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
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
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued a significant decision involving public school students’ free speech rights and clarified how existing precedent will be applied to social media. In B.L. v. Mahanoy Area School District, the appeals court unanimously held that the First Amendment prohibits disciplining public school students
Over the past decade, students aged 12-17 have experienced a 59 percent increase in depression and emotional disorders. In light of that, it is increasingly important for New Jersey schools to take a proactive approach to mental health. Under a new law, New Jersey schools must incorporate mental health into
Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed “Alyssa’s Law,” which will require public school buildings to be equipped with panic alarm linked to local law enforcement. The new law is named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a New Jersey native who was killed on February 14, 2018 in the Parkland, Florida high school
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a First Amendment case that could have clarified whether public school teachers and coaches retain any First Amendment rights when at work and “in the general presence of” students. The case, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, involved a football coach who was terminated after
Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed several school bus safety bills into law. Many were enacted in response to the tragic May 2018 I-80 school bus crash that claimed the lives of a Paramus middle school student, a teacher; and injured 43 others. The Paramus Board of Education is currently defending
In the wake of the tragic Parkland shooting, both political parties are committed to improving school security in New Jersey. The state Legislature recently added to a current bipartisan bill to add $500 million in grants to help schools boost their facilities security. The bond act would require final approval
