The Assembly Education Committee on Monday released a bill directing the Legislative Services Commission to hire a consultant to conduct a comprehensive statewide study to determine the per pupil cost of a thorough and efficient education.

A-4060 would require the study to be completed by Nov. 15. The data would be used in the development of a new school funding system.

The state Department of Education already conducted such a study, but received criticism because 2003-2004 information was used. The figures have since been updated.

While the NJSBA recognizes some flaws in the existing cost study, it has concerns about the delay that a new study might cause in the implementation of a state school funding formula.

This information has been conveyed to the bill’s prime sponsor, Assemblyman Craig Stanley.  In addition, the issues raised by A-4060 will be brought to NJSBA’s ad hoc School Funding Reform Committee.

Status: Advances to the Assembly.