ACR204

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section IV, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution.

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Amend Article VIII, Section IV, paragraph 1 to read as follows:

1. The Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years by annually appropriating to the several school districts of the State an amount, to be determined annually, multiplied by the number of students who are enrolled in the public schools of that school district or sent to a private school for students with disabilities by the school district. Each student shall be allowed to enroll in any public school located in the State to which the student has been admitted.

(cf: Art. VIII, Sec. IV, par. 1)

2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

b. In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE STATE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON EQUAL PER PUPIL BASIS AND TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL TO WHICH ADMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED
	YES	Do you approve amending the Constitution to change the way that the State funds public schools? Do you approve amending the Constitution to require that State funding to school districts be on an equal per pupil basis? Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow students to enroll in any public school to which admission has been granted?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment to the Constitution changes how the State provides funding for public schools. The amendment would require that any State funding provided to school districts be provided on a per pupil basis. The amendment would also allow students to attend any public school in the State to which admission has been granted.

STATEMENT

This proposed constitutional amendment specifies that the Legislature will provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools by providing State aid to school districts on a per pupil basis. The per pupil funding level will be determined each year. Additionally, the proposed amendment would allow students to enroll in any public school that has granted admission to that student.