Teacher tenure overhaul at Lenape Valley

STANHOPE — A measure that would overhaul the century-old teacher tenure system in New Jersey was recently introduced by the state legislature. The bill, entitled “Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act,” will create an annual evaluation system for teachers and principals ranging from highly effective down to ineffective. Merit pay would be implemented and teachers deemed ineffective would be required to receive enhanced professional development. In the event of budget cuts and layoffs, staff performance would be the first criterion in determining whom to dismiss, followed by length of service, rather than solely seniority. Eleven school districts are currently engaged in a pilot program called Excellent Educators for New Jersey to evaluate teachers based in part on student achievement. Paul A. Palek, Jr., Superintendent of Lenape Valley Regional High School, has met with his colleagues at other northern New Jersey high schools to see the evaluation models being recommended by the State. “These evaluations will be done like they never have before,” said Palek at a Lenape Valley Board of Education meeting. “It is technology driven...requires new applications and extensive software training by the evaluators and staff.” Palek explained that almost a dozen schools were chosen this year to participate in a pilot program. An additional 30 schools will be chosen to use the evaluation system in the next academic year and will be awarded grant money. Palek said that Lenape Valley is very interested in taking part in the program and hopes the school is selected. “The benefits of this evaluation will challenge the seniority process,” said Palek. “This is important if we have to downsize. Merit pay will also now move forward.” Another component of the bill is tenure. It would take at least four years for new teachers to obtain tenure. The bill calls for three years of effective or better evaluations, but the three years would not start until after the first year of teaching. In addition, tenure for teachers and assistant principals rated in the bottom categories could be removed if there is no improvement the following year.