Teacher's Donaldson Hearing Set for Wednesday

has a Donaldson hearing scheduled for Wednesday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education meeting. Cohen's is the second Donaldson hearing this summer for SOMS teachers; fellow eighth grade Social Studies teacher also had a Donaldson hearing. In her case, the Board of Education upheld the made in the spring by principal Joseph Uglialoro. It is not known if Cohen's hearing will be public or private.

A key point of the hearing law is that results must be made known to the teachers, in writing, within three days.

According to a district handout,

The Board is not required to take a vote at the conclusion of the hearing. Should the Board decide to act to reinstate the employee, it would require five affirmative roll call votes to pass. This is the only provision for a school district to employ someone who does not have the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools. If the Board does not take action within three days, the non-renewal stands.

More on the Donaldson process courtesy of the New Jersey School Boards Association:

How did the teachers and Board of Education reach this point?

When a teacher receives a notice of termination, he or she may, within 15 days, request in writing a statement of the reasons for such non-employment which shall be given to the teaching staff member in writing within 30 days after receipt of such request." N.J.S.A. 18A:37-3.2.

A teacher then has a right to appear before the district board to contest the decision not to renew. (This is the Donaldson hearing.) The administrative regulation, N.J.A.C. 6A:32-4.6, provides that:

The written request has to be submitted to the board within 10 calendar days of receipt by the teaching staff member of the board's statement of reasons;
The informal appearance before the district board is to be scheduled "within" 30 calendar days from receipt of the district board of education's statement of reasons.

What is the hearing for?

The hearing allows the teacher an opportunity to convince the members of the board to offer reemployment.

The hearing's length will be determined by the Board of Education. The teacher may be represented by counsel or by someone else. The teacher may present witnesses, who do not have to go under oath and will not be cross-examined by Board members.
What happens next?

Within three days of the hearing, the district must notify the teacher of its determination in writing. 

Why is it called Donaldson?

The “Donaldson Hearing,” is a right that was established by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Donaldson v. North Wildwood Bd. of Ed., 65 N.J. 236 (1974).