPS, and selected presenters will be contacted with additional information regarding the program and scheduling.

Please reach out to Gianna McCloskey, NJASEPS Program Manager, with any questions.giannam@njaseps.org

(609) 890-1400 opt. 4 (office)

(609) 238-9958 (cell)