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Sweeney Says NJ Should Prioritize Special Needs in Schools

Phil Gregory
/
WBGO

New Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney is prioritizing special education as part of his school funding reform plan.

Sweeney says more funding for special needs programs in schools has been universally agreed upon by lawmakers and advocates during recent education hearings.  He believes families with special needs children are looked at unfairly in some communities.

“When a family moves in with a child with disabilities, the first comments are ‘there goes our school budget’ and the disabled person basically becomes frowned upon instead of being welcomed,” Sweeney said.  “Everyone recognizes we are really not funding it properly.”

Sweeney’s school funding plan is designed to work over a five-year period.  He says it would bring every state school to 100-percent of funding needed to operate most efficiently.

“It’s suburban, urban, rural,” said Sweeney.  “That they would all be treated the same.  Elementary education is cheaper than high school education.  Vocational education is more expensive than high school education.  The money will follow the child.  That’s what we’re getting back to, making sure the money is there so the kids can get an education.”

Ang1SCHOOL022417.mp3
Senate President Steve Sweeney explains what he doesn't want to hear in Governor Chris Christie's budget address next week.

The future of New Jersey’s school funding formula is on the minds of state lawmakers less than a week away from Governor Christie’s 2018 budget address. 

“What I’m fearful of and hoping not to hear is that he wants to do his formula,” Sweeney said.  “Because his formula will devastate a lot of urban school districts.  Education is the key to an opportunity in life, not a guarantee, but an opportunity.  And defunding our urban school districts is not the answer.”