The Christie administration has proposed changes to the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 that would adjust the state aid formulas and could reduce funding for low-income students, children learning English and those with special needs, according to advocacy group Save Our Schools New Jersey.
The New Jersey Legislature would have to approve the changes for the new funding formulas to become law, but both Democratic-controlled chambers passed resolutions rejecting the Christie administration’s proposal. Governor Christie made similar proposals in last year’s budget, but these changes were eliminated in the final agreement as Democratics charged Governor Christie with trying to circumvent the ruling of the state Supreme Court.
Revising the current formulas for funding schools is likely to again be a contentious topic during the budget process. Governor Christie unveils his budget February 26 and the Legislature must act to pass the budget before the end of June.