New Jersey Assembly Bill A5379

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/8/23
• Refer: 5/8/23

Caption

Provides that certain school districts will not receive State school aid reductions in 2023-2024 school year.

Impact

The bill mandates that the funding necessary to uphold these aid levels should be sourced from federal funding, particularly from allocations under the American Rescue Plan or any other federal assistance available to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. By ensuring that these districts do not face a decline in funding, the bill seeks to support educational stability during a tumultuous period for school funding, especially after decreases due to previous fiscal adjustments.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5379 introduces provisions aimed at certain school districts in New Jersey, specifically addressing the impact of state school aid reductions for the 2023-2024 academic year. The bill specifies that any school district subjected to a reduction in state aid for the academic years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, or 2023-2024 will continue receiving state school aid at a level equivalent to the highest amount they received in the prior three years. This aims to stabilize funding for these districts as they navigate the challenges posed by reduced state support.

Contention

However, the bill potentially raises questions regarding budget allocations and priorities within the state. There may be concerns from lawmakers or stakeholders regarding the sustainability of relying on federal funds to meet state educational funding needs. Additionally, while it aims to provide equitable support to affected districts, there may be debate regarding whether this approach adequately addresses the underlying issues causing state aid reductions, or if it merely serves as a temporary fix without a long-term plan.