N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 27

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-1 Appointment of teaching staff members; vote required

No teaching staff member shall be appointed, except by a recorded roll call majority vote of the full membership of the board of education appointing him. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-2 Employment without certificate prohibited

Any contract or engagement of any teaching staff member, shall cease and determine whenever the employing board of education shall ascertain by written notice received from the county or city superintendent of schools, or in any other manner, that such person is not, or has ceased to be, the holder of an appropriate certificate required by this title for such employment, notwithstanding that the term of such employment shall not then have expired. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-2.1 Employment without certification; utilization of institution not chartered as institution of higher education

A local board of education or county board of vocational education may, upon approval by the State Board of Education, employ as an instructor or administrator an individual who has special training in a particular subject matter field as evidenced by appropriate credentials or licensure and waive the certification requirements generally required of employees of such boards when the individual will be exclusively teaching or administering post-secondary degree or certificate courses and programs authorized under section 7 of P.L.1968, c. 180 (C. 18A:64B-11). Nothing contained herein shall diminish or otherwise affect the eligibility of any such instructor or administrator for tenure under any provision of this Title. L.1978, c. 42, s. 1, eff. June 19, 1978.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-2.2 Employment of teachers from foreign countries under certain conditions

3. a. A board of education may employ a teacher from a foreign country who is enrolled with an approved international agency which operates a teacher placement program in a subject area in which the State Board of Education has determined there is a contemporaneous critical shortage of certified teachers. Prior to the employment of a teacher from a teacher placement program in a subject area of critical shortage, the board of education shall first make a good faith effort to employ a State certified teacher and shall document its inability to hire an appropriately certified teacher with the Department of Education. b. A board of education may employ a teacher from a foreign country who is enrolled with an approved international agency which operates a teacher exchange program, permitting a teacher from a foreign country to directly substitute for the services of a permanently employed State certified teacher. L.2002,c.9,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-2.3 Authorization for employment of teachers from foreign countries, requirements for certification

4. a. A teacher from a foreign country shall be authorized to teach in the United States under an international teacher placement program or a teacher exchange program as authorized by any federal law, and shall be certified in accordance with the provisions of subsection b. of this section to teach for a period of no more than three years. b. In order for a teacher from a foreign country to be certified under this section, the teacher shall: (1) meet the eligibility requirements for a provisional instructional certificate or possess equivalent qualifications as determined by the State Board of Education; and (2) demonstrate the ability to speak, read and write the English language fluently, in accordance with criteria established by the State Board of Education. c. A teacher from a foreign country employed pursuant to this act shall be deemed to be an employee of the public school district, and as such shall be eligible to become a member of the bargaining unit defined in the applicable agreement with the public school district. L.2002,c.9,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3 Employment for school year

Teaching staff members may be employed and their salaries fixed and determined, under contracts, by a board of education for the period from July 1 of the year in which such board shall organize to the succeeding June 30, notwithstanding that the fiscal year of the district or of the municipality in which it is located is the calendar year. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.1 Evaluation of nontenured teaching staff

1. Every board of education in this State shall cause each nontenure teaching staff member employed by it to be observed and evaluated in the performance of her or his duties at least three times during each school year but not less than once during each semester. Said evaluations are to take place before April 30 each year. The evaluations may cover that period between April 30 of one year and April 30 of the succeeding year excepting in the case of the first year of employment where the three evaluations must have been completed prior to April 30. The number of required observations and evaluations may be reduced proportionately when an individual teaching staff member's term of service is less than one academic year. Each evaluation shall be followed by a conference between that teaching staff member and his or her superior or superiors. The purpose of this procedure is to recommend as to reemployment, identify any deficiencies, extend assistance for their correction and improve professional competence. L.1975,c.132,s.1; amended 1977,c.161,s.1; 1992,c.159,s.17; 1993,c.100,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.2 Teaching staff member; notice of termination; statement of reasons; request; written answer

Any teaching staff member receiving notice that a teaching contract for the succeeding school year will not be offered may, within 15 days thereafter, request in writing a statement of the reasons for such nonemployment which shall be given to the teaching staff member in writing within 30 days after the receipt of such request. L.1975, c. 132, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.3 Rules

The provisions of this act shall be carried out pursuant to rules established by the State Board of Education. L.1975, c. 132, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.4 Inapplicability of act to teaching staff employees and administrative officers of county colleges

Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S. 18A:64A-13, the provisions of the act hereby supplemented shall be inapplicable to teaching staff employees and administrative officers of county colleges. L.1977, c. 161, s. 2, eff. July 1, 1978.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.5 Teaching positions of current school year, data submission deadline.

