Board urges members to weigh in on proposed school funding changes (SFRA reform, S.3917)

During new business at the Jan. 9 meeting, a board member briefed trustees on proposed changes to the School Funding Reform Act and recommended that board members or community advocates attend state sessions or submit written comments.

The board member said a state education committee met Dec. 5 and that Senate Bill 3917 would alter state school aid formulas, potentially affecting local tax levy caps, extraordinary special education aid and vocational stabilization aid. The board member noted that Dover had received increased equalization aid in recent years and urged members to advocate to preserve or expand that support. The member said the New Jersey School Boards Association provided information and that there are in-person and written-comment opportunities before the state board.

The trustee offered to forward links to the board and asked members to consider attending sessions in person or submitting written comments to the state to protect the district’s funding formula. No formal action or vote was taken on the matter at the meeting.