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The bill for in-state tuition for undocumented students stalled and was not brought up for a vote...parent notification bill signed into to requiring local schools inform parents of contaminated soil located in district grounds withing 10 days...bill re: electricians that can perform work in school districts [among the State and other local units] " Installation, repair or the ...school district on the premises or property owned or occupied by [other units] ... or school district; provided that a regular employee of the [other units] or school district performing this work is a qualified journeyman electrician registered pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2001, c.21 (C.45:5A-11.1) 2, or holds any civil service title with a job description which includes electrical work pursuant to the “Civil Service Act,”......Bill determining certain requirements for district personnel to get tuition reimbursement for higher education programs...Legislation to require local Title 1 districts to treat paraprofessional (teacher aides, etc.) as full time staff - e.g., notify in May if intention is to hire for the subsesquent year - as well as procedures to encourage paraprofessionals to further their education to become teachers, where districts must support such staff and hold their positons open for them in addition to providing student teaching positions in district...this bill surfaced at the last minute with no senate companion bill, put was moved through at the last minute as 'emergency' legislation...for more on bills that were voted on yesterday, go to http://www.njleg.us.state.nj
A420 – passed both houses (Senate on last session of Lame Duck, January 11, 2010)
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 420
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 4, 2009
The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 420 1R.
The purpose of this bill is to provide a measure of employment stability and promote professional growth for paraprofessionals employed in school districts that receive funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The bill defines a paraprofessional as a school aide or classroom aide who assists a teaching staff member with the supervision of pupil activities.
The bill provides that a paraprofessional employed in a Title I school district may be dismissed or reduced in compensation during the term of a contract only for just cause and may not be dismissed for arbitrary or capricious reasons. A paraprofessional who is dismissed or reduced in compensation must receive a notice for the basis of the action and have an opportunity to be heard.
The bill also provides that on or before May 15 of each year, a paraprofessional in a Title I district who has been continuously employed since the preceding September 30 will receive either a written offer of a contract for employment from the board of education for the next succeeding school year, or a written notice from the chief school administrator that employment will not be offered.
Finally, the bill provides that in the case of a paraprofessional who is employed in a Title I school district and is enrolled in a teacher preparation program in an institution of higher education, the institution must adopt procedures to allow the paraprofessional to perform his student teaching in the district in which he is employed. The bill also directs the school district to adopt similar procedures, as well as to provide the paraprofessional, if feasible, with a modified work schedule that enables him to complete the student teaching experience while employed as a paraprofessional.
As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 1773 with committee amendments, which also was reported by the committee on this same date.
A3472 Establishes a permanent Interdistrict Public School Choice Program.
2nd Reading in the Assembly
Identical Bill Number: S2982
Jasey, Mila M. as Primary Sponsor
Voss, Joan M. as Primary Sponsor
Moriarty, Paul D. as Primary Sponsor
Munoz, Nancy F. as Co-Sponsor
DiMaio, John as Co-Sponsor
O'Scanlon, Declan J., Jr. as Co-Sponsor
11/17/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
1/4/2010 Transferred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
1/4/2010 Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
S2127 Requires certain conditions be met in order for school districts to provide their employees with tuition assistance for coursework or additional compensation upon acquisition of a degree.
Passed Assembly
SSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 2127
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JANUARY 4, 2010
The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2127 (1R) with committee amendments.
As amended by committee, this bill requires that in order for a board of education to provide its employees tuition assistance for academic coursework at an institution of higher education or additional compensation upon the acquisition of additional academic credits or completion of a degree program at an institution of higher education:
1) The institution of higher education must be a “duly authorized institution of higher education,” which is defined in State law at section 3 of P.L.1986, c.87 (C.18A:3-15.3);
2) The employee must obtain approval from the superintendent of schools prior to enrollment in any course for which tuition assistance is sought. In the event that the superintendent denies the approval, the employee may appeal the denial to the board of education. In the case of a superintendent of schools, the approval must be obtained from the board of education; and,
3) The course or degree must be related to the employee’s current or future job responsibilities.
The bill provides that a board of education may establish more stringent requirements for the provision of tuition assistance or additional compensation than are set forth in the bill.
The bill would become effective on July 1 of the school year next following the date of enactment. However, the provisions of the bill will not be deemed to impair an obligation set forth in any collective negotiations agreement or any individual contract of employment in effect on that July 1.
The committee amended the bill to eliminate certain requirements for the payment of tuition assistance by a school district including the attainment of a minimum grade point average by the employee, the amount of tuition assistance per credit to be paid by a school district, and the payment of tuition assistance by the school district only upon completion of the course and confirmation of tuition payment by the employee. The committee amendments also eliminate: 1) the employee’s obligation to reimburse the district for the tuition assistance if the employee leaves the district within one year of the payment of that assistance; and 2) the requirement that the employee obtain prior approval from the superintendent for the payment of additional compensation upon the acquisition of additional academic credits or completion of a degree program. The committee amendments also authorize an employee to appeal to the board of education a superintendent’s denial of tuition assistance.
