School District Operations

2004 Discussion paper presented, which led to combining three sets of rules School Districts (6:3), Thorough and Efficient System of Free Public Schools (6:8) and Paraprofessional Approval (6A:9-7), into a new chapter, School District Operations (6A:32)

August 3, 2005 N.J.A.C. 6A:32 adopted

November 13, 2013 - Amendments adopted, which included Governor’s Task Force recommendations

May 7, 2014 First discussion of readoption with amendments – necessary since code will sunset in September

Definition for Statement of Assurance (6A:32-2.1) Broaden to mean any SOA that the chief school administrator must submit to Department affirming compliance with certain rules in this chapter

Access to Personnel Records (6A:32-4.3) Align with TEACH NJ, which exempts the evaluations of employees and supervisors from Open Public Records Act requirements

Seniority (6A:32-5)

5.1 (b) – Add language “except for leaves of absence or suspension from confirmed discipline,” to clarify that a district board of education cannot credit leaves of absence or suspension from confirmed discipline, when making a seniority determination

5.1(e) & (g) - Add clarifying references to Professional Licensure and Standards (N.J.A.C. 6A:9)

School Employee Physical Examinations (6A:32-6) Align more closely with law regarding physical exams (N.J.S.A. 18A:16-2)Provide separate requirements for physical and

psychiatric examinations of current board employees and candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment

Allow districts to include testing for use of controlled or dangerous substances in physical exams of candidates for employment

Limit access of medical files to only the district’s medical inspector and officers from the State health department

Student Records (6A:32-7) Delete reference to “emancipated minor” at 7.1

because the term is included in the definition of “adult student”

Create a new provision -7.5(e)13 - to increase student records access by State or local child welfare agency caseworkers when they are legally responsible for the student; align rules with FERPA amendments -

Create a new provision – 7.6(a)4i - notice to parent is not required when parent is party to court proceeding involving child abuse/neglect or dependency matters; align with FERPA

Comply with the High School Voter registration Law (N.J.S.A. 18A:36-27)

Distribute voter registration materials (required by law)

Statement of Assurance affirming compliance with this rule, to be completed by school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools and private agencies (DOE requirement to ensure compliance)