Teach NJS will hold its annual legislative breakfast on Sunday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, to advocate for fair state funding of nonpublic schools. Executive Director Josh Caplan said, “By attending the legislative breakfast we can show our state government that we care about the safety and well-being of all children and fair funding for our schools.”
Teach NJS is a collaboration of nonpublic schools, synagogues, Jewish federations, lay leaders and the Orthodox Union. When Teach NJS launched in 2015, the state spent $28.5 million for private schools. That amount has increased to $39.7 million for the 2017-2018 year. Teach NJS is asking for $75 million for the 2019 fiscal year.
Caplan said that while day school parents know they must “shoulder the lion’s share of the cost of educating children,” they also pay taxes and want to get something back for the money. New Jersey allocates funding for private schools on a lower level than other states, he noted.
Teach NJS, part of the national Teach Advocacy Network, is focusing on four areas where increased state funding in necessary: security, technology, textbooks and nursing support. The state currently allocates $144 per pupil for security in public schools and $75 per pupil for students in private schools, as listed in Governor Murphy’s initial budget proposal, released last week. Caplan said Teach NYS would like to close the gap on those figures. “Given the tragic incidents of violence in schools around the country, we would like to ensure that the security needs of all school children are properly supported by the state.”
Technology is critical not only for individual students but for the state, said Caplan. Ten years ago, New Jersey wanted to make technology available in all classrooms. Money was included for that in the 2008 budget, but the downturn in the economy put the brakes on the amount funded. “Governor Murphy has spoken many times about the importance of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math) for the new economy. If we’re going to make New Jersey a hub for innovation and technology, all students must have comparable opportunities,” Caplan said. “Private schools have to either make do with limited technology or lean on other sources to update equipment such as grants, donations and increased tuition. We’re getting $37 per pupil; we would need $146 per pupil to keep up with public schools.”
Finally, there is a pressing need for increased funding to extend nursing care at private schools. The state government covers $97 per pupil for the cost for health personnel in private schools. In many cases a nurse is only available part-time or on certain days of the week, Caplan said. “When children need medical monitoring throughout the day for serious chronic conditions, if they are injured, become sick, have medication needs or have a severe allergic reaction, parents or other school professionals have to take on this role.” Teach NJS is asking the state to provide a minimum of $150 per student for nursing services to be at a level comparable to public schools.
Caplan encourages day school parents and all community members to come to the breakfast and make their voices heard. “It’s important for our community to show we have unity, we’re strong, we care about our children’s education a lot and we’re willing to stand behind something we think is important.”
For more information about the legislative breakfast, visit www.teachnjs.org or contact Teach NJS at [email protected].
By Bracha Schwartz
