This bill modernizes the New Jersey Council of County Colleges' role in state funding and strategic planning. It requires the Council to submit an annual unified budget request to the Governor and Legislature, establish a performance-based funding formula (capping state operational support at 43% of colleges' base-year costs), and develop a strategic plan aligned with state priorities. The Council must also advise state agencies on higher education policy, promote equitable funding, and enhance data sharing for student success initiatives. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by P.L.2025, c.371.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts in every county to receive a minimum geographic cost adjustment (GCA) of 1.0 when calculating state school aid. The GCA adjusts funding based on local costs, and this bill mandates it cannot fall below 1.0 for any county, ensuring all districts get at least the base funding level. It amends existing law to clarify that the commissioner must develop and update this adjustment every five years using census data, while maintaining the 1.0 minimum. This directly affects all public school districts statewide by guaranteeing a baseline funding level regardless of geographic cost differences. The bill focuses on the formula's structure, not specific outcomes or advocacy.
This bill creates a 13-member "School Finance Reform Commission" to study and recommend improvements to New Jersey's school funding system. The commission includes the Commissioner of Education and State Board President (ex officio), plus 11 public members appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor. It will specifically examine school district property tax levies and the calculation method for equalization aid, with a report due within one year. The commission's recommendations will inform potential changes to school budgeting and funding policies, directly affecting all public school districts in New Jersey. The bill expires 30 days after the report is issued.
S 3382 increases the maximum bond amount the state can issue to cover its share of school facility projects in SDA districts (high-need districts) and other school districts. The new limits set $2.9 billion for SDA districts and $1 billion for all other districts (with $50 million reserved for county vocational schools). Voter approval is required before any bonds under these new limits can be issued. This directly affects school districts seeking state funding for building improvements, enabling more resources for facility upgrades while maintaining fiscal oversight.
This bill establishes a 5% cap on annual reductions to state school aid for New Jersey public school districts. It limits how much a district's state funding can decrease compared to the previous year's budget, ensuring no district loses more than 5% of its net budget in aid. For districts with positive aid differentials (those receiving more aid than the previous year), the bill gradually increases the required aid reduction over time (from 13% to 100% by 2024-2025). Exceptions protect certain districts, including those in high-tax municipalities with spending below adequacy or regional districts formed under specific grant programs.
This New Jersey bill (S 3442) requires the next Educational Adequacy Report to include a comprehensive review of school funding formulas after consulting with stakeholders and experts. It mandates that the Governor, working with the Commissioner of Education, engage school administrators, parents, students, and community members to identify underfunded resources, and commission school finance experts to review methodologies for calculating key funding amounts. These amounts include base per-pupil funding, special education costs, transportation aid, and preschool funding. The goal is to ensure the funding formulas adequately support students meeting state education standards.
ACR 126 is a concurrent resolution expressing the New Jersey Legislature's intent to revise the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) to prevent abrupt state aid cuts for school districts. It specifically targets districts in the Highlands Region (protected by the Highlands Water Protection Act) and other areas with development restrictions, which limit their ability to raise local taxes to offset aid losses. The resolution highlights that eliminating "adjustment aid" in 2018 under S2 caused significant funding shortfalls, and the current formula disadvantages these districts due to restricted housing and business growth. This resolution does not change the law but formally urges the state to revise the SFRA to stabilize funding.
This constitutional amendment (SCR 80) would revise New Jersey's constitution to clarify that the Legislature, not courts or other entities, determines how to fund and structure the state's public school system. It requires that school funding laws consider student and community needs using current data to ensure equitable per-pupil funding across districts, while explicitly prohibiting minimum or maximum State funding levels. The amendment also states the Legislature is not obligated to base annual funding on prior-year amounts. This change would directly affect all New Jersey public schools and their funding mechanisms by shifting decision-making authority to the Legislature.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts receiving preschool education aid to place at least 50% of preschool students in licensed child care provider programs (like licensed daycare centers), with the remainder allowed in district-run programs or Head Start. It directly affects school districts that receive state preschool funding under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. Districts may apply for a waiver from this requirement if sufficient licensed child care placements aren't available within their district, but must provide justification to the Department of Education. The law takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.
This bill adjusts New Jersey's school district tax levy cap to allow for costs associated with opening a new school facility during the budget year. It directly affects school districts building new facilities by permitting an increase in their tax levy to cover specific costs like new teaching staff, materials, equipment, and maintenance. The adjustment is calculated as part of the standard tax levy growth formula, which otherwise limits increases to 2% plus adjustments for enrollment, health care, and pension costs. This change ensures districts aren't forced to absorb significant one-time facility expenses within the standard 2% tax levy cap. The provision applies to the next school budget year after enactment.
