Excludes nonpublic school transportation costs from calculation of school district local share.
Impact
By amending P.L.2007, c.260, the bill fundamentally alters how school districts calculate their local share of school funding. Currently, the local share is partly determined by property valuations and district income, but with A5788, districts will subtract the costs incurred for nonpublic school transportation from these metrics. This may result in an increased eligibility for state aid, potentially benefiting districts with significantly higher transportation costs for nonpublic students.
Summary
Assembly Bill A5788, introduced in June 2025, is a legislative proposal aimed at revising the school funding formula in New Jersey. Specifically, the bill seeks to exclude the costs associated with the transportation of nonpublic school students from the calculation of a school district's local share for state school aid purposes. This adjustment implies that such transportation expenses will not factor into the financial assessment of a district's capability to fund its educational responsibilities.
Conclusion
The bill is set to take effect immediately, with its impact assessed during the first full school year following its enactment. Ultimately, A5788 signifies an important discussion point regarding the balance of funding between public and nonpublic education and how state support should be distributed among various school districts to ensure fairness and equity in educational opportunities.
Contention
The introduction of A5788 is likely to elicit various responses from different stakeholders within the education community. Proponents suggest this change could enable more equitable funding by allowing districts to allocate resources more effectively without the burden of transportation costs affecting their aid calculations. However, dissenters might argue that this could unfairly favor districts that already have more financial support, further widening the gap between affluent and less wealthy districts.
Modifies cost thresholds for reimbursement of extraordinary special education costs; requires State to bear full cost of nonpublic school transportation for certain school districts.
Makes various changes to school funding and budgeting laws; eliminates use of census-based funding for special education aid; establishes reimbursement program for school district fuel costs.
Makes various changes to school funding and budgeting laws; eliminates use of census-based funding for special education aid; establishes reimbursement program for school district fuel costs.