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.

S 3697 requires New Jersey school boards to directly employ certified staff for most instructional roles, such as teachers and counselors, rather than contracting them out. The bill permits contracting for specific positions like substitute teachers, staff delivering financial literacy courses, or personnel supporting individualized student learning opportunities (e.g., internships), with approval from the Commissioner of Education. Boards may also seek exemptions for programs addressing learning loss or alternative education, but must still directly employ staff for core curriculum and graduation requirements. The bill defines key terms like "public school" and "individualized student learning opportunities" to clarify its scope, but does not detail virtual instruction provisions as referenced in the title.