Last year Teach NJ – backed by the strong support of our community advocates – succeeded in securing unprecedented increases in both STEM and security funding for our schools.
With the onset of COVID-19, the most serious public health crisis in more than 100 years, we should feel incredibly proud and grateful for the increases in several key areas that nonpublic schools will enjoy for the next 9 months.
In 2020, Trenton’s imperative to address the pandemic has created a tax revenue shortfall of approximately $4.5 billion. Nevertheless, Governor Murphy signed the budget this week with several increases in funding for nonpublic schools, including Jewish day schools and yeshivot.
Security funding has increased by $25 per pupil – from $150 per pupil to $175 per pupil.
STEM funding has continued at $5 million.
Nursing funding has increased from $97 per pupil to $102 per pupil.
192 Auxiliary Services (including compensatory education, English language learning, and home instruction) funding has increased by $2 million – the first time funding has increased in this area for more than 10 years.
Despite an unexpected decline in revenues and a massive increase in expenses, Trenton’s increased support of our schools reflects a continued recognition that all students deserve a high-quality education in a safe setting. Teach NJ would like to thank Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Sweeney and Assemblymember Gary Schaer for their unwavering leadership. We would also like to acknowledge the critical efforts of Assemblymembers Swain and Tully, and Senators Lagana and Diegnan, to ensure that these increases were included in the budget. Additionally, Teach NJ would like to acknowledge the tremendous partnerships of the Nonpublic School Coalition of New Jersey, including Agudath Israel, the Catholic Conference of New Jersey and others who have championed our cause alongside us.
In the days, weeks and months ahead, Teach NJ will continue to focus on ensuring that lawmakers understand that pandemics don’t discriminate.
Now more than ever, during this unprecedented time of need for our schools, Teach NJ is committed to the absolute assistance for each and every school in navigating state programs and advocating to secure crucial government funding.