New Jersey Attorneys for Non-Tenured Public School Employee Rights

Protecting Teachers, Administrators & Staff Members

Are you employed within the public school system in New Jersey? If so, you’re probably aware of how different your job can be from others. “Teaching staff members” in New Jersey public schools are eligible to obtain “tenure.” Tenure is a statutory right. Having tenure means that a public school employee cannot be dismissed for any reason other than incapacity, inefficiency, conduct unbecoming, “or other just cause.” Employees such as principals, business administrators, and assistant superintendents fall within the statutory definition of “teaching staff members.” Before tenure is obtained, a teaching staff member must have his or her employment renewed or non-renewed by May 15 of the school year. a Superintendents must be provided with a notice of nonrenewal at least one year prior to the expiration of their existing 3 to 5 year contracts, which expire on July 1st.

Resolving Employee Contract Renewal Disputes

Renewal of teaching staff member’s employment requires the recommendation of the school’s chief administrator and the board of education’s (BOE) vote. The BOE may not withhold its approval for arbitrary and capricious reasons. Like all employees in New Jersey, a teaching staff member cannot lose his or her job for a reason that violates the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), and other anti-discrimination laws. For example, public school employees may find themselves confronted with the following issues:

• Disability and Race Discrimination
• FMLA Interference and FMLA Retaliation
• Sexual Harassment
• Wrongful Termination
• Whistleblower Retaliation
• OSHA Violations

Non-tenured teaching staff members can be released for many reasons, but none of those reasons can be one that discriminates on the basis of the employee’s membership in protected class. Protected classes in New Jersey include, but are not limited to, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and more.

Should you encounter any issues with the renewal of your employment, we can advocate for your rights. Policies such as this work both ways – that means you should expect administrators at the school and district levels to abide by them. The challenges you can face when your employer violates your rights at work can be different, too. If you need an advocate to help you meet these challenges head-on, reach out to us and our dedicated attorneys for legal counsel.

Get started by contacting us online or by calling (856) 746-6332 now. 

How We Can Help You

The Law Firm of Morgan Rooks, P.C. is a plaintiff-side employment rights firm. That means that when people know or believe their employer has violated their employment rights, we provide the support they need to fight back. We believe all employees should have a chance to stand up for themselves after a violation of their employment rights occurs, and employees of the public school system are no different. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, staff member, or hold another position, at the district or school site level, we can help you hold responsible parties accountable for violating your rights. Learn more about how our New Jersey lawyers for public school employees’ rights can help by reaching out to The Law Firm of Morgan Rooks, P.C. for help today.

For more information and to request a consultation, contact us online.