Opinion ID: 2351075
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: EFFECT OF L. 1951, c. 292, sec. 1 (amending R.S. 18:13-19, supra ):

Text: The petitioner contends that L. 1951, c. 292, sec. 1. amending R.S. 18:13-19, supra, should be construed as merely a curative statute and therefore be accorded retroactive operation. Such a construction is not permissible here. Words in a statute ought not to have a retrospective operation unless they are so clear, strong and imperative that no other meaning can be annexed to them. Kopczynski v. County of Camden, 2 N.J. 419, 424 (1949). In the foregoing construction of R.S. 18:13-19 as amended by L. 1942, c. 269, sec. 1, the reason for the omission of the office of assistant superintendent from the statutory provision has been demonstrated. In addition, the 1951 enactment provides tenure security where an office is abolished, as well as where the number of those persons holding an office of the designated category is reduced; it adds to the existing reason for reduction (and now abolition of office) namely natural diminution of pupils, the additional reasons of economy, a change in the administrative or supervisory organization of the district, or other good cause. These differences between the prior provision and the 1951 act are so great as to indicate not clarification of the existing statute, but an entirely new legislative scheme, one of far greater scope. The language of the 1951 amendment is clear and unambiguous and makes no provision for retrospective operation. In passing it is noted that the petitioner invokes the legislative statement of purpose accompanying the 1951 amendment. The statement of purpose itself contains no clear, strong and imperative language indicative of an intent to make the legislation retroactive, and it is in any event not available as an index of legislative intent. Hoffman v. Hock, 8 N.J. 397, 407, 408 (1952). For the reasons stated, the decision of the State Board of Education is affirmed. For affirmance  Chief Justice VANDERBILT, and Justices HEHER, OLIPHANT, WACHENFELD and BURLING  5. For reversal  None.