Bill
Bill > A515
NJ A515
NJ A515"Empower the Principal Act"; eliminates local school superintendents and prohibits schools from having more than one assitant or vice-principal.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill, the "Empower the Principal Act," would eliminate the positions of superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent of schools. Under the bill, a board of education may not reappoint, or enter into a new employment contract for, a superintendent or an assistant superintendent. The executive county superintendents will assume the superintendents' current duties to exercise general supervision over all aspects of the schools and to keep informed, and report on, the condition and progress of the schools. The executive county superintendents will also have a seat on the boards of education of the districts of the county. In addition, the bill provides that the principal of each school in a district will have direct oversight over the school to which the principal is assigned. The bill prohibits a district from employing more than one vice-principal or assistant principal in each school. Following the bill's effective date, after the expiration of each superintendent's or assistant superintendent's contract, any duties, powers, or responsibilities to be performed by a superintendent or an assistant superintendent pursuant to any provision of law will be performed by the executive county superintendent; however, the bill gives the executive county superintendent authority to delegate any such duties, powers, or responsibilities to the school principals. The bill repeals the sections of law that specifically address the positions of superintendent and assistant superintendent. The bill also amends the sections of law permitting boards of education to share a superintendent or school business administrator to provide only for the sharing of a school business administrator.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Empower the Principal Act," aims to restructure school administration by eliminating the positions of superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools, meaning school boards will no longer be able to reappoint or hire for these roles. Instead, executive county superintendents will take over the duties of general supervision over schools and report on their progress, and will also have a non-voting seat on local school boards. The bill also mandates that each school principal will have direct oversight of their assigned school and restricts school districts from employing more than one vice-principal or assistant principal per school. Any duties previously held by superintendents will be transferred to executive county superintendents, who will have the authority to delegate these responsibilities to school principals. Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to allow school districts to share only school business administrators, not superintendents, and clarifies the process and oversight for such shared arrangements.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/bill-search/2026/A515 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/515_I1.HTM |
Loading...