Legislative Update - Aug. 16, 2010

SICK LEAVE CAP:  S-2220 (Sarlo) legislation which would limit sick leave pay at $15,000 and vacation leave carry-forward for school employees was heard for discussion only in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  NJEA testified in opposition to the legislation because of its impact on collective bargaining, the impact on further exodus of school employees, the potential of bulk payouts by school districts already cash strapped and the serious strain on an already overtaxed pension system.  The legislation will be again coming before the committee for a vote to release in September.

CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BILL:  S-2198 (Ruiz, Cunningham) was heard for discussion only in the Senate Education Committee.  The bill would establish Rutgers as an additional charter school authorizer and make other changes to the charter school law, including allowing virtual charter schools and for-profit charter school managers.  NJEA was invited to give testimony on the bill.  NJEA opposed the provisions allowing virtual charter schools, for-profit companies, and charter school applications “at any time” during the year.  Furthermore, NJEA called for stricter standards to ensure that charter schools could not “shop around” for a favorable decision and to remove any potential conflicts of interest.  Members of the committee expressed interest in working with NJEA on amending the bill.  Since the bill was heard for discussion only, no vote was taken and the bill did not move.