ASSEMBLY, No. 1410

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 1996

By Assemblymen GREGG, BUCCO, Assemblywoman Murphy, Assemblyman Carroll and Assemblywoman Crecco

An Act concerning certain school board contracts and supplementing chapter 11 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. A board of education may contract with a public or private organization, other than a religious or sectarian organization, for the provision of education management services in one or more of the schools in the district. The services may include, but need not be limited to: the design, implementation and supervision of the educational program and program of instruction; curriculum development; staff training and development; selection, assignment and supervision of staff; facilities management; and business management.

    Any contract shall be for a term not to exceed five academic years. The contract shall include criteria by which the board may evaluate the performance of the contractor, provision for the review and assessment of the contractor's performance no less frequently than annually, and provision for the termination of the contract upon reasonable notice if the board determines that the contractor's performance is inadequate. A contract shall become effective upon filing with the Commissioner of Education, who shall reject for filing any contract which does not contain the provisions specified in this paragraph.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    For the purpose of providing innovative and cost-effective educational programs, this bill permits a board of education to contract with a public or private organization, other than a religious or sectarian organization, for the provision of education management services in one or more of the schools in the district. A contract, which would not exceed a term of five academic years, may include such services as design and supervision of the program of instruction, training and supervision of staff, and facilities and business management. The bill specifies that the contract must include criteria for an annual evaluation of the contractor and provide for termination upon reasonable notice if the performance is inadequate. A contract would become effective upon filing with the Commissioner of Education.

Permits school boards to contract with certain organizations for education management services.