Jonathan M. Busch is a nationally recognized education law attorney and founder of The Busch Law Group LLC. Mr. Busch works with public and independent schools and counsels them on the laws, regulations and other mandates impacting students and their families, staff members, school leaders and administrators, and local school communities. He is regularly called upon by his clients to provide trainings and workshops to school staff on the ever-changing landscape of education law and is frequently consulted by State and federal leaders on a wide range of issues involving educational law and policy.

For over a decade, Mr. Busch has served as General Counsel to school districts throughout New Jersey. His lawyering style reflects a highly localized philosophy – it is essential for attorneys to have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of their client school boards’ needs and the communities they serve. Mr. Busch’s ideology is reflected in the practical advice he provides to his clients and the way in which he interacts with school board members, administrators, and school district residents. He recognizes that most education law issues present an opportunity for clients to choose from a variety of options and that decisions clients make, even when presented with similar facts, may differ, depending upon local circumstances.

Mr. Busch is often called upon to assist his school board clients to avert crises when unplanned circumstances could otherwise lead to damaging exposure and adverse public perception. Under tense conditions which often attract unwanted local, regional or even national attention, he is successful in counseling school boards and their administrators when it is necessary to address public and internal concerns through a variety of carefully tailored actions. Mr. Busch regularly assists his clients with successful meeting management, works with “divided” school boards, drafts statements, and guides effective use of the news media.

Mr. Busch is skilled in areas of school law including but not limited to, board governance, school ethics, labor and personnel matters, student matters, contracting, and institutional investigations. He has extensive experience with a variety of matters related to staff evaluations, tenure cases, student discipline, pupil records, and sexual harassment/affirmative action. He is highly regarded for his knowledge of the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, TEACHNJ (Tenure Reform Law), School Ethics Act, Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Open Public Records Act (OPRA), and the Fiscal Accountability, Efficiency and Budgeting Procedures (School Accountability Regulations).

Mr. Busch is often asked to speak before a variety of organizations throughout New Jersey including professional organizations, colleges and universities, and numerous other public and private organizations. He has been named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers® every year since 2020, New Jersey Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars eight times between 2009 and 2017 and as a New Leader of the Bar by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2013.

Mr. Busch earned a masters of arts degree in politics and education from Teachers College, Columbia University and he earned his bachelor of arts from University of Maryland. While at Rutgers Law School, Mr. Busch worked as an intern at the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey in Newark and served as a member of the Special Education Clinic and Constitutional Litigation Clinic.

Mr. Busch is active in a variety of community organizations in Metuchen, New Jersey and has served as its Mayor since 2017.

“How to Successfully Navigate Your Board Through the Referendum Process.” School Leader published by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). January/February 2017. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch and Douglas Silvestro, co-authors)

“Five Tips for Executing a Successful Meeting.” Leadership Exchange: Solutions for Student Affairs Management published by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Fall 2016. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch, author)

“When is it a Necessity? Why School Boards May Need to Invoke the Doctrine of Necessity.” School Leader published by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). September/October 2011. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch, author)

“Where’s the Money? The Search for Alternate Sources of Financial Support.” School Leader published by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). March/April 2011. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch, author)

“Diminishing the Risk of Political Contributions by Businesses with Public Contracts.” Cutting Edge published by the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA). May 2010. Enewsletter. (Jonathan M. Busch, co-author)

“Pay to Play in New Jersey: An Update on State and Local Requirements.” New Jersey Lawyer. November 2008. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch, co-author)

“OPRA Truly an ‘Exemptional’ Law.” New Jersey Lawyer. May 2008. Print. (Jonathan M. Busch, co-author)

New Jersey Association for School Administrators, The Power of Legal Information, “Reductions in Force – Impact on Tenure and Seniority: The Top Issues to Be Aware of and Pitfalls to Avoid” – April 18, 2024, Virtual Presentation

New Jersey Association for School Administrators, The Power of Legal Information, “Non-Renewal of School Staff: Rights of Certificated and Non-Certificated Staff: Procedures and Pitfalls of Non-Renewals” – May 2, 2024, Virtual Presentation

Middlesex County SBA Hybrid Meeting, “Legal Issues – The Role of the Board” – September 27, 2021, South Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership (NJEXCEL) Course, “Impact of the New Marijuana Law on Our Schools” – March 9, 2021, Virtual Class

New Jersey School Boards Association County School Boards Leadership Meeting, “Can You Require Employees and Students to Vaccinate for COVID Before Returning to School?” – February 8, 2021, Virtual Presentation

Middlesex County School Boards Association, “Can You Require Employees and Students to Vaccinate for COVID Before Returning to School?” – February 3, 2021, Virtual Presentation

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership (NJEXCEL) Course, “Impact of the Pandemic on Educational Administration” – October 29, 2020, Virtual Class

Abernathy MacGregor, “Communicating Tough Decisions in Education Amidst Ongoing Uncertainty” – October 14, 2020, Virtual Panel

Passaic County School Boards Association, “Public Meetings During a Pandemic” – October 5, 2020, Virtual Presentation

New Jersey School Boards Association, “School Law During the Pandemic: Executive Order 175” – August 18, 2020, Podcast

11th Legislative District Consortium, “Impact of COVID-19 on School Districts” – May 13, 2020, Virtual Presentation

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership (NJEXCEL) Course, “Role of the Board Attorney” – May 11, 2020, Virtual Class

Seton Hall University, College of Education & Human Services, School Law – North Brunswick/South Brunswick Cohort, “The Impact of Coronavirus on Education Law” – March 28, 2020, Virtual Class

Seton Hall University, College of Education & Human Services, School Law – North Brunswick/South Brunswick Cohort, “The Role of the Board Attorney” – February 1, 2020, South Brunswick, NJ

