NJ schools ordered to hold spring talks with nonpublic schools on state-funded aid
TRENTON, N.J. – There is no rest for the weary in cash strapped school districts like Lakewood, Jackson, Middletown, Toms River, Montclair and others facing cutbacks and reduced funding. Those districts are now being directed to begin their coordination of funding for private schools operating in their district as the administration of Mikie Sherrill is doubling down to make sure non-public schools get their state funding.
New Jersey is directing school districts to begin consultation meetings with nonpublic schools in the coming weeks to prepare for Fiscal Year 2027 state-funded programs and services, according to a March 18 memo from the Department of Education. The guidance puts districts on notice that they are responsible for making sure services for eligible nonpublic school students are delivered on time and in line with school needs.
The memo, sent to chief school administrators and district administrators for nonpublic school programs, came from Joseph Howe, deputy commissioner in the Division of Finance and Business Services. It states that school districts with nonpublic schools inside their boundaries “are responsible for ensuring the on-time delivery of State-funded programs and services to nonpublic school students.”
State officials said districts “need to hold timely and meaningful consultation meetings with respective nonpublic schools” so that Fiscal Year 2027 services “meet the needs of the nonpublic schools.” The state also encouraged districts to send consultation forms in advance, with information pre-populated “when able,” so nonpublic school representatives can come prepared to decide how funds should be used.
Key Points
- New Jersey told districts to begin spring consultations with nonpublic schools for Fiscal Year 2027 programs
- The state recommends consultations by mid-April if districts may change service providers, and by mid-May if services will remain the same
- Districts must also collect signed health and safety compliance attestations from registered nonpublic schools
State sets consultation timeline for districts
The state drew a distinction between districts planning changes and those keeping current arrangements in place. The memo says the New Jersey Department of Education “recommends that any school district contemplating a change in nonpublic service provider hold consultations by mid-April.” If there are no expected changes, “consultations should be held by mid-May.”
The department also made clear that districts have flexibility in how the meetings are conducted. “Consultations may be conducted virtually; electronic signatures are acceptable; and all signed forms may be collected via email,” the memo states.
That guidance is aimed at streamlining the process while still requiring formal documentation between districts and nonpublic schools. The memo also encouraged nonpublic school representatives to attend with “all applicable fields completed” on the consultation form in order to make funding decisions during the meeting.
Health and safety attestation required
Along with program planning, the state is requiring districts to collect a signed facilities compliance form from registered nonpublic schools during the spring consultation process.
“To help ensure the health and safety of New Jersey’s nonpublic school students and staff, the NJDOE requires that all nonpublic schools registered with the NJDOE comply with the health and safety facilities laws and regulations,” Howe wrote. The memo adds that districts must collect the signed “Attestation of Compliance with Health and Safety Requirements of Nonpublic School Facilities” at spring consultations.
The requirement ties program participation to compliance with state health and safety standards for nonpublic school buildings, adding another administrative step for districts as they prepare next year’s services.
State highlights available programs and transportation support
The memo points districts to a series of state resources covering nonpublic school services, including Auxiliary and Remedial Services under Chapters 192 and 193, nursing services, technology, textbooks, school security, transportation, and health and safety requirements.
The department also highlighted transportation support materials for districts and Cooperative Transportation Services Agencies, including the “Calendar of Key Dates for Nonpublic School Transportation” and “Nonpublic Transportation Procedures.”
For districts with questions, the memo directs them to contact the Office of School Finance at Nonpublic@doe.nj.gov.
You can read the full memo here.