New Jersey
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 1. QUALIFICATIONS
§ 18A:12-1. Qualifications of board members
Each member of any board of education shall be a citizen and resident of the district, or of such constituent district of a consolidated or regional district as may be required by law, and shall have been such for at least one year immediately preceding his appointment or election, he shall be able to read and write, shall be registered to vote in the district, and, notwithstanding the provisions of > N.J.S. 2C:51-1 or any other law to the contrary, he is not disqualified as a voter pursuant to > R.S. 19:4-1.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1.1
§ 18A:12-1.1. Ineligibility for appointment to paid office or position filled by board
No member of a board of education shall, during the term for which he is elected or appointed, be eligible for appointment to any paid office or position required to be filled by the board unless he shall resign or cease to be a member at least 6 months prior to his appointment, except in cases where the office or position is by law required or permitted to be filled by a member of the board.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-2
§ 18A:12-2. Inconsistent interests or office prohibited
No member of any board of education shall be interested directly or indirectly in any contract with or claim against the board, nor, in the case of local and regional school districts, shall he hold office as mayor or as a member of the governing body of a municipality, nor, in the case of county special services school districts and county vocational school districts, shall he hold office as a member of the governing body of a county.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-3
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 2. REMOVAL
§ 18A:12-3. Removal of members
Whenever a member of a local or regional board of education shall cease to be a bona fide resident of the district, or of any constituent district of a consolidated or regional district which he represents, or shall become mayor or a member of the governing body of a municipality, his membership in the board shall immediately cease; and, any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the board without good cause may be removed by it. Whenever a member of a county special service school district or a member of a county vocational school district shall cease to be a bona fide resident of the district, or shall hold office as a member of the governing body of a county, his membership on the board shall immediately cease.
Notwithstanding the provisions of > N.J.S. 2C:51-1 or any other law to the contrary, whenever a member of a board of education is disqualified as a voter pursuant to > R.S. 19:4-1, or is convicted of false swearing as provided in section 5 of P.L.1987, c. 328 (C. 18A:12-2.2), his membership on the board shall immediately cease.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-4
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION
§ 18A:12-4. Compensation of members
A member of a board of education shall receive no compensation for his services.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-6
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 4. CHOICE OF MEMBERS
A. IN TYPE I DISTRICTS
§ 18A:12-6. Boards; number of members
The board shall consist of 5 or 7 members as provided by ordinance of the municipal governing body, except that it shall consist of 9 members in districts in cities of the first class, and in districts in which it has been so determined by referendum held pursuant to law.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-7
§ 18A:12-7. Boards; appointments; vacancies
The boards of education shall be appointed by the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality constituting the district. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the board shall be reported forthwith by the secretary of the board to the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, who shall within 30 days thereafter appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-8
§ 18A:12-8. When appointed; commencement of terms
In districts, other than those in cities of the first class, the members of the board shall be appointed between April 1 and April 15 and their terms of office shall begin on May 16, next succeeding, and in districts in cities of the first class they shall be appointed during the month of June and their terms of office shall begin on July 1, next succeeding.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-9
§ 18A:12-9. Terms of members of boards
Of boards consisting of 5 members, one shall be appointed each year for a term of 5 years, of boards consisting of 9 members, 3 shall be appointed each year for terms of 3 years, and of boards consisting of 7 members, 3 shall be appointed in the first year and 2 shall be appointed in each of the 2 following years of each 3-year period, each for a term of 3 years, except the members of the first board of any such district, who shall be appointed for such terms, as shall, as soon as possible, result in all members of a 5-man board being appointed for terms of 5 years and the terms of one member expiring each year, or all members of a 9-man board being appointed for terms of 3 years and the terms of 3 members expiring each year, or all members of a 7-man board being appointed for terms of 3 years and the terms of either 3 or 2 members expiring in each 3-year period. All members shall serve after the expiration of their respective terms until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-11
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 4. CHOICE OF MEMBERS
B. IN TYPE II DISTRICTS HAVING ELECTED BOARDS OF EDUCATION
§ 18A:12-11. Election and number of board members; terms
The board of education shall consist of nine members, or it shall consist of three, five or seven members as, and if, it has been so determined pursuant to law or shall be so determined by referendum as provided in this chapter, who shall be elected at annual school elections in the district for terms of three years except as otherwise herein provided.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-11.1
§ 18A:12-11.1. New district may elect three, five, seven or nine members
Whenever a new school district, except a regional school district, or a consolidated school district or a new district created under the terms of article 4 of chapter 8 of this title is created, there shall be placed upon the official ballot to be voted upon, at the first annual school election, the question whether the board shall consist of three, five, seven or nine members.