1. a. A school district shall annually submit to the Commissioner of Education, no later than October 15, information on teaching positions in the current school year, including the number of vacant teaching positions the number of new teaching positions, the number of teaching positions that were eliminated, and the anticipated number of teacher retirements. The information shall be submitted in a manner to be prescribed by the commissioner. b. The Executive Leadership Council of the New Jersey Education to Earnings Data System shall define the vacancy data elements to be submitted by school districts pursuant to subsection a. of this section. L.2021, c.394, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.6 Public school teacher retention rates, data submission deadline.

2. a. A school district shall annually submit to the Commissioner of Education, no later than September 1, information on public school teacher retention that includes: (1) the number of teachers who left employment with the district during the prior school year; (2) the reason why those teachers left employment with the district, including dismissal, non-renewal of a contract, a reduction in force, employment in another school district or a nonpublic school, employment in another field, relocation to another state, or retirement; (3) the characteristics of the teachers who left the district, including age, sex, race, and tenure status; and (4) such other information the commissioner deems appropriate. b. The commissioner shall annually compile the data submitted by school districts pursuant to subsection a. of this section in a report that details the Statewide, county, and district trends in teacher retention and includes any recommendations that the commissioner may have on State actions that may be initiated to improve teacher retention among various demographic groups. The commissioner shall submit the report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). L.2021, c.393, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-3.7 Teacher workforce projections report.

3. a. Within six months of the effective date of this act, the Executive Leadership Council of the New Jersey Education to Earnings Data System shall issue a report on teacher workforce projections for the State for the following two years using data provided by the Department of Education. The department shall provide any data necessary for the report within three months of the effective date of this act. b. Following the issuance of its initial report pursuant to subsection a. of the section, the Executive Leadership Council of the New Jersey Education to Earnings Data System shall issue by March 1 of each year, a report on teacher workforce projections for the subsequent three to five years. The report shall include, but not be limited to, information on: (1) the teaching positions, by certification area, in high demand in the State and existing vacancies; (2) the number of bilingual teachers needed to provide adequate limited English proficiency programming to students in the State; (3) the number of computer science teachers needed to provide access to computer science coursework to all students in the State; (4) the classes and programs that may be eliminated within the next three years; and (5) the areas in which teachers and school leaders should be prepared so that they can ensure students are ready for the future economy. c. The Executive Leadership Council of the New Jersey Education to Earnings Data System shall report to the Legislature on January 15 and July 15 of each year on the progress of the annual teacher workforce projection report. L.2021, c.393, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-4 Power of boards of education to make rules governing employment of teacher, etc.; employment thereunder

Each board of education may make rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of this title, governing the employment, terms and tenure of employment, promotion and dismissal, and salaries and time and mode of payment thereof of teaching staff members for the district, and may from time to time change, amend or repeal the same, and the employment of any person in any such capacity and his rights and duties with respect to such employment shall be dependent upon and governed by the rules in force with reference thereto. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-4a Definitions relative to employment of novice teachers; benefits of employment.

