Senate Hearing In coming weeks the state Legislature will continue its deliberations on potential reforms to the school funding formula, by holding several public hearings on the issue. Two such hearings are currently scheduled and are open to any member of the public who wishes to testify.

On Friday, Jan. 27, the “Senate Select Committee on School Funding Fairness” will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. at Kingsway Regional High School, Cafeteria East, 201 Kings Highway, Woolwich Township, New Jersey. The committee will receive testimony from invited guests and from members of the public on inequities in school funding. Additional hearings will be held throughout the state, but the dates and times have not yet been announced.

The creation of this committee was authorized by the Senate’s approval of SR-100 earlier this month. Chaired by Senate President Steve Sweeney and co-chaired by Republican Senator Joseph Pennacchio, the eight-person committee will consist of four Democratic senators and four Republican senators. The bipartisan commission is charged with examining the state’s school funding system and to recommend any necessary reforms.

Assembly Hearing The Assembly Education Committee has announced its second public hearing on school funding. It will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The location will be the Bergen County Administration Building, Freeholder Public Meeting Room, 5th Floor, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack. The committee will receive testimony from members of the public regarding the “School Funding Reform Act of 2008” and other matters related to education funding in the state.

The committee held its first public hearing on school funding at the State House in Trenton on Jan. 18. The NJSBA testified at that hearing, as did representatives of other educational organizations. In addition to the Feb. 1 public hearing, the committee is expected to hold two more in the near future, one each in the central and southern regions of the state.

Registration Info Any individuals wishing to testify at either the Senate or Assembly hearings should register with the Office of Legislative Services at (609) 847-3850 and should submit 15 copies of written testimony on the day of the hearing. Oral testimony will be limited to three minutes. Persons who are not presenting oral testimony may submit 15 copies of written testimony for consideration by the committee and inclusion in the record.