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May 29, 2008 • Vol. XXXI • No. 40
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Page| Superintendent Contracts: NJSBA and NJASA Issue Statement | |
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Dear School Board Members The New Jersey School Boards Association and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators are deeply concerned about the recent news of the Keansburg superintendent’s retirement package. Jointly, NJSBA and NJASA will form a panel to study superintendent compensation. The panel will be directed to provide the leadership of both organizations with recommendations on contract development that are fair and reasonable and meet the expectations of the citizens of New Jersey Our members – local school boards (in consultation with their attorneys) and chief school administrators – are the parties involved in negotiating employment contracts for superintendents. For local boards of education, the goal of this process is to employ dedicated school leaders who can advance community education goals. Doing so, however, must never violate the obligation to protect the community’s financial interests. Our organizations urge state leaders to avoid overreaction through unnecessary and restrictive legislation or regulation. Because of recent state law, the authority of executive county superintendents to review contracts and the efforts of local school boards, we do not anticipate seeing Keansburg-type provisions in future contracts. NJSBA and NJASA support full compliance with the law, consistent guidelines and complete public disclosure of contracts for all school district employees. State law and regulation are not the only solutions, however. At the local level, both school boards and chief school administrators have an obligation to develop fair, fiscally responsible agreements. Local boards of education have made advances in controlling contract costs through efforts such as capping the number of days eligible for compensation upon separation. In addition, administrators’ contracts often will reflect trends in collective bargaining, and NJSBA’s current data show that more than 70 percent of New Jersey teachers’ contracts include controls over payment for unused leave. But more needs to be done. Going forward our associations will undertake the following efforts: • NJSBA will expand the scope of its training on superintendent contract negotiations and make it part of the mandatory programming that the 2007 Accountability Act requires for experienced school board members. By doing so, we will reach approximately half of the state’s school board members each year. • NJSBA and NJASA will continue to work collaboratively in addressing non-compensation matters, including board-superintendent relations, education goal-setting and student achievement. These non-financial elements can enhance workplace quality and a board’s ability to retain qualified school administrators. • NJASA will provide its members with training on contract development and is currently revising its model contract to ensure compliance with recent statute and pending regulations. NJASA’s goal is fair and responsible employment agreements. • NJSBA will review the information it provides to school boards on superintendent contract negotiations and model contract provisions. NJSBA’s goal is to encourage school boards to develop agreements that meet district needs to attract and retain effective education leaders, while preserving the community’s financial interests. Our organizations are committed to effective and responsible leadership and management of New Jersey’s public school districts. We look forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature to advance these goals. Sincerely, Marie S. Bilik, Executive Director New Jersey Association of School Administrators |