GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS/GSCS     6-22-08

A2873/S1457 School Construction bill-issues   ................................................................................................................  
• There will be an annual cap on funding for ‘other districts’ [regular operating districts, not Abbott]
The annual cap is not specified nor mentioned in the bill.

  Given the priority filter criteria specified in the bill, GSCS has concerned that cap limitations may rule out many applications.

• Bill was amended [committee substitute] late Thursday night the 19th of June, not publicly available until Saturday 21st.
   
• The Committee Substitute amended the % of aid available back to a 40% minimum (GSCS was instrumental in seeing to 40% minimum enacted wtih the original school construction act, and likewise advocated for that % to remain operative in this new legislation), while taking away a graduated aid increase that was in place under PL 2000.

 • The priority process requires regulatory definition and should provide an equitible as well as accessible program that can reach all regular operating districts.