Requires board of education to directly employ certain professionals; permits board of education to contract for certain personnel; permits use of virtual or remote instruction for public school students in certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey school boards to directly employ certified professionals (such as teachers and specialists) rather than contracting for their services, with specific exceptions for personnel like substitute teachers, business administrators, and those providing specialized instruction (e.g., financial literacy). It permits virtual or remote instruction for individual students or classes when equivalent in-person instruction isn't available, requiring commissioner approval through a formal application process that includes staff notification and comment periods. The bill specifies that virtual instruction may be used for certain graduation requirements, individualized learning opportunities (like internships and credit recovery), and summer school programs under defined circumstances. It establishes processes for school boards to apply for exemptions from direct employment requirements and for the Commissioner of Education to approve virtual instruction requests. The legislation aims to balance direct employment of qualified staff with necessary flexibility for specific educational needs.