2. a. As used in this section: "Certificate of eligibility" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and applicable test requirements for teacher certification; "Certificate of eligibility with advanced standing" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic and test requirements for teacher certification and complete a State-approved college professional education preparation program; "Novice teacher" means any teacher working under a valid certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or provisional certificate who has not yet been issued a standard instructional certificate; "Provisional certificate" means a certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who hold either a certificate of eligibility or a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing and are employed as part of a State-approved district training program or residency leading to standard certification. b. A novice teacher employed by a board of education under a valid certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or a provisional certificate shall be deemed to be a teaching staff member for all purposes and shall be entitled to all benefits and other emoluments of employment provided by law and regulation to teaching staff members. A novice teacher shall also receive the terms and conditions of employment provided to teaching staff members in the employing district under the collective bargaining agreement including, but not limited to, salary, sick leave, and health insurance benefits. L.2005,c.144,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-4.1 Board of Education, procedure for certain personnel actions; recommendation of chief school administrator

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a. A board of education shall appoint, transfer or remove a certificated or non-certificated officer or employee only upon the recommendation of the chief school administrator and by a recorded roll call majority vote of the full membership of the board. The board shall not withhold its approval for arbitrary and capricious reasons. b. A board of education shall renew the employment contract of a certificated or non-certificated officer or employee only upon the recommendation of the chief school administrator and by a recorded roll call majority vote of the full membership of the board. The board shall not withhold its approval for arbitrary and capricious reasons. A nontenured officer or employee who is not recommended for renewal by the chief school administrator shall be deemed nonrenewed. Prior to notifying the officer or employee of the nonrenewal, the chief school administrator shall notify the board of the recommendation not to renew the officer's or employee's contract and the reasons for the recommendation. An officer or employee whose employment contract is not renewed shall have the right to a written statement of reasons for nonrenewal pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1975, c.132 (C.18A:27-3.2) and to an informal appearance before the board. The purpose of the appearance shall be to permit the staff member to convince the members of the board to offer reemployment. The chief school administrator shall notify the officer or employee of the nonrenewal pursuant, where applicable, to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1971, c.436 (C.18A:27-10). c. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the appointment, transfer, removal, renewal or nonrenewal of a person who is a treasurer of school moneys, election officer, board auditor, board attorney or board secretary, except a board secretary who performs business administration functions. L.1995,c.125,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-5 Written contracts of employment required

Every contract between a board of education which has not made rules governing such employment and any teaching staff member shall be in writing, in triplicate, signed by the president and secretary of the board of education and by such person. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-6 Contents of contracts

Each such contract shall specify: 1. The date when the person shall begin such employment; 2. The kind and grade of certificate held by him and the date upon which the certificate will expire; 3. The salary at which he is employed, which shall be payable in equal semimonthly or monthly installments, as the board shall determine, not later than five days after the first and fifteenth day of each month in case of semimonthly installments and not later than five days after the close of the month in the case of monthly installments while the school is in session, a month being construed, unless otherwise specified in the contract, to be 20 school days or four weeks of five school days each; and 4. Such other matters as may be necessary to a full and complete understanding of the contract. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-7 Contract forms

The commissioner shall prepare and distribute blank forms for such contracts. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-8 Filing of contracts

One copy of each such contract so entered into shall be filed with the board, one copy with the person employed thereunder and one copy with the superintendent of schools if there be one, otherwise with the county superintendent. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-9 Teaching after notice of termination of contract

If the employment of a teaching staff member is terminated on notice, pursuant to a contract entered into with the board of education, it shall be optional with the board whether or not the member shall continue to perform his duties during the period between the giving of the notice and the date of termination of employment thereunder. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-10 Written offer or notice to nontenure teachers

1. On or before May 15 in each year, each nontenured teaching staff member continuously employed by a board of education since the preceding September 30 shall receive either a. A written offer of a contract for employment from the board of education for the next succeeding year providing for at least the same terms and conditions of employment but with such increases in salary as may be required by law or policies of the board of education, or b. A written notice from the chief school administrator that such employment will not be offered. L.1971,c.436,s.1; amended 1979,c.23,s.4; 1992,c.159,s.18; 1993,c.100,s.2; 1995,c.125,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-10.1 Findings, declarations relative to teaching paraprofessionals.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that as school districts that receive federal funding under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s.6301 et seq.) come under greater pressure to meet standards and demonstrate higher student performance, teachers in those districts are being forced to focus more on curriculum and student test preparation. In response to this pressure, the paraprofessionals that assist teachers are assuming greater responsibility for supporting students in the classroom and the school environment. Paraprofessionals perform a critically important role in providing a thorough and efficient education to the State's public school students. It is therefore fitting and proper to establish measures to enhance employment stability and promote professional development for these individuals. L.2009, c.227, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-10.2 Contract, written notice relative to employment of paraprofessional.

