New Jersey Department of Education

Office of School Ethics and Compliance

The School Ethics Commission ("Commission") was created pursuant to the School Ethics Act ("Act"), N.J.S.A. 18A:12-21 et seq.  The Commission consists of nine individuals appointed by the Governor.  It is established in the Department and staffed by Department employees. The Commission is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the act, which governs the ethical conduct of school officials (i.e., board members, charter school trustees, district and charter school administrators and certain employees of the New Jersey School Boards Association). The major goals of the Commission's office are to: 1) review and investigate complaints, conduct hearings as necessary and render determinations by issuing written decisions; 2) provide written advisory opinions to school officials; 3) enforce the requirement that all school officials file annual disclosure statements setting forth their financial and personal connections; and 4) enforce the requirement that all board members/charter school trustees attend training in accordance with the act. If a violation of the act is found, the Commission may recommend to the Commissioner the reprimand, censure, suspension, or removal of the school official.  The Commission holds its monthly meetings in Trenton on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except for December, when it is held on the third Tuesday.


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