Fiscal Year 2024 state budget includes additional funding for nonpublic school transportation

In a July 12 press release, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) has announced a significant increase in nonpublic school transportation funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, with the per-pupil ceiling being raised to $1,165 from $1,022.

The budget was passed by both Houses of the New Jersey Legislature on June 30 and signed by Governor Murphy hours before the new fiscal year began on July 1. Increased funding for nonpublic school transportation has been a leading issue for the NJCC, which serves as the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in New Jersey, and the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJ CAPE), which is a coalition of national organizations and state affiliates serving private elementary and secondary schools.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic created a shortage of school bus drivers, this budget increase will allow for a greater number of transportation routes and additional drivers. In his March 27 testimony to the Assembly Budget Committee on behalf of NJCC and NJ CAPE, NJCC’s Director of Education, Dr. George Corwell, said “the problem finding school bus drivers continues to be a disaster for the nonpublic school community. Transportation is the lifeblood of nonpublic schools, and to lose significant amounts of transportation affects the enrollment of nonpublic schools, even causing possible school closures.”

Corwell added that “many parents are unable to transport their child to a nonpublic school because they are working multiple jobs to pay tuition,” which creates an even greater need for safe, reliable transportation for students, many of whom come from underserved communities. In response to the increase, Corwell acknowledged that this year’s increase of $143 per-pupil adds more money to last year’s ceiling of $1,022, but feels additional funding is needed to maintain a healthy transportation infrastructure, especially given the savings to state and local budgets that are realized when a student attends a nonpublic school.

“We are truly grateful to our supporters in the Legislature who fought on behalf of parents who deserve the right to have their children transported to the school of their choice. But funding remains at a lower level than is necessary because 85% of nonpublic routes are run by private contractors with no limit on their profit margin.”

NJCC’s executive director, James King, extended his appreciation to Corwell, members of NJ CAPE, and Catholics across New Jersey who helped make the increase possible by contacting their legislators to raise awareness around this issue. “The outcome of this effort provides proof that when Catholics join together, we become a 2 louder, stronger voice with an increased ability to help pass laws that make New Jersey a better place for all who call it home.” The Fiscal Year 2024 state budget also contained modest increases in technology, nursing services, and compensatory education.