How are charter schools managed in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, charter schools are managed by a board of trustees that operates independently of the local school district. This governance structure is designed to provide charter schools with the flexibility to create educational programs that meet the unique needs of their students while still adhering to state educational standards. The board of trustees has the authority to make decisions regarding the school’s operations, curricula, staffing, and budget, enabling a degree of autonomy that is often greater than that of traditional public schools.

This independent governance allows charter schools to innovate and use different teaching methods or approaches compared to conventional schools, which can lead to unique educational opportunities for students. While charter schools receive funding from the same sources as traditional public schools, they are not governed by the local board of education, which distinguishes them from other public schools.

In contrast, options that suggest management by a local board of education, state-appointed administrators, or elected municipal officials do not accurately reflect the established governance model for charter schools as defined by New Jersey law.