(Courtesy of Teach NJ) Teach NJ applauds a record New Jersey state budget allocation of nearly $140 million for the education of nonpublic school students—an almost $10 million increase from last year.
This increase is a culmination of Teach NJ’s advocacy efforts for budgetary increases in security, transportation and special needs services. These efforts are fueled in large part by the support and active engagement of nonpublic school parents, students, school administrators and lay leaders.
“The increase in security funding is especially remarkable, given that one of Teach NJ’s founding goals was to achieve parity in the funding of security for public schools and Jewish day schools and yeshivot,” said Daniel Mitzner, COO and director of government affairs of Teach Coalition. “This goal has now been achieved, and we recognize its critical importance in the face of rising antisemitism and violence across the country.”
“I am proud to champion critical funding for the education of all children, regardless of where they attend school,” said Assemblyman Gary Schaer, who sponsored the Auxiliary Funding Resolution and championed the budget increases across the board. “The state’s increased investment in school security, transportation and auxiliary services for nonpublic-school students will make a meaningful difference to families and students around the state.”
Teach NJ is deeply grateful to the following dedicated public servants for sponsoring resolutions that led to these funding increases: Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Assemblywomen Lisa Swain and Eliana Pintor Marin, and Senators Joseph Lagana and Richard J. Codey.
Teach NJ is also grateful to the following champions who helped usher in this historic level of funding: Governor Phil Murphy, Senators Paul A. Sarlo, Gordon M. Johnson, Vin Gopal, Senate President Scutari, Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully and Speaker Craig J. Coughlin.
“I hope this latest win for Teach NJ demonstrates to everyone what we can achieve for our students in Jewish day schools and yeshivot through collective action,” said Katie Katz, executive director of Teach NJ. “Together, we can build on this momentum to strengthen state support for investing in the education and future of all New Jersey’s children.”
Please visit https://teachcoalition.org/nj/ for more information.
