S1537

An Act establishing an Extended School Day and School Year Study Commission.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. There is established an Extended School Day and School Year Study Commission. The commission shall consist of 13 members as follows: two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party; two members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party; the Commissioner of Education, ex officio, or a designee; and eight members to be appointed by the Governor including one each from the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association, and two public members.

2. Appointments to the commission shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this act. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties within the limits of funds made available to the commission for its purposes.

3. The commission shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members and a secretary who need not be a member of the commission. The commission may meet and hold hearings at the place or places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature.

4. Staff and related support services shall be provided to the commission by the Department of Education. The commission shall also be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.

5. It shall be the duty of the commission to study the effects of a longer school day and school year on advancing student achievement, enhancing the overall school learning environment, and increasing student enrichment opportunities and educational offerings. In conducting its study the commission shall examine any extended school day and school year schedules utilized in other states.

6. The commission shall issue a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months after its organizational meeting.

7. This act shall take effect immediately and the commission shall expire 30 days after the submission of the final report.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the Extended School Day and School Year Study Commission. The commission will consist of the following: 13 members: two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party; two members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party; the Commissioner of Education, ex officio, or a designee; and eight members to be appointed by the Governor including one each from the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association, and two public members.

It will be the duty of the commission to study the effects of a longer school day and school year on advancing student achievement, enhancing the overall school learning environment, and increasing student enrichment opportunities and educational offerings. In conducting its study the commission will examine any extended school day and school year schedules utilized in other states.

The commission will issue a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months after its organizational meeting. The commission will expire 30 days after the submission of the report.