Bill
Bill > A5007
NJ A5007
NJ A5007Establishes measures to provide employment stability for high school coaches employed in school districts.
summary
Introduced
02/07/2019
02/07/2019
In Committee
06/10/2019
06/10/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2020
01/08/2020
Introduced Session
2018-2019 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to provide a measure of employment stability for athletic coaches at public high schools. The bill provides that a head coach of an athletic activity at a public high school who is also a tenured employee of the school district must receive an employment contract for a three-year term, and an assistant coach must receive a two-year contract. At the conclusion of the term of the contract, the coach will be deemed reappointed for the appropriate term, unless the board notifies the coach in writing, at least 90 days before the expiration of the term of the contract, that he will not be reappointed at the end of the term. The bill also provides that an athletic coach at a public high school may be dismissed or reduced in compensation during the term of a contract only for just cause and may not be dismissed for arbitrary or capricious reasons. A coach who is dismissed or reduced in compensation must receive a notice for the basis of the action and have an opportunity to be heard. In the case of a coach who is also a tenured employee of the district, the bill provides that if the coach's dismissal is based on a poor annual evaluation, the coach must be provided one year in which to correct and overcome any identified deficiencies with appropriate district support.
AI Summary
This bill establishes measures to provide employment stability for high school coaches employed in school districts. The key provisions are:
1. Head coaches of athletic activities at public high schools who are tenured employees (or out-of-district employees) must receive 3-year employment contracts, while assistant coaches must receive 2-year contracts. These contracts will be automatically renewed unless the school board notifies the coach 90 days prior to the contract's expiration that they will not be reappointed.
2. Coaches can only be dismissed or have their compensation reduced during the contract term for just cause, and not for arbitrary, capricious, or unlawful reasons. Dismissed or reduced coaches must receive written notice of the basis for the action and have an opportunity for a hearing before the school board. If the dismissal is due to a poor annual evaluation, tenured coaches must be provided a year to address any identified deficiencies with district support.
3. The bill establishes a formal hearing process for coaches who are dismissed or have their compensation reduced, including the right to representation, present witnesses, and cross-examine school officials. The school board must then issue a written decision to affirm, reject, or modify the original determination.
4. Decisions by the school board can be appealed to the Commissioner of Education, and complaints can be filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights if the action is based on membership in a protected group.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading (on 06/10/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=A5007 |
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A9999/5007_R1.HTM |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A9999/5007_R1.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A9999/5007_I1.HTM |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A9999/5007_I1.PDF |
Loading...