TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st), which would establish a mechanism for allocating state school aid through 2025, was introduced to the Senate.
According to a March 20 release, “South Jersey is struggling,” stated Andrzejczak. “Unlike the wealthier parts of the state, we simply cannot raise property taxes to make up for the loss of state funding. This bill will ensure we maintain our education standards, retain our teachers and give our children the best opportunities we can. I hope other senators will join me in sponsoring this legislation. ”
The legislation is in response to last year’s revisions of the 2008 School Funding Reform Act and would guarantee at least a school district’s 2019-2020 level of state aid funding.
“We want our schools to be able to grow and expand their educational programs so that children in South Jersey are competing on a level playing field with their peers around the State. These dramatic funding cuts will set these programs back immeasurably,” stated Assemblyman Bruce Land (D-1st).
“While we are sympathetic to the funding needs of those districts that have been chronically underfunded for years, we do not believe the correction should come at the expense of students in South Jersey and elsewhere around the State. A fair funding formula has to be fair to all,” stated Assemblyman Matt Milam (D-1st).
If the school district, due to the state’s school funding formula, was to receive the less state funding than it received in 2019-2020, than it would automatically be bumped up to the 2019-2020 level. On the other hand, if the school district would receive more than the 2019-2020 level, than it would receive the greater amount.
The bill awaits assignment to a committee.
Dennis Township – Warning… Stock up on toilet paper! A 25 % tariff on Canada (day one) will raise the price of toilet paper on January 20th. We may get our eggs from local farms, but we WILL pay more for necessities…