Monmouth University, School of Education, Principal’s Academy, “School Law Update and Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Parents” – December 7, 2019, West Long Branch, NJ

Seton Hall University, College of Education & Human Services, New Jersey Superintendent Study Council, “Social-Emotional, Mental, and Substance Abuse Issues Among School Employees” – November 14, 2019, South Orange, NJ

New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA), “Legal Update: Hot Topics That Affect You and Your District” – September 24, 2019, Lawrenceville, NJ

Morris County Association of School Administrators (MCASA) School Leader Summer Professional Development Meeting, “School District Crisis Management” – July 10, 2019, Parsippany, NJ

Rider University, School of Education, Education Administration Graduate Program, “School Law” – July 10, 2019, Lawrenceville, NJ

Monmouth University, School of Education, Educational Law and Policy Course, “Dealing with Difficult Parents” – June 22, 2019, West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth County Association of School Business Officials, “Ethics for Business Administrators” – May 16, 2019, Tinton Falls, NJ

Rider University, College of Education and Human Services, Department of Teacher Education, “The Importance of Education Law for Practitioners” – March 27, 2019, Lawrenceville, NJ

Institute for Professional Development, “OPRA Truly An ‘Exemptional’ Law” – January 11, 2019, New Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association, “Can I Do That? Should I Do That?” – January 8, 2019, Podcast

Monmouth University, School of Education, Principal’s Academy, “Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Staff and Social Media” – December 5, 2018, West Long Branch, NJ

Middlesex County School Boards Association, “Can I Do That? A Board Member’s Guide to Community Involvement” – October 3, 2018, South Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA), “Legal Update: Gender Equity and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying” – September 25, 2018, Monroe, NJ

Rider University, School of Education, Education Administration Graduate Program, “Representing Boards of Education” – July 12, 2018, Lawrenceville, NJ

Monmouth University, School of Education, Educational Law and Policy Course, “Students with Divorced or Separated Parents: Issues for School District Staff” – June 30, 2018, West Long Branch, NJ

Middlesex County School Boards Association, “Dealing With a Crisis” – February 13, 2018, Sayreville, NJ

Institute for Professional Development, “The Open Public Records Act: Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About What Everybody Wants to Know” – January 19, 2018, New Brunswick, NJ

Citizens Campaign, Perth Amboy Civic Trust, “Education Forum” – January 17, 2018, Perth Amboy, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 2017, “After the Fire: The Rebirth of the James Monroe Elementary School” – October 25, 2017, Atlantic City, NJ

Seton Hall University, College of Education & Human Services, New Jersey Superintendent Study Council, “Dealing With a Crisis” – October 19, 2017, South Orange, NJ

Monmouth University, School of Education, Superintendent’s Professional Development Academy, “Dealing With Irrational Stakeholders” – October 18, 2017, West Long Branch, NJ

Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, “Student Success Through School Justice Partnership” – October 4, 2017, Sayreville, NJ

Citizens Campaign, The Civic Summit 2017, “Powers of Citizens, School Board Members and the Superintendent” – August 5, 2017, New Brunswick, NJ

Rider University, School of Education, Education Administration Graduate Program, “Education and the Law” – July 14, 2017, Lawrenceville, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Spring 2017 School Law Forum, “Public Diplomacy” – June 14, 2017, Monroe, NJ

Kean University, College of Education, Educational Thought Leaders Conference, “TMI: When Professionals Don’t Always Act So Professional and How To Deal With It” – May 12, 2017, Union, NJ

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership (NJEXCEL) Course, “School Supervision” – April 20, 2017, North Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association, “School Law Today – Navigating the Board Through the Referendum Process” – March 3, 2017, Podcast

Middlesex County School Boards Association, “First Amendments Rights of Students and Staff” – February 2, 2017, Edison, NJ

Rider University, School of Education, Education Administration Graduate Program, “Education and the Law” – July 26, 2016, Lawrenceville, NJ

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., “A Measured Response to Media Reports of Student Abuse at Independent Schools: Opportunities and Challenges” – July 13, 2016, Webinar

New Jersey Association of School Administrators / New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Spring Leadership Conference, “Any Given Crisis: Tackling Your School Board’s Crisis One Play at a Time” – May 12, 2016, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Public Relations Forum, “Any Given Crisis: Tackling Your School Board’s Crisis One Play at a Time” – April 8, 2016, Trenton, NJ

Barnegat Township Board of Education, In-Service Presentation for Administrators, “Personnel and Student Issues” – July 28, 2015, Barnegat, NJ

Seton Hall University, College of Education & Human Services, Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy, “How to Use Your Board Attorney” – February 3, 2015, South Orange, NJ

Rider University, School of Education, Education Administration Graduate Program, “Education and the Law”– July 28, 2014, Lawrenceville, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association and Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey 2014 School Board Leadership Conference, “Effective Meetings” – February 8, 2014, Princeton, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 2013, “Meetings Gone Wild! Keeping Cool When the Temperature Rises at Your Board Meeting” – October 23, 2013, Atlantic City, NJ

Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Annual SNAP Conference, “School Civil Liability and Bullying” – April 4, 2013, Garfield, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 2012, “The McGovern v. Rutgers Decision: What it Means for your Board” – October 24, 2012, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey Hyperlocal News Association, “School Budgets A to Z” – November 17, 2011, New Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 2011, “Ten Alternative Sources for School Funding” – October 25, 2011, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Fall 2011 School Law Forum, “Creative Approaches to School District Revenue” – October 24, 2011, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Spring 2008 School Law Forum, “The New Jersey Open Public Records Act” – June 4, 2008, Monroe, NJ