Bill > SR25

Introduced Session

This Senate resolution urges the State of New Jersey to fully fund extraordinary special education aid for students in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and thereafter. The "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" (SFRA), P.L.2007, c.260 (C.18A:7F-43 et al.), provides that the State is to reimburse school districts for certain costs of educating special education students when the costs exceed $40,000 for a student educated in a public school program or $55,000 for a student educated in a private school for students with disabilities. The extraordinary special education aid serves multiple important purposes, including helping school districts meet the high costs of educating the most vulnerable children, helping districts stabilize their budgets, and ensuring that students' individual needs are fulfilled. However, despite the SFRA's requirements, the State has not fully funded its formula for distributing extraordinary special education aid to school districts. Failing to fully fund extraordinary special education aid may hinder a district's ability to provide necessary special education services and puts even greater pressure on a school district's overall budget. It is critical that the State fully fund extraordinary special education aid in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and thereafter in order to ensure that special education students are provided with the services they need and that school districts are able to provide the necessary resources for all of their students.

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Joe Pennacchio (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document