Bill > S3598

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, 2026, 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 these criteria. Economic criteria may include factors like a district's equalized valuation per resident pupil (the assessed value of property in the district relative to the number of students), district income per resident pupil, and the "municipal overburden," which refers to the financial strain on a municipality due to its tax base and the services it provides. School facilities adequacy criteria could involve issues like overcrowding or critical health and safety needs. Importantly, the bill also ensures that if a school district previously designated as an SDA district loses that designation after this bill becomes law, it will still receive 100% state funding for any school facilities project that was already in the design or construction phase before the designation was lost.

Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S3598