Multilingual Education Support and Services for Public Schools

Strategic Planning

In addition to helping district boards create bilingual and dual-language programs that promote cross-cultural literacy and high levels of academic achievement, we consult on a wide range of additional strategic issues impacting multilingual learners; including creating policy manuals for bilingual/ESL education, assisting with bilingual/ESL teacher evaluations, creating bilingual/ESL stakeholder consortiums, and preparing state and federal compliance reports.

Multilingual Education Compliance

We offer comprehensive support to counties, district school boards, and other education clients in complying with the varied and evolving regulations that ensure immigrant students and multilingual learners receive equal access to educational opportunities in New Jersey. Our multilingual education compliance group is led by a former state official who is one of the only individuals to create academic programs for the SLIFE (students with limited or interrupted formal education) community in New Jersey, and who uses that experience in helping educators meet their obligations to multilingual learners.

Equity and Excellence

Multilingual learners and immigrant students are entitled to equitable educational opportunities, including, for instance, access to “gifted and talented” and special education programs. We advise districts in their efforts to comply with that broad obligation, as well as the specific requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act to provide high-quality language instruction educational programs that allows students to meet state academic standards and develop English language proficiency. Our compliance services ensure the provision of culturally and linguistically responsive, researched-based, and effective language instruction educational programs (LIEPs) all in compliance with New Jersey Managing for Equality & Equity law, N.J.A.C. 6A:7.

Special Education

Special education is a vital resource that must remain accessible to multilingual learners. We advise school district boards on the preparation of bilingual/ESL and special education IEP for dually classified multilingual learners. We also assist district boards with the identification and placement of such students in both the bilingual/ESL program and special education program. We are available to guide district boards in creating bilingual/ESL and special education task forces.

Please be advised that Porzio, Bromberg & Newman represent the South Brunswick School District and is an exceptional legal firm that has been instrumental in assisting our school district
with personnel matters, negotiations, and all contract work for the past 6 years.

Our experience with them has been nothing short of outstanding, and we are confident that they can provide the same level of expertise and service to your district. Porzio, Bromberg & Newman has consistently demonstrated their reliability and dedication to our school district. They are a firm that delivers on their promises and have shown a deep commitment to meeting our needs promptly and effectively. Whether it is a pressing matter that requires immediate attention or a long-term project, the team at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman has always been available to provide insightful guidance and support. Their insight and expertise in personnel matters have been invaluable to us.

Their legal team possess a deep understanding of the complexities of personnel issues in the education sector. They have successfully navigated us through challenging situations with their strategic advice and deep knowledge of employment law. Further, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman represented my former district, Millstone Township, in the successful defense of a significant send/receive matter.

I wholeheartedly recommend Porzio, Bromberg & Newman to assist your school district. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or require further information about our experiences with Porzio, Bromberg & Newman. I am more than happy to discuss in more detail.

I write about Porzio, Bromberg & Newman and your consideration of their provision of legal services.

At the outset, in my 50+ years in public education, I have never met a more professional and competent team of attorneys. I became a client for educational legal services during my first year in the Springfield Public Schools in 2004. I began our collaboration with Mr. Vito Gagliardi, a principal of the firm. From the beginning, I was aware of the skill and professionalism of the PB&N Law Firm.

During my 16+ years working with PB&N, I was always confident about legal, regulatory, or contractual situations. Mr. Gagliardi and his team offered clear and direct guidance, differentiated solutions, and support as necessary. Additionally, Mr. Gagliardi’s addition of complementary non-legal services to PB&N’s portfolio was helpful in fulfilling state requirements in a variety of other areas. Our success in dealing with contractual, legal, and regulatory issues was unprecedented. Should you wish more clarification, I am willing to discuss specifics to the extent I can, and I am reachable at mad415@aol.com or my cell phone at 973-224-0708.

In closing, despite the professionalism and expertise, this law firm is one of the most cordial and hospitable. Phone calls are returned, messages are delivered, and urgency is appreciated and responded to accordingly. I offer my unconditional recommendation of PB&N Law firm for your consideration.

I have partnered with many professionals during my career as School Business Administrator/Board Secretary in Springfield, Union County, and in particular the law firm of Porzio Bromberg and Newman (PBN). I am pleased to write this referral on their behalf.

During my tenure, PBN’s successes in the courtroom had directly impacted the district’s ability to offer cutting edge learning centers for our students. For example, the district
had the good fortune to prevail in suits pertaining to parental challenges of special education placement, which in turn frees-up local funds for our learning environments.

In addition to successes in special education, PBN was instrumental for construction issues including bid challenges, change order request, and contract language disputes.

Considering the amount of funds allocated for such projects, PBN had limited the Board’s exposure for such challenges. In one particular case, PBN negotiated with a contractor a fair settlement, which in reality was favorable for the Board and saved thousands of dollars.
PBN, was also instrumental in the district’s success at the bargaining table with the local education association union. As lead counsel for the Board, a settlement with the
education association union yielded below county compensation averages, contributions to healthcare premiums (which was a novelty at the time), additional teacher scheduled work time and givebacks on FMLA. 

It’s my opinion; PBN is the epitome of “Professionalism”. They work hard, with ethical and moral compass in place, to partner with its client allowing the district to keep the focus on student learning and engagement. 

It is also my opinion that the district benefited for many years having a partner of this magnitude by its side providing good quality guidance in the public-school legal arena.

In my tenure, I can’t think of another firm that could produce such gains for its client.