Dear Christian School Administrator,
The students in your school have available to them several benefits, (textbooks, transportation, nursing services, technology, security...) provided by their tax-paying parents, in part because
of the advocacy of various individuals over the years to our representatives in New Jersey state government. Beginning in late winter the state budget is forged for the coming school year, and May and
June are the months of the year to connect often and vocally with your representatives.
The issues below are on the table for funding discussion and urgently need your input and those of your parents. So please read the following and contact your representatives
to the NJ Assembly and Senate to voice your opinion and/or support for ensuring that students in nonpublic schools are not discriminated against in funding matters. Here are the priority issues:
PRIORITY #1: Nonpublic School Transportation - The ceiling for nonpublic school transportation has been frozen at $884.00 since the 2007-2008 school year.
This situation means that districts and/or private bus operators cannot bid routes beyond $884.00 per pupil. Please take a look at these
talking points for discussing nonpublic school busing with
legislators and other interested individuals. Do not lose students due to not advocating regarding nonpublic student transportation!
PRIORITY #2: Nonpublic School Security Funding - Governor Christie's proposed 2018 Budget cut $9 million from nonpublic school aid,
reducing it from $95.5 million to $86.5 million. Included in the cuts were the elimination of the entire Nonpublic School Security Program which had been funded at $50.00 per student and the elimination of increases in nonpublic school nursing
services and technology aid. Please take a look at these talking points
for discussing these accounts with legislators and other interested individuals.
Here are the positions most nonpublic school families are taking on these matters:
FAMILIES SEEK:
1. To increase the $884.00 by moving funds currently in the Fiscal Year 2018 Governor's Budget. This is the major issue for ACSI schools.
2. To restore the $9 million removed from the nonpublic school accounts in the Governor's Budget at least to the level of funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations Act.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
1. Call, write, or email the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations
Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee and ask them to increase
the $884.00 to compensate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases over the last 11 years. If your district does not have legislators on either of the Committees, call, write, or email your
legislator and ask that they speak with members of those two committees in order to increase the funding. This task could be accomplished by shifting funds in the current Governor's Budget without
increasing the overall budget. You can use the ACSI Legislative Action Center to easily and quickly send a message to your legislators.
2. Call, write, or email the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations
Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee and ask them to restore the cuts in nursing,
technology, and security for the 2017-2018 school year. If your district does not have legislators on either of the Committees, call, write, or email your legislator and ask that they speak with
members of those two committees in order to restore this aid. You can use the ACSI Legislative Action Center to easily and quickly send a message to your legislators.
THIS IS NOT A ONE AND DONE CAMPAIGN. WE WILL NEED TO FOLLOW-UP A NUMBER OF TIMES IN MAY AND JUNE SO THE ISSUES REMAIN A PRIORITY IN THE MINDS OF THE LEGISLATORS.
Legislators do pay attention to the "nose counts" of how many emails, letters and phone calls they receive on issues. They do, you see, want to get
re-elected and aligning with the voters is the way they assure the likelihood of that happening. So please, pass this information on to your school parents, grandparents, and staff.
Please contact your legislators to let them know where you stand on these issues (today, next week, and next month) and pray!
Time is of the essence. Visit the ACSINJ website for the most up to date information on these important issues.
Daniel served in his government and influenced the public policy of Persia in favor of God's people. Be a Daniel. Don't assume someone else will be. Be one yourself.
Blessings and joy,
Doug Batchelder
NJ ACSI Public Policy Liaison
8 Jade Ln. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-7327
908-859-3095 // dkbconsulting@gmail.com