3144.	CERTIFICATION OF TENURE CHARGES 

Tenure charges may be instituted against a tenured staff member of the district in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.1 et seq.  In all instances of the filing and certification of tenure charges, except charges filed against a teacher, Principal, Assistant Principal, or Vice Principal for reasons of inefficiency pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-17.3, the procedures and timelines outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.1(b) shall be observed.  In the event the tenure charges are charges of inefficiency pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A;6-17.3, except in the case of Principals, Assistant Principals and Vice Principals in school districts under full State intervention, where procedures are governed by the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-45 and such rules as may be promulgated to implement it, the procedures and timelines outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.1(c) shall be observed.

Filing and service of petition of appeal as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.3, shall not apply in a case of charges filed with the Commissioner of Education against an employee of a Board of Education or of a school district under full State intervention.  In place of the usual petition, the Board of Education or the State District Superintendent shall file the written charges and the required certificate of determination with the Commissioner together with the name of the attorney who is anticipated for administrative purposes will be representing the Board of Education or State District Superintendent and proof of service upon the employee and the employee's representative, if known.  Such service shall be at the same time and in the same manner as the filing of charges with the Commissioner.

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 34:13A-24, fines and suspensions imposed as minor discipline shall not constitute a reduction in compensation pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:6-10 where the negotiated agreement between the Board of Education and the majority representative of the employees in the appropriate collective bargaining unit provides for such discipline.  In these cases, tenure charges shall not be filed in order to impose minor discipline on a person serving under tenure.

The Board of Education or the State District Superintendent shall determine whether there is probable cause to credit the evidence in support of the charges and whether such charges, if credited, are sufficient to warrant a dismissal or reduction of salary.  Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-11, all deliberations and actions of the Board of Education with respect to such charges shall take place at a closed/executive session meeting.  In the event the Board of Education or the State District Superintendent finds probable cause exists and that the charges, if credited, are sufficient to warrant a dismissal or reduction of salary, then the Board or the State District Superintendent shall file, within fifteen days, such written charges with the Commissioner.  The charge(s) shall be stated with specificity as to the action or behavior underlying the charges or the nature of the alleged inefficiency and shall be accompanied by the required certificate of determination together with the name of the attorney who is anticipated for administrative purposes will be representing the Board of Education or State District Superintendent and proof of service upon the employee and the employee's representative, if known.  Such service shall be at the same time and in the same manner as the filing of charges with the Commissioner.

The certificate of determination that accompanies the written charges shall contain a certification by the Board Secretary or the State District Superintendent including that a determination was made of the charges and the evidence in support of the charges are sufficient, if true in fact, to warrant dismissal or a reduction in salary; of the date, place, and time of the meeting at which such determination was made and whether or not the employee was suspended and, if so, whether such suspension was with or without pay; that such determination was made by a majority vote of the whole number of members of the Board of Education or by the State District Superintendent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-39.

An individual against whom tenure charges are certified shall file a written response to the charges in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.3 et seq.  The Commissioner shall determine whether such charge(s) are sufficient, if true, to warrant dismissal or reduction in salary in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5. Any withdrawal, settlement, or mooting of tenure charges shall be in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.6.

Certification of tenure charges for Charter School employees shall be governed by N.J.A.C. 6A:11-6.1 et seq.

N.J.S.A. 18A:6-8.3; 18A:6-10; 18A:6-11; 18A:6-13; 18A:6-14;
   18A:6-16; 18A:25-6; 18A:25-7
N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.1; 6A:3-5.2; 6A:3-5.3; 6A:3-5.5; 6A:3-5.6
	   6A:9-17.4; 6A:9-17.5

Date Adopted:	September 21, 2009
Date Revised:	September 20, 2010, April 15, 2014