Statement from Danielle Farrie, Education Law Center Research Director, on Governor Murphy’s Proposed FY26 NJ State Budget
Governor Murphy’s proposed FY26 State Budget not only continues, for only the second year, to fully fund the State’s obligation under the school funding formula (SFRA), but it also makes critical improvements that are necessary to ensure stability and predictability for New Jersey’s students, educators and school districts.
We applaud Governor Murphy and Commissioner Dehmer for responding to education stakeholders’ and advocates’ concerns about the school funding formula, including those surfaced over the past year by ELC, and for making improvements so that the formula better meets the needs of all students.
Capping state aid reductions in FY26 brings much needed stability to school districts and lessens the likelihood that a district will be forced to make drastic cuts that compromise students’ opportunity to learn. The proposed budget also gives school districts greater flexibility to raise local funding, if necessary, to meet the school funding formula’s adequacy budget targets.
Changes proposed in the Governor’s budget correct for inequities in how students with disabilities are funded and how the local fair share is calculated. This budget also provides additional resources so that school districts can support student mental health, offer high-impact tutoring, and create safe and secure learning environments.
We are also encouraged that the Governor continues his commitment to expanding high-quality, state-funded preschool. Early education programs are critical to student success and are especially important to ensure that low-income students enter kindergarten ready to learn.
We are disappointed to see no new investments in the Schools Development Authority to fund critical renovations and capital projects for aging, overcrowded and out-of-date school facilities in urban communities. The $50 million for emergent projects, flat from last year, is insufficient to support the ever growing demand for repairs and upgrades to maintain healthy and safe school buildings.
Related Stories:
ELC TO THE STATE OF NJ: THIS IS THE HOW AND WHY OF REVIEWING THE CURRENT SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
NEW ELC REPORT: FIX THE CONTRADICTION IN THE LOCAL SHARE TO IMPROVE SCHOOL FUNDING IN NJ
Press Contact:
Sharon Krengel
Director of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Communications
skrengel@edlawcenter.org
973-624-1815, x240