18A:28-5. a. The services of all teaching staff members employed prior to the effective date of P.L.2012, c.26 (C. 18A:6-117 et al.) in the positions of teacher, principal, other than administrative principal, assistant principal, vice-principal, assistant superintendent, and all school nurses including school nurse supervisors, head school nurses, chief school nurses, school nurse coordinators, and any other nurse performing school nursing services, school athletic trainer and such other employees as are in positions which require them to hold appropriate certificates issued by the board of examiners, serving in any school district or under any board of education, excepting those who are not the holders of proper certificates in full force and effect and school business administrators shared by two or more school districts, shall be under tenure during good behavior and efficiency and they shall not be dismissed or reduced in compensation except for inefficiency, incapacity, or conduct unbecoming such a teaching staff member or other just cause and then only in the manner prescribed by subarticle B of article 2 of chapter 6 of this Title, after employment in such district or by such board for:

(1) Three consecutive calendar years, or any shorter period which may be fixed by the employing board for such purpose; or

(2) Three consecutive academic years, together with employment at the beginning of the next succeeding academic year; or

(3) The equivalent of more than three academic years within a period of any four consecutive academic years.

b. The services of all teaching staff members employed on or after the effective date of P.L.2012, c.26 (C. 18A:6-117 et al.) in the position of teacher, principal, other than administrative principal, assistant principal, vice-principal, assistant superintendent, and all school nurses, including school nurse supervisors, head school nurses, chief school nurses, school nurse coordinators, and any other nurse performing school nursing services, school athletic trainer and such other employees as are in positions which require them to hold appropriate certificates issued by the board of examiners, serving in any school district or under any board of education, excepting those who are not the holders of proper certificates in full force and effect, and school business administrators shared by two or more school districts, shall be under tenure during good behavior and efficiency and they shall not be dismissed or reduced in compensation except for inefficiency, incapacity, or conduct unbecoming such a teaching staff member or other just cause and then only in the manner prescribed by subarticle B of article 2 of chapter 6 of this Title, after employment in such district or by such board for:

(1) Four consecutive calendar years; or

(2) Four consecutive academic years, together with employment at the beginning of the next succeeding academic year; or

(3) The equivalent of more than four academic years within a period of any five consecutive academic years.

In order to achieve tenure pursuant to this subsection, a teacher shall also complete a district mentorship program during the initial year of employment and receive a rating of effective or highly effective in two annual summative evaluations within the first three years of employment after the initial year of employment in which the teacher completes the district mentorship program. In order to achieve tenure pursuant to this subsection, a principal, assistant principal, and vice-principal shall also receive a rating of effective or highly effective in two annual summative evaluations within the first three years of employment with the first effective rating being received on or after the completion of the second year of employment.

For purposes of this subsection, “effective” or “highly effective” means the employee has received an annual summative evaluation rating of “effective” or “highly effective” based on the performance standards for his position established through the evaluation rubric adopted by the board of education and approved by the commissioner.

c. For purposes of this chapter, tenure in any of the administrative or supervisory positions enumerated herein shall accrue only by employment in that administrative or supervisory position. Tenure so accrued shall not extend to any other administrative or supervisory position and nothing herein shall limit or restrict tenure rights which were or may be acquired pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:28-6 in a position in which the individual actually served.

amended 1991, c.267, s.3; 1996, c.58, ss.2,1,3; 1996, c.111, s.3; 1999, c.87, s.3; 2012, c.26, s.9.