NJ S3041

Head coaches at New Jersey public high schools who are tenured district employees or out-of-district employees must receive 3-year employment contracts, while assistant coaches who are tenured employees must receive 2-year contracts.

Coaches are automatically reappointed for subsequent contract terms unless the board of education provides written notice of non-reappointment at least 90 days before the contract expires.

Coaches may only be dismissed or have compensation reduced during their contract term for just cause, not for arbitrary, capricious, or unlawful reasons.

Dismissed coaches must receive written notice of the basis for termination within 5 days and may request a hearing before the board of education within 10 days, with rights to legal counsel, witnesses, and cross-examination of school officials.

Board of education decisions on dismissals may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education within 90 days; the bill does not grant tenure to coaches or interfere with collective bargaining agreements.