First Look at Executive Order #214
To Our School Board Community: On January 11, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 214 regarding the implementation of new policies for the 2020-2021 school year. Specifically, the Executive Order implements the following: The statutory graduation proficiency test requirement mandated by N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-2 et seq. is waived for seniors who have not yet met […]
Join us at the 2020 NJSBA Virtual Workshop
Click here to join us at the 2020 NJSBA Virtual Workshop Log in and enter the exhibit floor lobby between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday October 20, 21, and 22. Click “Enter Here” to visit the lobby and type “Cooper Levenson” into the “Search for a Booth” bar. We can chat […]
Executive Order No. 187 Guidance
To Our School Board Community: On October 12, 2020, the Governor of New Jersey issued Executive Order No. 187, which allows indoor practices and competitions to resume. Specifically, EO 187 applies to “no-contact practices, contact practices, and competitions for sports defined as low risk, medium risk, and high risk.” A list of permissible activities is […]
First Look at Executive Order No. 175
To Our School Board Community: Today, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 175 which addresses, among other things, reopening plans and reopening requirements, requirements for all-remote learning, and periodic updates to the Department of Education. We are working to unpack this lengthy Executive Order so we can provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate […]
Bridge Year Pilot Program
To Our School Board Community: On June 26, 2020, Governor Murphy signed an Act requiring the Commissioner of Education to establish a three-year “Bridge Year Pilot Program” for certain students who were impacted by the public health state of emergency caused by COVID-19. Under the Bridge Year Pilot Program (the “Pilot Program”), each school district […]
Hunger-free Students Bill of Rights Act
The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly has approved the “Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act,” (the “Act”) which requires certain school meal information be provided to students’ parents and establishes protocols for identifying eligible students for meal programs. The Act will take effect on the first day of the school year. Specifically, the Act […]
An In-Depth Look at the Education Stabilization Fund
April 7, 2020 Elizabeth C. White, Esq. To Our School Board Community: We have been receiving several questions regarding the Education Stabilization Fund (“ESF”) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and the requisite payment of contractors, namely transportation contractors. Below, we have attempted to break down the relevant portions of […]
Guidance on the Education Stabilization Fund and its Implications
April 3, 2020 Elizabeth C. White, Esq. To Our School Board Community: On March 27, 2020, the President signed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The Act, among other things, establishes funding for the Education Stabilization Fund, whereby the Secretary will issue grants to each State, which may be used […]
NJDOL Flier on COVID-19 & Unemployment Benefits
As you may have heard during Governor Murphy’s 2:00 p.m. press conference on March 17, 2020, the State is requesting that all businesses continue to pay their employees. While it is unclear whether it will apply to schools, the Governor explained that there is Federal and state proposed legislation that will provide small and mid-sized […]
Cooper Levenson Guidance for Payment of Non-Certified or Non-Instructional Staff During State Shutdown
To Our School Board Community: We have been fielding several questions regarding payment of non-certified or non-instructional staff employees in the public school system during a School District closure to students. This guidance is subject to any laws passed on an emergent basis during this unprecedented time. We recommend your School District consider the following: […]