New Jersey Senate Bill S3904

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/5/24
• Refer: 12/5/24

Caption

"S2 Appropriations Rescue Act"; appropriates $106.5 million to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to certain school districts, including districts negatively impacted by effects of P.L.2018, c.67.

Impact

The bill stipulates strict eligibility criteria for school districts to receive this emergency funding. A district must have been allocated state school aid for the 2024-2025 school year that falls below its adequacy budget and less than $19,000 per resident pupil. In addition, the bill allows districts to qualify if their state aid in the previous year was equal to or less than what they receive now, or if it has increased by up to $200,000. The allocated aid is calculated based on a formula that assigns $250 for each resident pupil within the eligible district.

Summary

Senate Bill S3904, known as the 'S2 Appropriations Rescue Act,' proposes an appropriation of $106.5 million to support specific school districts in New Jersey facing financial difficulties. This funding specifically targets districts that have been adversely affected by the prior law P.L.2018, c.67, which has contributed to significant budget constraints. The intent of the bill is to provide emergency supplemental aid to stabilize the financing of these districts and ensure they can continue to deliver quality education despite previous budget cuts.

Contention

The introduction of S3904 has sparked discussions about the ongoing effects of previous educational financing laws and the need for reform. Some opponents of the previous P.L.2018, c.67 law have raised concerns that such legislation has led to excessive teacher layoffs, reduced programming, and deteriorating educational conditions, particularly in urban and rural districts. The bill’s supporters emphasize the need to rectify these financial imbalances and ensure that every child in New Jersey has access to a thorough and efficient education.

Socioeconomic impact

This bill has significant implications for a diverse range of school districts, including urban areas like Jersey City, suburban districts such as Hillsborough, and rural communities like Chesterfield Township. The funding aims to alleviate budgetary hardships that have forced many districts to make severe cuts, thereby maintaining educational quality across varying socioeconomic boundaries.