2. a. As used in this section, "paraprofessional" means an individual who is employed in a school district as a school aide or classroom aide who assists a teaching staff member with the supervision of pupil activities. b. On or before May 15 in each year, a paraprofessional continuously employed since the preceding September 30 in a school district that receives funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s. 6301 et seq.) shall receive either: (1) a written offer of a contract for employment from the board of education for the next succeeding year providing for at least the same terms and conditions of employment but with such increases in salary as may be required by law or policies of the board of education; or (2) a written notice from the chief school administrator that employment will not be offered. L.2009, c.227, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-10.3 Dismissal, reduction in compensation; conditions.

3. a. As used in this section, "paraprofessional" means an individual who is employed in a school district as a school aide or classroom aide who assists a teaching staff member with the supervision of pupil activities. b. A paraprofessional employed in a school district that receives funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s.6301 et seq.) shall 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 shall receive notice of the basis for the dismissal or reduction in compensation and have an opportunity to be heard. c. Nothing is this section shall be construed to grant tenure to a paraprofessional, interfere with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, or affect any other right or remedy that may be available to a school district or paraprofessional pursuant to law. L.2009, c.227, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-10.4 Student teaching performed in district of employment.

4. a. As used in this section, "paraprofessional" means an individual who is employed in a school district as a school aide or classroom aide who assists a teaching staff member with the supervision of pupil activities. b. Prior to the beginning of the first full academic year following the enactment of P.L.2009, c.227 (C.18A:27-10.1 et seq.), a regionally-accredited institution of higher education offering coursework for a New Jersey instructional certificate shall adopt policies and procedures to allow a student who is enrolled in a teacher preparation program offered by the institution and who is a paraprofessional employed in a school district that receives funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s.6301 et seq.) to perform his student teaching experience in the district in which he is employed. The institution shall enter into an agreement with the district in which the paraprofessional is employed to authorize the student teaching. c. Prior to the beginning of the first full school year following the enactment of P.L.2009, c.227 (C.18A:27-10.1 et seq.), a school district that receives funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s.6301 et seq.) shall adopt policies and procedures to allow a paraprofessional who is employed by the district and who is enrolled in a teacher preparation program at a regionally-accredited institution of higher education to perform his student teaching experience in the district. The district shall enter into an agreement with the institution of higher education in which the paraprofessional is enrolled to authorize the student teaching experience in the district. d. A school district that receives funding under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. s.6301 et seq.) shall provide, if feasible, a paraprofessional who is student teaching in the district pursuant to this section with a modified work schedule that enables the paraprofessional to complete the student teaching experience while employed as a paraprofessional. L.2009, c.227, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-11 Failure to give timely notice of termination as offer of employment for next succeeding year

Should any board of education fail to give to any nontenure teaching staff member either an offer of contract for employment for the next succeeding year or a notice that such employment will not be offered, all within the time and in the manner provided by this act, then said board of education shall be deemed to have offered to that teaching staff member continued employment for the next succeeding school year upon the same terms and conditions but with such increases in salary as may be required by law or policies of the board of education. L.1971, c. 436, s. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1972.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-12 Notice of acceptance; deadline

If the teaching staff member desires to accept such employment he shall notify the board of education of such acceptance, in writing, on or before June 1 in which event such employment shall continue as provided for herein. In the absence of such notice of acceptance the provisions of this article shall no longer be applicable. L.1971, c. 436, s. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1972. Amended by L.1979, c. 23, s. 5, eff. Feb. 8, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:27-13 Inapplicability of act to teaching staff employees of county colleges

Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S. 18A:64A-13 the provisions of this act shall not apply to teaching staff employees of county colleges. L.1971, c. 436, s. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1972.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026