SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 371

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 2, 1996

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 371. 

      This bill substitutes for the present career tenure of administrative personnel in the public schools a period of tenure for the duration of a contract between the board of education and the administrator. The contract would be for a term of not less than three nor more than five years. The bill provides for the automatic renewal of the administrator's contract for successive periods of the same term as specified in the previous contract. The board also has the option to terminate employment at the end of a particular contract period on not less than 60 days' notice.

      Under the bill, administrative personnel include individuals in the positions of assistant superintendent of schools, secretary of a board of education, assistant secretary of a board of education, school business administrator, business manager of a board of education, principal, vice-principal, assistant principal, director, supervisor, and any other position requiring the supervisory endorsement.

      The bill would not apply to an individual in an administrative position who is under tenure when the bill is enacted, and an individual who accepts an administrative position in a district would retain all tenure rights accrued in positions previously held, other than in an administrative position. Finally, the provisions of the bill would not impair the validity of any contract entered into prior to the approval of the bill.

      The section of law repealed by the bill provides career tenure for a person who has tenure as a secretary or business manager and who is appointed a school business administrator.

      This bill was prefiled for introdution in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported the bills includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.