Lawmakers in New Jersey have proposed a bill that would honorably discharge military veterans in order to allow them to coach high school sports without teaching credentials.
According to WRNJ, Bill A1429, sponsored by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (R-Cape May), would allow public school districts to hire eligible veterans for interscholastic athletic coaching positions regardless of whether they have the educational credentials currently required.
The legislation was partly inspired by Ryan Lewis, an Army veteran and high school graduate who played baseball in high school. Lewis served as an infantryman during his military career, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014, and currently serves full time in the Army National Guard.
While Lewis has coached his son't youth league, he is unable to coach the high school level due to the teacher's certification requirement.
“Ryan represents exactly the kind of mentor we should want around our students and athletes,” Simonsen said. “These veterans have already demonstrated leadership, discipline, resilience, and commitment through military service. We should not be telling them they are unqualified to coach simply because they chose to serve their country instead of following a traditional college path.”
As per the bill, veterans would need to have been honorably discharged and completed at least four years of military service to qualify for the exemption from teaching credential requirements. Local boards of education would retain authority over hiring decisions for both full-time and part-time coaching positions.
Simonsen argues that veterans have already proven their leadership skills.
“Our veterans have already proven their ability to lead under pressure and serve something bigger than themselves,” Simonsen said. “This bill simply gives local school districts the flexibility to recognize that experience and put it to work helping the next generation.”
