This fall, the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) has initiated a statewide public outreach program to gather perspectives on potential future changes in how New Jersey funds its public schools. The NJDOE School Funding Outreach Project will take place over the next year with a goal of modernizing the funding formula, addressing recurring funding formula issues and working toward a funding system that meets the constitutional requirement of providing every New Jersey student a “thorough and efficient” system of public education. NJPSA, as an association, is actively participating in this process through representation on key stakeholder discussion groups, by hosting a roundtable discussion with the NJDOE on September 18th, and by future participation in public outreach opportunities.
As school leaders we know you have direct experience on the needs of students, your staff and program and operational requirements. We urge you to participate in one or more of the multiple opportunities that the NJDOE is hosting for New Jerseyans to learn about school funding and share their perspectives. We also encourage you to share this information, which is housed on the NJDOE website, with your local families, educators, students, and community members to ensure broad participation in this process. One of New Jersey’s strongest assets is our system of public education and we all need to share our expertise and perspective during this process. Specifically, the NJDOE is seeking feedback on what students need to learn, grow, and succeed; where challenges remain; and how New Jersey’s school funding system can be more transparent, predictable, accountable, and responsive.
Regional and virtual forums will provide participants with an opportunity to offer public comments for up to three minutes. All feedback shared will be recorded and thoughtfully considered as part of this outreach effort. Registration for regional public forums is now available on the NJDOE Events webpage.
Current Regional and Virtual forums:
Central Region
Date/Time: Wed, Sept. 30, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Middlesex College, West Hall Parkview Room, 2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08818
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Sept. 25
South Region #1
Date/Time: Mon, Oct. 5, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Camden County College, 200 College Dr., Blackwood, NJ 08012
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Sept. 30
South Region #2
Date/Time: Wed, Oct. 14, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Stockton University, Campus Center Theatre, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Oct. 9
Virtual #1
Date/Time: Thu, Oct. 27, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Virtual
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Oct. 15
North Region
Date/Time: Tue, Oct. 27, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Essex County Schools of Technology, 498-544 W Market St, Newark, NJ 07107
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Oct. 19
Virtual #2
Date/Time: Thu, Nov. 12, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Virtual
Registration: NJDOE Event Registration by Nov. 4
Future Opportunities:
- Community Roundtables: Community roundtables will provide participants with an opportunity to engage in facilitated discussions, share their experiences and perspectives, and learn from others in a collaborative setting. Registration for community roundtables will be added to the events page on a rolling basis.
- Survey: Stakeholders will soon be able to share their perspectives through an online survey. Survey feedback will be used alongside input gathered through public forums and community roundtables to inform public summaries, future reports, and ongoing outreach efforts. This link will be available on the NJDOE’s website and included in a future newsletter.
Additional Resources:
For more information on NJDOE’s School Funding Outreach Project, including the School Finance Learning Series, (video series explaining school funding) are available on NJDOE’s website. Those interested in receiving future updates can sign up for NJDOE’s ongoing school funding newsletter.