As reported by committee, this bill is identical to the Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill Nos. 3671 and 3228, which also was reported by the committee on this same date.
A3317: Electrician bill/ Passed both Houses 1-11-10/Governor Corzine will sign with the following conditional veto:
“ …. I am advised, however, that it would be preferable and consistent with the intent of the legislation to use additional criteria to clarify that the bill also would exempt employees who have completed a federally approved electrical apprenticeship program, and thus have received appropriate training and education in this field. For this reason, I recommend that this bill also exempt individuals employed by a State authority who have completed an electrical apprenticeship program approved by the Office of Apprenticeship of the United States Department of Labor.
Accordingly, I herewith return Assembly Bill No. 3317 (Second Reprint) and recommend that it be amended as follows:
Page 3, Section 1, Line 15: After “thereto” insert “, or any employee of a State authority who has completed an apprenticeship training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, that deals specifically with electrical work, and is of a minimum duration of three years”
Respectfully,
s/ Jon S. Corzin [seal] Governor
Major aspect changed bya A3317: "... Installation, repair or maintenance performed by regular employees of the State or of a municipality, county, or school district on the premises or property owned or occupied by the State, a municipality, county, or school district; provided that a regular employee of the State, municipality, county or school district performing this work is a qualified journeyman electrician registered pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2001, c.21 (C.45:5A-11.1) 2, or holds any civil service title with a job description which includes electrical work pursuant to the “Civil Service Act,” N.J.S.11A:1-1 et seq., or regulations adopted pursuant thereto 3, or any employee of a State authority who has completed an apprenticeship training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, that deals specifically with electrical work, and is of a minimum duration of three years3 .
Any regular employee of the State, or of a municipality, county or school district who has submitted his registration application to the board for registration as a qualified journeyman electrician shall be permitted to continue to perform work pursuant to this subsection until such time as the board acts upon his application. Any applicant whose registration application is not approved by the board shall no longer be permitted to perform electrical work pursuant to this subsection2 .1.."
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Education
01/11/2010
SCALERA & LAMPITT BILL TO REQUIRE SCHOOL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS SIGNED INTO LAW
Legislation Assembly members Fred Scalera and Pamela Lampitt sponsored to require school security drills to improve emergency preparedness was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. State law had required most public schools to conduct two fire drills per month, but their law (A-3002) aims to improve readiness at public and private schools by requiring one monthly fire drill and one monthly security drill. A security drill will practice procedures that respond to emergencies such as a lockdown or an active shooter. "Many schools haven't practiced their security plans because there was no law to require them to do so," said Scalera, (D-Bergen, Essex, Passaic) chairman of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. "That's a problem. History has taught us that school security drills can be vitally important and lifesaving." Read
01/11/2010
WAGNER & VOSS BILL TO REQUIRE PROMPT NOTICE TO PARENTS OF CONTAMINATED SOIL FOUND ON SCHOOL GROUNDS SIGNED INTO LAW Law Stems from Incident at Paramus Middle School
Legislation Assemblywomen Connie Wagner and Joan Voss sponsored to require prompt parental notification of contaminated soil found on school property was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The law stems from a 2007 incident in Paramus in which the school district waited several months before notifying parents that pesticide-laden soil had been discovered on the grounds of West Brook Middle School. "This law is common sense, but sadly it's very apparently needed," said Wagner (D-Bergen). "Schools shouldn't have to be told to provide prompt notification to parents about toxins being found on school grounds, but unfortunately history shows we have to take this step to protect our children." Read
01/11/2010
CRYAN BILL EXTENDING STUDENT COMMUNITY SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM CLEARS ASSEMBLY
The Assembly today passed legislation panel Assemblyman Joseph Cryan sponsored to extend and expand a previous pilot program that required high school students to undertake community service programs as a condition of graduation. "High school is a time to prepare young people to become responsible adults and citizens," said Cryan. "Community service projects take civics education outside the classroom and can give our young people valuable experience they can use throughout their lives to leave their mark on society." Read
01/11/2010
EVANS/WISNIEWSKI TEEN DRINKING TASK FORCE LEGISLATION PASSES ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly today passed legislation Assemblywoman Elease Evans and Assemblyman John Wisniewski sponsored to create a special state task force to look at the issue of underage drinking at New Jersey's colleges and universities. Read
01/11/2010
CRYAN BILL CRACKING DOWN ON USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY FOR BOGUS DEGREES PASSES ASSEMBLY
Legislation Assemblyman Joseph Cryan sponsored to ensure teachers and school administrators do not abuse school district paid-for tuition assistance programs by attaining bogus degrees was today passed by the full Assembly. "The use of school money to buy a fraudulent degree from a diploma mill is not only academically and professionally dishonest but slap in the face of taxpayers," said Cryan. Read
