Earlier this week, Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office, testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to ask for an increase in the amount of funds allocated for the nonpublic school nursing program, as well as other priorities.
In his testimony, Schorr highlighted the critical need for adequate nursing services in nonpublic schools. “The ultimate goal of the law is to ensure that every public and nonpublic school student has access to a full-time, state-funded nurse. Yet many smaller nonpublic schools still lack this essential resource,” Schorr stated.
He noted that the current per-pupil funding for nonpublic school nursing services stands at just $130, a modest increase from the $60 allocation when the program was first established in the 1991-1992 school year. With rising healthcare costs, inflation, and expanding responsibilities for school nurses, Schorr called on lawmakers to raise the per-pupil funding to at least $150.
This requested increase would provide approximately $3 million more for nonpublic school students across the state, for a total of about $10.5 million for students attending Jewish schools.
In addition to paying for a school nurse, nursing funds are allowed to be used for medical material and supplies, maintenance of school health records and other health related expenses such as EpiPens.
“Ensuring that every student has access to essential services like nursing is not just a matter of equity, but also a critical safety measure,” Schorr concluded.