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NJ SCR29
NJ SCR29Proposes amendment to Constitution to describe manner in which Legislature will provide for maintenance and support of thorough and efficient system of free public schools.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This proposed amendment to the Constitution states that the Legislature, through the enactment of laws, will determine the components of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools, and how such a system will be funded. The financing mechanism would include the amount that should be funded locally, as well as by the State. State funding provided for education must be equitable, take student and community needs into consideration, and not result in significant disparities in per student funding across different communities. However, the constitutional provision is not to be construed as establishing a minimum or maximum funding level. Additionally, the State would not be required to consider the amount of funding provided to a community in prior years when determining State funding in subsequent years.
AI Summary
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution that would clarify the Legislature's role in providing and funding public education. Specifically, the resolution would modify the existing constitutional language to explicitly state that the Legislature has the authority to determine the components of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools and establish how these schools will be funded. The proposed amendment emphasizes that the Legislature can decide the amount of funding from state and local sources, create allocation formulas, and determine funding purposes, while requiring that these funding mechanisms be equitable and consider variations in student and community needs based on recent data. Importantly, the amendment explicitly prevents the interpretation that there is a mandatory minimum or maximum funding level, and it prevents requiring state funding to be based on previous years' allocations. The proposed amendment would be submitted to voters at a general election, with a ballot question and interpretive statement explaining the proposed changes to the state's constitutional approach to public education funding and oversight.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SCR29 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/29_I1.HTM |
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