The Governor signed legislation P.L.2010 c.73 (A-2794 (Prieto)) which permit school districts to charge tuition for remedial or advanced summer classes beginning this coming summer.
Prior to enactment of the new law State Board of Education regulation (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-10.2) prohibited a district from charging tuition to a student domiciled in the district for a remedial or advanced course offered during the summer session. N.J.A.C. 6A:32-10.3 (b) permitted a district to charge tuition for an enrichment course provided during a summer school session however.
The new law allows school districts to charge tuition for remedial or advanced courses as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:32-2.1 based on guidelines as follows:
- Full tuition may be charged is a student’s household income exceeds the household income limit for the reduced price lunch program.
- No tuition may be charged if a student’s household income is at or below federal poverty guidelines.
- For students from households with incomes that exceed federal poverty guidelines by 1.30 (the limit for the free lunch program) but are at or below the federal poverty guidelines multiplied by 1.85 (the limit for the reduced price lunch program) the district may charge 75% of the full tuition.
- For students from households with incomes that exceed the federal poverty guidelines but are at or below the limit for the free lunch program the district may charge 50% of the full tuition.
The law also provides that a board of education may charge tuition for a remedial advanced or enrichment course provided to a student who does not reside in the school district at an amount to be determined by the board.
The law signed September 9 takes effect immediately.