Assembly OKs Superintendent Contract Restrictions  

Education Bills Pass Assembly

Lawmakers Closing in on Budget Deal

Web Extra: Legislators Seek $3.5 Billion for School Construction

Web Extra: An Update from the National School Boards Association: Urge Your U.S. Representatives to Co-Sponsor H.R. 6239

NJSBA’s June 12 Legislative Day

NJSBA Working on Long Range Plan

Deadline Set for DA Resolutions

Position Available: Policy Consultant  

NJSBA At Your Service

NJSBA Seeks Entries for 2008 Communications Competition

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The state Legislature’s response to recent controversy over superintendent compensation and retirement benefits, A-2975 (Cryan), passed the Assembly on Monday, 76-4.

The legislation would ban financial rewards at retirement except for accumulated or unused vacation or sick leave, each of which would be capped at $15,000. The restriction would apply to new and existing contracts for superintendents, assistant superintendents and school business administrators.

Released by the Assembly Education Committee on June 12, A-2975 now goes to the Senate. At present, there is no Senate version of the legislation.

NJSBA supports the intent of the bill, which is to preserve funds for the classroom, but is not confident that the courts will allow the measure to be applied retroactively.

Fiscally Responsible Agreements NJSBA has engaged in a series of efforts to help local school boards develop fiscally responsible superintendent contracts that attract and retain school leaders who can advance community education goals. Strategies include a joint study of superintendents’ compensation with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, which will result in recommendations that are fair and reasonable and meet the expectations of the citizens of New Jersey.

In addition, last week, NJSBA announced that it will expand the depth and scope of its training for school board members on superintendent contract development.

Constitutionality During Monday’s Assembly deliberations over A-2975, Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) said he supported the concept behind the bill, but expressed concern over the constitutionality of applying its restrictions to existing contracts. A-2975’s sponsor, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, indicated that he had not received a formal opinion on the constitutionality of the provision, but cited the need for a rapid response.

“I’ll take my chances and err on the side of taxpayers,” he said.

Under Microscope The continued uproar over superintendents’ contracts began after public disclosure of the Keansburg superintendent’s contract, which included a $740,876 retirement package. The largest part of the package was a $556,290 payout based exclusively on length of service; the remainder represented unused sick and vacation time.