The balloting for board members shall take place as if nine members were to be elected, three for terms of three years, three for terms of two years, and three for terms of one year.
If it shall be determined as a result of the balloting that the board shall consist of nine members, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each of said terms shall be declared elected.
If it shall be determined that the board shall consist of seven members, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the three-year terms, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the two- year terms, and the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the one-year term shall be declared elected.
If it shall be determined that the board shall consist of five members, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the three-year terms, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the two-year terms, and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the one-year term shall be declared elected.
If it shall be determined that the board shall consist of three members, each candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each of the terms shall be declared elected.
Annually thereafter there shall be elected a person or persons for the term of three years in the place of the member or members whose terms shall have expired.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-12
§ 18A:12-12. Increase or reduction in membership; resolution; submission of question
If the board of any district shall determine by resolution that it is for the best interest of the schools that the membership of the board shall be increased from whatever number of members then composes it to five, seven or nine members, or reduced from said number to seven, five or three members, the question of such increase or reduction shall be submitted to the voters of the district at the next annual school election and the question shall be stated in the notice of the election.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-13
§ 18A:12-13. Increase in membership; additional members
If at the election the question of increasing the membership of the board shall be adopted, the membership of the board shall be increased accordingly as of the organization meeting next following the next annual school election and the additional members shall be elected at such annual school election, for terms as follows:
a. If the increase is from three to five, two for three years and one for two years;
b. If the increase is from three to seven, two for three years, one for two years and one for one year;
c. If the increase is from five to seven, one for three years and one for a term of either one or two years, whichever is necessary to cause the terms of two members to expire at each of the next two annual school elections;
d. If the increase is from any other number to nine, for such terms not over three years, as will as soon as possible constitute a board of nine, with three-year terms expiring, three each year.
Each year thereafter successors to the members whose terms expire shall be elected for three years.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-14
§ 18A:12-14. Reduction of membership; reduced number of members
If at the election the question of reducing the membership of the board shall be adopted, the members in office at the next annual school election shall continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms, and members shall be elected as follows:
a. If the reduction is from nine to seven, two shall be elected at such election and two at the next annual school election thereafter;
b. If the reduction is from nine to five, one shall be elected at such election, two at the first annual school election thereafter, and two at the second annual school election thereafter;
c. If the reduction is from seven to five, one shall be elected at the first annual school election at which three would have been elected; and
d. If the reduction is from any other number to three, one member shall be elected at such election and at each annual school election thereafter.
All members so elected shall be elected for terms of three years.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-15
§ 18A:12-15. Vacancies
Vacancies in the membership of the board shall be filled as follows:
a. By the county superintendent, if the vacancy is caused by the absence of candidates for election to the school board or by the removal of a member because of lack of qualifications, or is not filled within 65 days following its occurrence;
b. By the county superintendent, to a number sufficient to make up a quorum of the board if, by reason of vacancies, a quorum is lacking;
c. By special election, if in the annual school election two or more candidates qualified by law for membership on the school board receive an equal number of votes. Such special election shall be held only upon recount and certification by the county board of elections of such election result, shall be restricted to such candidates, shall be held within 60 days of the annual school election, and shall be conducted in accordance with procedures for annual and special school elections set forth in Title 19 of the Revised Statutes. The vacancy shall be filled by the county superintendent if in such special election two or more candidates qualified by law for membership on the school board receive an equal number of votes;
d. By special election if there is a failure to elect a member at the annual school election due to improper election procedures. Such special election shall be restricted to those persons who were candidates at such annual school election, shall be held within 60 days of such annual school election, and shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures for annual and special school elections set forth in Title 19 of the Revised Statutes;
e. By the commissioner if there is a failure to elect a member at the annual school election due to improper campaign practices; or
f. By a majority vote of the remaining members of the board after the vacancy occurs in all other cases.
