Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CELESTE M. RILEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that the replacement of technology required during the course of a school year is eligible for emergency State funds.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning emergency technology aid for school districts and amending N.J.S.18A:58-11.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.18A:58-11 is amended to read as follows:
18A:58-11. There shall be appropriated annually [the] a sum of at least $500,000.00 to be distributed by the commissioner, upon the approval of the State board, to meet unforeseeable conditions, including substantial increases in enrollments and the replacement of technology, in any school district. The amount of such emergency aid shall be payable by the State Treasurer upon the certificate of the commissioner and the warrant of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.
(cf: P.L. 1975, c. 212, s. 45)
2. This act shall take effect on July 1 next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
Current law at N.J.S.A.18A:58-11 provides for the annual appropriation of State funds to be distributed by the Commissioner of Education to school districts to meet emergency situations that may arise during the course of a school year. Pursuant to this section of law, the FY 2012 appropriations act authorizes emergency funds in an amount not to exceed $650,000 for the 2011-2012 school year. This bill amends the current law to stipulate that the replacement of technology that may need to be made during the course of a school year is eligible for financing under this emergency fund. In light of the fact that technology plays such an important role in the educational process, it is vital that there be an available source of State funds to assist districts when circumstances arise during the course of the school year, such as the breakdown of equipment, that interfere with the district’s ability to provide students with critical access to technology.