Author: John G. Geppert, Jr.

Controversy Over Sexual Health in New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health & Physical Education

How to teach students about sexual health has become a controversial topic in recent years, and New Jersey is no exception. As the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education (NJSLS-CHPE) are debated in the media, it is essential that local school districts understand how the standards

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The latest update addresses religious objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements and how they interact with federal labor laws.

EEOC Issues Updated Vaccine Guidance for Employers

The EEOC recently updated its guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination… The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The latest update addresses religious objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements and how they interact with federal labor laws. “This update provides employers, employees, and applicants with important

When May NJ Schools Discipline Students for Off-Campus Speech?

When May NJ Schools Discipline Students for Off-Campus Speech?

SCOTUS recently held that a school district’s decision to suspend a student for social media posts violates the First Amendment… The U.S. Supreme Court held in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. that the school district’s decision to suspend student B. L. from the cheerleading team, for social media posts

Significant Provisions of New Jersey’s School Regionalization Bill

Significant Provisions of New Jersey’s School Regionalization Bill

Legislation that would overhaul school regionalization is primed to move quickly through the New Jersey Legislature… Legislation that would overhaul school regionalization is primed to move quickly through the New Jersey Legislature. The bill, Senate Bill 3488, provides a road map for school districts to study and implement school regionalization

NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher “Release Time” Does Not Violate State Constitution

NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher “Release Time” Does Not Violate State Constitution

In Rozenblit v. Lyles, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a significant decision rejecting statutory and constitutional challenges to provisions in a collective negotiations agreement [CNA] between the Jersey City School District [District] and the Jersey City Education Association [Association] that authorized two teachers [“releasees”], employed and paid by the District,

School Boards Exempt from New Jersey’s Latest Restrictions on Indoor Gatherings

With COVID-19 cases again spiking in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has issued an executive order imposing tighter restrictions on public gatherings. Pursuant to Executive Order 196, the limit of people gathering indoors will be decreased from 25 to 10. Of particular interest to New Jersey school boards, the Executive

NJ Appeals Court Rules Electronic School Board Vote Didn’t Violate OPMA

In Schwartz v. Princeton Board of Education, the New Jersey Appellate Division held that a board of education properly cast votes using an electronic voting system… In Schwartz v. Princeton Board of Education, the New Jersey Appellate Division held that a board of education properly cast votes using an electronic voting system. According to the appeals

Split NJ Supreme Court Rules Student Records Not Subject to Disclosure Under OPRA

In L.R. v. Camden City Public School District,the Supreme Court of New Jersey addressed the extent to which school districts must provide information to requestors on settlement agreements with parents of special education students under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and the New Jersey Public Records Act (NJPRA). The six participating justices