Bill > ACR126

Introduced Session

This concurrent resolution expresses the intent of the Legislature that the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008," (SFRA) be revised to eliminate significant reductions in State aid to school districts, especially those districts located in the Highlands Region and other areas of the State in which development is restricted. In May of 2009, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the SFRA was constitutional. The court's determination was premised on the expectation that the State would continue to fund the SFRA at the level required by the SFRA's formula. However in July of 2018, the Legislature modified the SFRA through the enactment of P.L.2018, c.67, commonly referred to as S2. One of the provisions of S2 eliminated the State aid category of adjustment aid which was intended to hold school districts harmless against a precipitous loss in State aid. The elimination of adjustment aid and the mechanism established under S2 for the redistribution of State aid among school districts resulted in the loss of significant amounts of State aid for school districts, including school districts in the Highlands Region. Under the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," development is restricted and strictly regulated in order to protect the vast natural resources found in the Highlands Region. As a result, it is difficult for school districts located in the Highlands Region to raise the increased tax levy necessary to offset losses in school aid, such as those experienced under S2. In light of the fact that State aid under the SFRA is based on student population and other factors, the restrictions on development in the Highlands Region limit the ability of these municipalities to build new residential housing, which would increase school district enrollment, and add businesses to increase ratables. Due to the unique circumstances faced by school districts in the Highlands Region and the extraordinary benefits provided to the citizens of the State through the preservation of this region, it is critical and only equitable that the Legislature make revisions to the SFRA to ensure that school districts in the Highlands Region and other areas of the State are not subject to abrupt cuts in State aid.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Aura Dunn (R)*,  Gerry Scharfenberger (R),  Marisa Sweeney (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/24/2026)

Taxonomy

Official Document