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Bill

S 4180

Relates to the enactment of the New York State Excess Food Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Establishes 3-year head coach and 2-year assistant coach contracts with just-cause dismissal, plus structured hearings and appeals, without granting tenure.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · S 4180

Summary of New Jersey S 4180 (Introduced Version)

Note: The bill text provided appears to be a New Jersey measure, not related to the New York State Excess Food Act referenced in the bill title. The following summary reflects the introduced New Jersey version as filed.

Overview

S 4180 establishes formal employment terms and due-process protections for public high school athletic coaches who are tenured district employees or out-of-district hires. The bill creates specific contract terms for head coaches and assistant coaches, sets grounds for dismissal or reduction in pay “for just cause,” provides a structured hearing process, and outlines appeal procedures. It explicitly states that the legislation does not grant tenure or modify existing collective bargaining rights.

Purpose and Intent

  • To standardize contract terms for high school athletic coaches.
  • To ensure coaches may be dismissed or reduced in pay only for just cause, with due process protections.
  • To give coaches a defined path for review and remedies if disciplined, including board hearings and potential state or civil rights reviews.
  • To clarify that the bill does not confer tenure or alter existing bargaining or tort rights.

Key Provisions

  • Contract Terms

    • Head coach (public high school, tenured district employee or out-of-district): 3-year contract for the specific athletic activity.
    • Assistant coach (same eligibility): 2-year contract for the specific athletic activity.
    • Automatic reappointment: At the end of a contract, the coach is reappointed unless the board of education provides written notice at least 90 days before expiration that the coach will not be reappointed.

  • Dismissal and Compensation Reduction

    • May only occur for just cause; arbitrary or capricious reasons are prohibited.
    • If dismissal is based on a poor annual evaluation for tenured coaches, the bill requires one year of district support to correct deficiencies.

  • Notice and Hearing

    • Written notice of the basis for dismissal/reduction to be delivered within 5 days after the decision by a district official, prior to board action.
    • Hearing on request: within 10 days (or a mutually agreed date).
    • Rights at hearing: counsel, witnesses, examination of district officials, sworn testimony.
    • Hearing conducted in executive session with a court reporter; district pays court reporter costs.

  • Board Decision and Appeals

    • The board of education issues a written decision at or after the regularly scheduled meeting following the notice or hearing.
    • Appeals: to the Commissioner of Education within 90 days of the board’s written decision.
    • Civil rights: complaints may be filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights within 180 days of an incident.

  • Limitations and Clarifications

    • Nothing in the act grants tenure, interferes with collective bargaining agreements, or otherwise alters civil or tort remedies.
    • The act takes effect immediately and first applies to the first full school year following enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Public high school athletic coaches (head and assistant) who are tenured district employees or out-of-district employees.
  • School districts and boards of education.
  • Potentially affected administrators and counsel involved in employment decisions and hearings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 3, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Agriculture Committee.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment; first full school year thereafter.
  • Appeals window: 90 days to the Commissioner of Education; 180 days for civil rights complaints.

Sponsorship and Related Measures

  • Primary sponsor: Kevin S. Parker.
  • Related/companion bills: A 3267 (companion); several prior-session S/A bills listed as related.

Potential Considerations

  • Increased due-process requirements for district personnel decisions.
  • Administrative and potential financial costs associated with hearings and court reporting.
  • Interaction with existing collective bargaining agreements and any district-specific policies.

This summary focuses on the substantive changes the bill would implement and who would be affected, presented in a clear, accessible format.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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