Legislators OK Summer School,
Background Check Bills

The full Assembly and the Senate Education Committee on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would allow districts to charge tuition for summer school. On Monday, the Assembly, by an 80-0 vote, also passed a measure that calls for criminal background checks of school board members.

The legislation that would allow districts to charge for summer school (A-2794/S-1974) is now set for a vote by the full Senate. On May 15, school board members at NJSBA’s Delegate Assembly set a goal to seek approval of legislation that would allow school districts to charge for summer programs. Currently, the state prohibits districts from charging for remedial or advanced summer classes.

If a student is from a household that is at or below the most recent federal poverty guidelines, the district would not be allowed to charge any tuition for summer programs, according to the bill. For all other students, the district could charge tuition ranging from 50 to 100 percent of tuition, based on the student’s household income.

Background Checks The Assembly also unanimously passed A-444, which would require school board members to undergo criminal history background checks and would disqualify members convicted of any crime that would disqualify a person from public school employment.

NJSBA supported the original statute requiring criminal background checks of prospective school employees. Based on its belief that students’ health and safety is a primary responsibility of school boards, it has supported expansion of that statute. In addition, current Association policy supports disclosure of past criminal convictions by current and prospective school board members. NJSBA has sought amendments that would make a background check requirement less burdensome for board members.

The Senate version, S-295, is in the Senate Education Committee.

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