Each member so appointed shall serve until the organizational meeting following the next annual election unless he is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring within the 60 days immediately preceding such election to fill a term extending beyond such election, in which case he shall serve until the organizational meeting following the second annual election next succeeding the occurrence of the vacancy, and any vacancy for the remainder of the term shall be filled at the annual election or the second annual election next succeeding the occurrence of the vacancy as the case may be.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-17
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 4. CHOICE OF MEMBERS
C. IN TYPE II DISTRICTS HAVING APPOINTED BOARDS OF EDUCATION
§ 18A:12-17. Appointments; terms; vacancies
The mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality shall, between April 1 and April 15 in each year, appoint one member of the board to serve for a term of 5 years beginning on May 15 next succeeding his appointment, to take the place of the member whose term shall expire in that year, and any vacancy occurring in the membership of the board shall be reported forthwith by the secretary of the board to the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, who shall within 30 days thereafter appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-18
§ 18A:12-18. Resolution or petition for election of members; submission
In every such district the question whether or not the members of the board shall thereafter be elected by the voters of the district at annual school elections shall be submitted to the legal voters of the district at the next general or municipal election, following the expiration of 40 days after the adoption by the governing body of the municipality of a resolution, or after the filing with the clerk of the municipality of a petition signed by not less than 15% of the number of legally qualified voters who voted in the municipality at the last preceding general election held for the election of all of the members of the general assembly, directing such submission, whichever occurs earlier, or at the next annual school election, or a special school election called for that purpose, to be held after the expiration of 40 days from the adoption by the board of education of the district of a resolution, or from the filing with the secretary of the board of education of a petition signed by said percentage of such number of legally qualified voters of the district, directing such submission and thereupon said clerk or secretary shall cause said question to be submitted accordingly.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-19.1
§ 18A:12-19.1. Resolution to decrease terms of members; submission to voters
If the board of education of a school district organized pursuant to subarticle C of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes shall determine by resolution that it is in the best interest of the public schools of the district that the terms of the members of the board shall be decreased from five years to three years, the question shall be submitted to the voters of the district at the next annual school election and the question shall be stated in the notice of the election prepared pursuant to > R.S. 19:12-7.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24
NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 5. SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PART 3. BOARDS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12. MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 6. STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
§ 18A:12-24. School officials; prohibited conduct
a. No school official or member of his immediate family shall have an interest in a business organization or engage in any business, transaction, or professional activity, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest;
b. No school official shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages or employment for himself, members of his immediate family or others;
c. No school official shall act in his official capacity in any matter where he, a member of his immediate family, or a business organization in which he has an interest, has a direct or indirect financial or personal involvement that might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity or independence of judgment;
d. No school official shall undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to prejudice his independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties;
e. No school official, or member of his immediate family, or business organization in which he has an interest, shall solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, political contribution, service, promise of future employment, or other thing of value based upon an understanding that the gift, favor, loan, contribution, service, promise, or other thing of value was given or offered for the purpose of influencing him, directly or indirectly, in the discharge of his official duties. This provision shall not apply to the solicitation or acceptance of contributions to the campaign of an announced candidate for elective public office, if the school official has no knowledge or reason to believe that the campaign contribution, if accepted, was given with the intent to influence the school official in the discharge of his official duties;
f. No school official shall use, or allow to be used, his public office or employment, or any information, not generally available to the members of the public, which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his office or employment, for the purpose of securing financial gain for himself, any member of his immediate family, or any business organization with which he is associated;
g. No school official or business organization in which he has an interest shall represent any person or party other than the school board or school district in connection with any cause, proceeding, application or other matter pending before the school district in which he serves or in any proceeding involving the school district in which he serves or, for officers or employees of the New Jersey School Boards Association, any school district. This provision shall not be deemed to prohibit representation within the context of official labor union or similar representational responsibilities;
h. No school official shall be deemed in conflict with these provisions if, by reason of his participation in any matter required to be voted upon, no material or monetary gain accrues to him as a member of any business, profession, occupation or group, to any greater extent than any gain could reasonably be expected to accrue to any other member of that business, profession, occupation or group;
i. No elected member shall be prohibited from making an inquiry for information on behalf of a constituent, if no fee, reward or other thing of value is promised to, given to or accepted by the member or a member of his immediate family, whether directly or indirectly, in return therefor;
j. Nothing shall prohibit any school official, or members of his immediate family, from representing himself, or themselves, in negotiations or proceedings concerning his, or their, own interests; and
k. Employees of the New Jersey School Boards Association shall not be precluded from providing assistance, in the normal course of their duties, to boards of education in the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement regardless of whether a member of their immediate family is a member of, or covered by, a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by a Statewide union with which a board of education is negotiating.
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-33
§ 18A:12-33. Training program for new board members
Each newly elected or appointed board member shall complete during the first year of the member's first term a training program to be prepared and offered by the New Jersey School Boards Association regarding the skills and knowledge necessary to serve as a local school board member.