New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A350

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

Impact

The bill aims to safeguard the interests of sending districts by allowing them to have a voice in educational decisions even when their student numbers decline. The legislation specifically focuses on cases where the receiving district is eligible for commercial valuation stabilization aid, thereby acknowledging the financial dynamics that influence educational governance. This is crucial for maintaining equitable representation in situations where smaller districts may struggle to maintain their influence due to fluctuating student populations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A350 addresses representation on school boards for certain sending districts in New Jersey, specifically allowing them to maintain representation on receiving boards even if their enrollment numbers fall below a legislated threshold. This change is proposed to ensure that sending districts remain involved in the governance of receiving districts, particularly the Atlantic City School District, which is of significant importance due to the financial contributions from those sending districts.

Contention

While proponents argue that this bill is essential for ensuring that sending districts have ongoing representation proportional to their significant tuition contributions, critics may raise concerns about the implications of allowing representation despite decreased enrollments. The contention arises around the balance of power between sending and receiving districts, and whether securing representation without meeting specific enrollment criteria undermines the effectiveness of the receiving district's board composition.

Implementation

The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon passage, which could lead to immediate changes in how local boards of education operate regarding sending-receiving relationships. Moreover, it ensures that the educational needs and oversight of the sending districts are accounted for, providing them with a continued voice in an evolving educational landscape.

Companion Bills

NJ S179

Same As Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

NJ S3399

Carry Over Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3399

Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

NJ S179

Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

NJ A3643

Provides certain sending school districts one nonvoting advisory representative on receiving school district board of education.

NJ S656

Provides certain sending school districts one representative with limited voting rights on receiving school district board of education.

NJ S3804

Increases sending district representation on receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances.

NJ A5865

Increases sending district representation on receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances.

NJ A1129

Increases sending district representation on receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances.

NJ S735

Increases sending district representation on receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances.

NJ A5894

Provides tax levy cap adjustment for certain school districts experiencing reductions in State school aid.

NJ A3452

Provides tax levy cap adjustment for certain school districts experiencing reductions in State school aid.

Similar Bills

CA AB979

Local agency formation commissions: district representation.

NJ S3399

Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

NJ S179

Provides that certain sending school districts will continue to have representation on certain receiving boards of education despite decreases in enrollment numbers.

NJ A3643

Provides certain sending school districts one nonvoting advisory representative on receiving school district board of education.

CA AB1543

Community colleges: student representation fees.

CA AB1504

Community colleges: student representation fee: statewide community college student organization: goals.

CA AB3068

County government: contract legal counsel: auditor-controller.

CA AB2798

Collective bargaining: Legislature.