Number of retiring N.J. teachers nearly doubles after pension rules change
By The Associated Press
June 22, 2010, 6:14AM
TRENTON — Budget cuts and anxiety about possible changes in pension rules seem to be fueling an increase in the number of teachers who are retiring in New Jersey. Nearly 6,500 school employees have filed for retirement this year. That's almost double the number for all of last year. Some 5,106 submitted papers for their retirements to take effect... Full story »
Prom season causes heightened stress among N.J. gay teens
By Star-Ledger Staff
June 22, 2010, 5:20AM
CAPE MAY COUNTY — When Anthony De Salis and his boyfriend, Robert Gittle, recently attended Gittle’s senior prom together at Cape May County Technical High School, something remarkable happened — nothing at all. "No homophobic remarks, not that we heard anyway," says De Salis, 21, a junior at Drew University. "When we were dancing, everyone else seemed to respect... Full story »
N.J. bill would require parents to pay for students to attend summer school
By Matt Friedman/Statehouse Bureau
June 21, 2010, 7:00PM
TRENTON — With school districts across the state facing budget squeezes, lawmakers today advanced a bill that would require parents to fork over hundreds of dollars to send their kids to summer school. "The alternative might be they have to eliminate (summer classes)," said Frank Belluscio, spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association. "With the tight financial situation... Full story »
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Criminal background check on school board members is approved by N.J. Assembly
By Matt Friedman/Statehouse Bureau
June 21, 2010, 5:35PM
TRENTON — School board members would be disqualified from serving if they’ve been convicted of serious crimes if a bill that passed the Assembly today becomes law. The bill requires those elected to the Board of Education to submit to a criminal background check within 30 days of election or appointment, and would give current school board members 30... Full story »
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N.J. Senate committee approves requiring non-public school bus drivers to undergo stricter background checks
By Matt Friedman/Statehouse Bureau
June 21, 2010, 3:05PM
TRENTON — A bill advanced by a Senate committee today would close a loophole that exempts bus drivers for private schools and state agencies from the background checks public school drivers are required to undergo. “This is really a student safety bill,” said state Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset), the bill’s sponsor. Currently, only bus drivers employed directly by... Full story »
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