The most significant source of state funding for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools just got its first per-pupil increase in five years, said Agudah’s New Jersey director, Rabbi Avi Schnall, thanks to the efforts of Assembly Deputy Speaker Gary Schaer and Governor Phil Murphy,
“New Jersey leads the nation in nonpublic school security funding, and is generous with its technology, nursing, and textbook allocations as well,” explained Rabbi Schnall. “But the most important source of state funding is auxiliary services, known formally as ‘chapter 192 funding.’ This funding allows private schools to hire vendors to provide tutoring and in-class support for students who need extra help.”
Although the state budget calls for $995.33 to be spent on each student every year, a stipulation in the budget allows the Education Department to lower the allocation in case there is not enough money in the state’s budget. For the past five years, due to a shortage of available funds and a growing student population, the Education Department lowered the amount on a per-student basis. In 2021, each student was only projected to get $746 worth of services, down from $811 in 2020, $846 in 2019, and still below $885 allocated in 2018.
The freefalling per-pupil rate threatened the program’s viability, and at the request of school administrators and concerned parents, the Agudah’s New Jersey office engaged with key policymakers to increase funding for the program. “It was a two-year campaign, and the legislature finally broke the barrier and increased the allocation back in 2020,” said Rabbi Schnall.
Yet, as sometimes happens with government programs, red tape held up the increased allocation in 2020 from being implemented. This year, the Agudah once again focused on this problem, engaged with New Jersey legislators and officials in Governor Murphy’s office. Rabbi Schnall worked closely with Deputy Assembly Speaker Schaer on this issue, who added the necessary funding into the state budget. Governor Murphy – responding to the needs of the nonpublic school population – signed the increase into law in June.
Last week, the Department of Education announced that the per pupil rate for this coming school year (’21-’22) is going to be $895 – a funding level not seen since 2017. “This increase positively affects our children in a real and substantial way,” said Rabbi Schnall, “and as a community, we once again express our appreciation to Assembly Deputy Speaker Schaer and Governor Murphy for being attentive to our needs.”