An Act concerning certain benefits for school district employees and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.18A:6-8.5 Requirements for receipt of employee tuition assistance, additional compensation.
1. In order for a board of education to provide to an employee tuition assistance for coursework taken 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:
a. The institution shall be a duly authorized institution of higher education as defined in section 3 of P.L.1986, c.87 (C.18A:3-15.3);
b. The employee shall 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, the approval shall be obtained from the board of education; and
c. The tuition assistance or additional compensation shall be provided only for a course or degree related to the employee’s current or future job responsibilities.
C.18A:6-8.6 Construction of act.
2. Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the authority of a board of education to establish more stringent requirements for the provision of tuition assistance or additional compensation than the requirements set forth in section 1 of P.L.2010, c.13 (C.18A:6-8.5).
3. This act shall take effect on July 1 of the school year next following the date of enactment, except that this act shall not be deemed to impair an obligation set forth in a collective negotiations agreement or an individual contract of employment in effect on the effective date.
Approved May 6, 2010.