As we are well aware, government funding to our yeshivos is limited. One of the few sources of funding available for our children is for students in need of compensatory education. Through ‘Chapter 192 Funding’ the State provides compensatory instruction in Language Arts and Math to needy students.
Although the per-service amount was increased slightly last year, from $995.00 (an amount that remained stagnant for 10 years), to $1040.33 an increase in the number of students caused a proration to just $988.31.
We are asking the Governor that the Budget language reflect the per-service amount for Chapter 192 to $1,300.00 per service and that he includes sufficient funding to the program to avoid proration. These measures are necessary to ensure that eligible students can get the services they need to be successful in school.
Another critical budget item is transportation funding.
The per-pupil amount for nonpublic transportation is $1,022.00
Given the fact that legislation was enacted in 2003 which provided for an increase in the nonpublic transportation ceiling commensurate with the Consumer Price Index figure, the amount each eligible student receives should be at least $1,300.00.
Therefore, we are asking for an increase of at least $280.00 per pupil to a minimum of $1.300.00 in an attempt to get more transportation for our children and to assist parents who need to find alternatives to busing. For FY ’23, the amount per-pupil was increased by $22.00 to $1,022 – hardly an increase which would create significant additional students being transported.
At the end of February, Governor Murphy will introduce his budget. It is crucial that we act now, and ask him to increase funds for Chapter 192 Funding as well as increase the funding for transportation.
Please click here to submit a letter asking Governor Murphy to give our children their fair share and increase funding.
Thank you for taking action!
Avi Schnall
Director New Jersey Office
Agudath Israel of America