Boards of education would have to release budget documentation showing the compensation their school administrators receive, according to a bill approved by the Senate Education Committee on June 8.

S-1876 (Karcher) also would require school boards to issue public notice regarding changes in administrators’ contracts and proof of compliance with state and federal income tax reporting rules.

Goal: Clarity The bill’s intent is to provide the public with clarity regarding contract terms negotiated between local boards of education and superintendents and other central office administrators. It is a response to a State Commission of Investigation report issued earlier this year that cited examples of administrator compensation that were not recorded in the usual salary and compensation areas and, therefore, was not easily visible to the public.

 Under S-1876, local boards would be required to hold public hearings at least 30 days prior to a scheduled vote on a contract. They also would have to post the terms and conditions of  proposed contracts on district Web sites.

NJSBA supports the legislation’s goals and hopes to work with the sponsors to address local board concerns with time lines and implementation. S-1876 now advances to the full Senate.

Contract Standards The education committee also heard testimony on S-1878 (Karcher/Turner), which would require the state Board of Education, in consultation with the New Jersey School Boards Association and other organizations, to create employment contract standards for superintendents, assistant superintendents, and school business administrators.

The new standards would include the types of compensation and benefits that would be deemed appropriate, as well as the proper duration of superintendents’ contracts.

Under the bill, the state Department of Education would exercise oversight of school administrator contracts and require that copies of the agreements be made available for public inspection at the appropriate county superintendent’s office.