NJSBA Comments on Senate, Assembly Approval of Funding Bill
TRENTON, January 7, 2008 — NJSBA President Kevin E. Ciak tonight issued the following statement in response to the Legislature's approval of the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (S-4000/A-500):
Our work is not over by any means. As the funding plan goes into effect, we have to ensure that school districts no longer face the prospect of tax increases while cutting back in the classroom or, at best, maintaining existing programs. Avoiding that situation will require on-going dialogue between legislators and the local school officials whose students will be affected by the new system. NJSBA is committed to maintaining that dialogue.
The plan's $530 million statewide increase for 2008-2009 will help a large number of school districts. For many, the increase provides welcome relief after six years of stagnant state education aid. For that reason NJSBA did not call for a delay in legislative action on the plan.
However, the New Jersey School Boards Association, which represents the state's local boards of education, continues to have serious reservations about several aspects of the plan. These provisions include the new method to distribute special education aid and the requirement that will force some districts to direct much of their aid increase toward tax reduction rather than the classroom.
While NJSBA will continue to lobby for changes, we will also fulfill our mission to educate local school board members about the new funding system. This will be especially critical as school districts begin 2008-2009 budget preparation.
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The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of district boards of education, advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.
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