MORIARTY / CRYAN / LOVE BILL CODIFYING ANTI-NEPOTISM RULE IN SCHOOLS ADVANCING

MORIARTY / CRYAN / LOVE BILL CODIFYING ANTI-NEPOTISM RULE IN SCHOOLS ADVANCING

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Paul Moriarty, Joseph Cryan and Sandi Love sponsored to codify in law a state Department of Education (DOE) regulation against nepotism in public schools has passed the Assembly.

“Property taxpayers deserve every assurance that the people charged with educating their kids got their positions because of what they know, not who they know,” said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). “With local schools making up the majority of local property tax bills, we need to ensure that we are investing in the absolute best candidates to lead our schools.”

The bill (A-3043) would codify DOE regulations that require each board of education to adopt and implement a nepotism policy that addresses the recommendation and hiring of a relative, supervision of a relative by a school administrator and the involvement of a school administrator in negotiating with a bargaining unit that includes a relative.

The measure would empower the Commissioner of Education to withhold state aid from any district that fails to adopt an anti-nepotism policy within three months.

“Prohibitions against nepotism in state government already can be found in law,” said Cryan (D-Union). “It’s a no-brainer to extend that statutory umbrella to cover schools, as well.”

“Even with clear regulations in place, giving these rules the power of law will send a clear message that public schools are no place for nepotism and favoritism,” said Love (D-Camden/Gloucester).

The bill recently passed the Assembly 78-0 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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