Bill
Bill > S4488
NJ S4488
Revises requirements for proceedings concerning nonrenewal of nontenured staff members of district boards of education.
summary
Introduced
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
In Committee
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends the requirements for proceedings concerning the nonrenewal of nontenured officers and employees of school district boards of education. Under current law, these proceedings, often called "Donaldson hearings," are informal appearances that provide an opportunity for nontenured staff members for whom the chief school administrator has recommended nonrenewal to convince members of the board of education to offer reemployment. The bill provides nontenured staff members, whose employment contracts are not renewed, a right to a formal hearing before the applicable board of education to convince the board members to offer reemployment. The bill requires the presence of the school board attorney at all of these hearings, requires the nontenured staff member to provide copies of all written material in support of the case to the board attorney at least three days in advance of the hearing, and requires the decision of the board of education on whether to renew the contract of a nontenured staff member to be in writing. The written decision of the board is required to include the factual background of the case, as well as the reasons for the board's decision. In the case of hearings conducted remotely, the bill prohibits deactivation of video functionality by board members except during formal break periods. The purpose of this bill is to afford greater due process than provided under current law for nontenured staff who face the prospect of nonrenewal from positions of school district employment. Specifically, under this bill, boards of education would assume a more formalized process when conducting hearings concerning the nonrenewal of an employment contract for a nontenured staff member, including the requirement that the board memorialize its findings and conclusions at the conclusion of each hearing. It is the sponsor's belief that this requirement will minimize arbitrary decision making and will provide a more substantial record in the event of appeal.
AI Summary
This bill revises the procedures for nonrenewal of nontenured staff members in school districts, transforming what were previously informal "Donaldson hearings" into more structured formal hearings. Currently, nontenured staff members who face potential contract nonrenewal have an informal opportunity to persuade the school board to retain them, but this bill mandates a more robust due process. The new requirements include mandatory presence of the school board attorney at hearings, a requirement that the nontenured staff member provide written materials and witness lists to the board attorney at least three days before the hearing, and a mandate that the board's decision be comprehensive and in writing. The written decision must include a summary of facts, an explanation of the board's rationale, and specific points of agreement or disagreement with the original reasons for nonrenewal. Additionally, for remote hearings, the bill prohibits board members from deactivating video functionality except during formal breaks. The bill aims to minimize arbitrary decision-making, provide greater transparency in the nonrenewal process, and create a more substantial record in case of future appeals, thereby offering nontenured staff members a more meaningful opportunity to contest potential job loss.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 05/19/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4488 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4488_I1.HTM |
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