Bill > A3818

This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to establish criteria and make recommendations for designating school districts as "SDA districts," which are districts that previously received specific state aid. By March 1, 2025, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner must propose to the Legislature the economic and school facilities adequacy criteria for this designation, along with a list of districts that meet them. Economic criteria may include factors like a district's equalized valuation (the assessed value of property relative to its market value) per student, district income per student, and "municipal overburden," which refers to the financial strain on a municipality from providing services beyond what its tax base can support, as defined by the Commissioner. School facilities adequacy criteria could include overcrowding and critical health and safety needs. Importantly, any school district that was previously designated as an SDA district but loses this status after the bill becomes law will continue to receive 100% state funding for any school construction projects that were already in the design or construction phase before they lost their designation.

Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3818