New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S3403

Introduced
6/6/24  

Caption

Provides supplemental appropriation to ensure certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical, security categorical, and transportation aids.

Impact

This legislation is seen as a temporary measure to support school districts facing severe budget constraints due to the loss of state aid. By ensuring that these districts receive adequate funding levels equivalent to those calculated under the 'School Funding Reform Act of 2008,' S3403 aims to prevent catastrophic budget cuts that could detrimentally affect educational services and quality for students. The bill seeks to restore some equity in school funding that was lost under previous funding reallocations.

Summary

Senate Bill S3403 aims to provide supplemental appropriations from the Property Tax Relief Fund to ensure that certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical aid, security categorical aid, and transportation aid for the 2024-2025 school year. The bill specifically targets school districts that have seen a reduction in state aid in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years and are currently spending below the adequacy budget determined by law, which is necessary for providing a thorough and efficient education.

Contention

Discussion surrounding S3403 has indicated that there are underlying tensions regarding state school funding inequities. Advocates for the bill argue that it provides necessary relief, while critics emphasize the need for a more permanent solution to address systematic disparities in school funding across districts. Concerns have been raised about the fairness of state aid distribution and whether temporary fixes like S3403 can adequately address the core issues affecting underfunded school districts in New Jersey.

Companion Bills

NJ A4449

Same As Provides supplemental appropriation to ensure certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical aid, security categorical aid, and transportation aid.

Previously Filed As

NJ S1579

Provides supplemental appropriation to ensure certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical, security categorical, and transportation aids.

NJ A2899

Provides supplemental appropriation to ensure certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical aid, security categorical aid, and transportation aid.

NJ S796

Permits public and nonpublic schools to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.

NJ A1613

Permits public and nonpublic schools to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.

NJ A746

Requires certain school districts to receive additional State aid for certain State school aid reductions from previous school years; authorizes appropriation.

NJ A2269

Provides additional State school aid to certain school districts; makes an appropriation.

NJ A2764

Ensures that certain regional school districts receive no less than total amount of State school aid provided in 2024-2025 school year.

NJ S187

Ensures no school district receives State school aid reduction greater than five percent.

NJ A2882

Provides additional State pupil transportation aid to school districts that meet certain criteria.

NJ A3726

Ensures no school district receives State school aid reduction greater than five percent.

Similar Bills

AR SB425

To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code Concerning Enhanced Transportation; And To Declare An Emergency.

TX HB5663

Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.

KY HR1

A RESOLUTION establishing the 2026 membership of the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

KY HR1

A RESOLUTION establishing the 2025 membership of the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

LA HB719

Provides relative to the number of assistant district attorneys in each judicial district (RE +$2,274,000 GF EX See Note)

KY HR1

A RESOLUTION establishing the 2022 membership of the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

LA SB454

Provides for a population based allocation of assistant district attorney positions in the state. (7/1/26) (OR +$397,950 GF EX See Note)

VA HB29

Chaptered