The N.J. Department of Education and the state Secretary of Higher Education have jointly proposed new rules to implement the “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act,” which was approved by voters during the November 2018 general election. The act authorized the issuance of $500 million in general obligation bonds to finance career and technical education (CTE) grants, school security projects, and water infrastructure improvement grants. The aggregate amount of the bonds is to be allocated as follows:
- $350 million for county vocational school district career and technical education (CVSD CTE) grants ($275 million) and for school security project grants ($75 million) to schools;
- $50 million for county college CTE grants; and
- $100 million for school district water infrastructure improvement grants.
The proposed rules specify the eligibility criteria and procedures for the review and approval of each of the grants supported by the act.
A copy of the full proposal, which includes addresses for public comment, is available on the N.J. Department of Education’s website and can be accessed here.
Public comments on the proposal may be submitted via regular mail or electronically. The deadline for submitting comments is Feb. 14, 2020.
On Dec. 17, School Board Notes published an article regarding procedures for compliance with Alyssa’s Law, which requires public school buildings to be equipped with a panic alarm linked to local law enforcement. Proceeds from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act will be used to reimburse districts for complying with Alyssa’s Law. The earlier story on Alyssa’s Law can be found here.