Opinion ID: 2294246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 39

Heading: Periodic Review Measures

Text: SFRA provides mechanisms for review and revision of the Act periodically to ensure the funding still adequately meets the needs of the State's school districts. See N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-46. First, the CCCS must be reviewed and updated every five years. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-46(a). In addition, the resources and costs necessary to provide the CCCS must be reviewed and updated every three years in an Education Adequacy Report, presented to the legistature[legislature]. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-46(b). The Report must address base per pupil amounts, grade level weights, at-risk weights, LEP weights, combination weights, security aid, transportation aid, special education costs, and extraordinary special education aid thresholds. Ibid. In the interim years, the following must be adjusted by the CPI: base per-pupil amounts, per-pupil amounts for full day preschool, excess costs for general special education and speech-only special education, and the cost-coefficients for security and transportation aid. Ibid. The Commissioner is to revise the GCA every five years upon receipt of the census data. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-51(a). For special education, the Commissioner is to study the census-based methodology to determine if adjustments are needed. The recommendations and report are due by June 30, 2010. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-55(f). With regard to the local levy, the Commissioner must study the effect of growth limitations under SFRA by the end of the 2010-2011 school year to determine what would be the best way to address this issue. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-59. As for transportation, each executive county superintendent of schools shall complete a study of pupil transportation services. . . . to determine ways to provide pupil transportation services in a more cost-effective and efficient manner. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-57(d). The Commissioner may consider these recommendations in preparing the first Educational Adequacy Report. See ibid. and N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-46(b)(4).