Bill
Bill > A4419
NJ A4419
NJ A4419"School Children First Act"; establishes factors for determining compensation; requires principal consent for teacher placement; eliminates certain seniority rights.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires school districts to adopt a salary schedule or compensation policy for all teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals that is consistent with regulations promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The regulations will establish the individual's annual evaluation, assignment to a failing school, and teaching in a difficult to staff subject area as the primary factors that determine an individual's compensation, and years of experience cannot be a primary determinant of an individual's compensation. A district would only be allowed to provide additional compensation for education attainment if the commissioner has determined that the additional education will have a positive effect on student achievement and the teaching staff member is teaching or practicing in the subject area in which the additional academic credit or degree was attained. The bill stipulates that a teacher will not be assigned to the instructional staff of a school without the consent of the principal of the school. If a principal does not consent to the assignment of a teacher who is under tenure, the teacher may continue to receive compensation as the teacher and district seek to identify a principal who will consent to the placement. If such as placement is not found after 12 months, the teacher may be placed on permanent unpaid leave. The bill also requires that, in the case of a teacher, principal, assistant principal, or vice-principal, any dismissals resulting from a reduction in force must be made on the basis of effectiveness as determined by the evaluation system established under P.L.2012, c.26, rather than based on seniority. Last, the bill requires school districts to report the number of teachers in each school who received a rating of ineffective, partially effective, effective, and highly effective on the annual summative evaluation. The Commissioner of Education will provide a similar report for teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals in each school district.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "School Children First Act," mandates that school districts establish a salary schedule or compensation policy for teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals where compensation is primarily determined by an individual's annual evaluation, assignment to a failing school, or teaching in a subject area designated as difficult to staff, rather than solely by years of experience. Additional compensation for further education will only be allowed if the Commissioner of Education confirms it positively impacts student achievement and the staff member is working in the field of their advanced study. The bill also requires principals' consent for assigning teachers to their schools, with provisions for teachers under tenure who are not consented to, including potential placement on unpaid leave after 12 months. Furthermore, it shifts the basis for dismissals due to reductions in force from seniority to effectiveness, as determined by the established evaluation system, and requires school districts and the Commissioner of Education to report on teacher evaluation ratings.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/19/2026)
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/2026/A4419 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4419_I1.HTM |
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