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NJ Spotlight--Murphy Administration Gives Schools $15M in ‘Emergency Aid’
Thirteen school districts will receive extra funding, just a small fraction of the $362 million sought by 29 districts
As questions and debates heat up again over how — and how much — the state should provide in school aid, the Murphy administration will be sending another $15 million to 13 districts in midyear “emergency aid.”
Announced late Friday afternoon, the extra money is a fraction of the $362 million sought by a total of 29 districts. Newark received just $4 million of the $36 million it applied for. Jersey City asked for $215 million and received none. Paterson, facing teacher layoffs and other cuts, requested $24.6 million and received just $5 million. Still pending is an application from Camden for another $43.9 million.
https://www.njspotlight.com/2019/12/murphy-administration-gives-schools-15m-in-emergency-aid/
John Mooney | December 9, 2019 | Education
NJ Spotlight--A Fiery Debate on Dangers, Benefits of Vaping: NJ Spotlight Roundtable
Health care providers and lawmakers call for state to pass legislation protecting young people from dangers of e-cigarettes
Some sparks flew during NJ Spotlight’s vaping roundtable Friday as participants weighed the benefits e-cigarettes may offer some adult smokers against the growing evidence that the vape industry has targeted children, resulting in a new generation of nicotine addicts. But there was agreement about the need for more public education about these products and consistent enforcement to ensure these devices aren’t sold to those under age 21.
Lilo H. Stainton, Joanna Gagis | December 9, 2019 | Roundtables
Star Ledger--Controversial bill allowing property tax hikes clears Senate committee
The state Senate budget committee on Thursday approved a bill that would allow school districts losing state aid to make up their losses through increased property taxes, despite opposition from Gov. Phil Murphy.
The bill was introduced late last month by the powerful Senate president, who said he was heeding the concerns of local school districts as part of his efforts to rebalance aid distributed to districts across the state.
Samantha Marcus | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| December 6, 2019
Chalkbeat--State: Newark is on track to regain full control of its schools in 2020
Newark is poised to regain full control of its schools early next year, formally ending a decades-long state takeover, state officials said this week.
The state restored authority to Newark’s elected school board in 2018 under the condition that it meet the requirements of a two-year transition plan. A newly released progress report says the district has so far “fully implemented” those requirements, according to a presentation Wednesday before the state Board of Education. If the district continues on that course, it will exit state monitoring and complete its return to local control in February.
Patrick Wall| December 6, 2019
Education Dive--Transgender students are 'winning in the courts,' require accommodation
While several lawsuits are pending, an "overwhelming" consensus among the lower courts thus far suggests schools must accommodate transgender and nonbinary students.
As the case of Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board heads for another round of oral arguments in the coming months, schools are tasked with the decision to either allow or bar transgender students from accessing bathrooms and facilities aligning with their gender identities.
Naaz Modan| Dec. 6, 2019
