1792 individuals sent 5,445 messages to 99 legislators (66 Assembly members and 33 Senators)

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1 New Jersey Catholic Conference 149 North Warren Street Trenton, New Jersey To: Council of Catholic Superintendents Selected Members of the Advisory Committee Diocesan Network Directors Knights of Columbus Leadership Public Policy Committee From: George V. Corwell, Ed.D. Director: Office of Education Date: April 20, 2016 Re: Reminder about Alert of March 29, 2016 This is just a reminder to all to keep following the directions listed on the Alert issued on March 29, 2016 regarding the Fiscal Year 2017 State Budget. The old adage that legislators remember best what they hear last is quite true. For everyone s convenience, please disseminate information about the Voter Voice on the New Jersey Catholic Conference website - It makes it much easier to produce a large volume of responses. To date we have had the following results: 1792 individuals sent 5,445 messages to 99 legislators (66 Assembly members and 33 Senators) Breakdown by County Atlantic 270 Gloucester 672 Ocean 642 Bergen 15 Hudson 15 Passaic 138 Burlington 465 Hunterdon 6 Salem 12 Camden 978 Mercer 360 Somerset 12 Cape May 120 Middlesex 135 Sussex 6 Cumberland 108 Monmouth 1,428 Union 18 Essex 9 Morris 42 Warren 3 Let s target 10,000 responses next, and don t forget that for students/faculty visiting the capitol, bring letters to legislators. Thank you for your assistance and continuing cooperation. GVC:ac ed Communication Representing the Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Metuchen, Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Trenton, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic and Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese

2 New Jersey Catholic Conference 149 North Warren Street Trenton, New Jersey ISSUE: OUR POSITION: ACTION: The Governor s Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 contained a 6.8% funding cut in nonpublic school programs. Specifically, the cuts were made in security (the total elimination of the Nonpublic School Security Program), nursing services, and technology. The per-pupil amount for nonpublic school transportation remained frozen at $ an amount that has been frozen for nine years. The New Jersey Catholic Conference and the New Jersey Network of Catholic School Families strongly support the restoration of funding for nonpublic school students and their families. We join with other nonpublic school constituencies in our concern that there is a lack of parity between nonpublic school accounts and public school accounts in the Governor s Budget. We ask that between now and mid-june, all nonpublic school supporters reach out to members of the Legislature as noted in the Alert in order to remedy these inequities. Please enact the following steps in order to explain your position with regard to nonpublic school accounts: 1. Phone, , or meet with the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and Assembly Budget Committee with regard to the concerns that you have with the Budget. Please note that the Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, has been particularly sympathetic to the cause of nonpublic parents and students. 2. If your legislators are not one of the members of the Budget Committee, please phone, , or meet with them and ask that they relay your concerns to their colleagues on the appropriate Budget Committee. 3. For those who have had transportation problems in the last several years, please explain in detail the stories of how nonpublic transportation was affected in your district to your respective Senator and members of the Assembly. 4. Use the appropriate Fact Sheets as needed to explain the issue to legislators, particularly if they require more background information on the topic. 5. Please remind any legislators that increases for nonpublic school funding does NOT take away funding for public school students. You may use the New Jersey Catholic Conference Faith in Action - Voter Voice system which can be accessed at: Please continue to make these contacts during the time period between now and the end of June. Legislators on the Budget Committee will submit Budget modification requests prior to the passage of the Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year For questions on the issues, please feel free to contact Dr. George Corwell at ext 16 or gcorwell@njcathconf.com. Representing the Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Metuchen, Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Trenton, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic and Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese

3 Nonpublic School Transportation Fact Sheet Nonpublic school transportation is provided up to a statutory ceiling of $ per student. Public schools districts will typically use their own vehicles first for public school students, and then, if any vehicles and drivers are available will transport nonpublic school students. Thus the majority of nonpublic school transportation occurs through private contractors. Public school transportation has no per-pupil ceiling for transportation, although public school transportation costs less because students are generally located within a more concentrated geographical area. Therefore, the cost of the routes is less than those for nonpublic school students because transportation depends upon the number of miles traveled by the bus and the number of stops. Even though transportation costs should possibly decrease because of the dramatic drop in fuel costs, bus owners contend that rising costs for insurance and salaries (many contractors are using unionized workers) are the problem. A significant number of public school transportation coordinators have told our administrators and parents that the ceiling MUST be raised, or our students will not be able to receive transportation. Nonpublic schools have attempted a variety of options in order to maintain transportation within the $ per pupil ceiling. These include the following: o Centralized stops, o Changes in arrival and dismissal times in our schools, o Having routes bid at fewer than 180 days (i.e. 176, 175) in order to have transportation for student during the majority of days the school is in session. o Mixing public and nonpublic schools students on busses. We have run out of ideas in this regard. The only remaining solution is to raise the perpupil amount. The transportation statute authorizing the per-pupil amount calls for an annual increase, in direct proportion to the increase in the State transportation aid per pupil in the year prior to the prebudget year compared to the amount for the pre-budget year or by CPI, whichever is greater (N.J.S.A. 18A: 39-1a). Both the Corzine Administration and the Christie Administration have frozen this amount, thus ignoring the requirement for any annual increase. It is important for parents to tell their own frustrating stories of what has happened in recent years in their attempts to have their children transported to a nonpublic school. We recognize that some of the problems have been caused by a lack of knowledge/competency on the part of district personnel and a state-wide shortage of drivers and buses. The New Jersey Catholic Conference and others have been working to deal with some of those issues in a committee within the New Jersey Department of Education. However, the contrast between transporting public school students (some of them are neighbors of our children) and nonpublic school children needs to be described in real terms and in detail to the Legislature.

4 FACT SHEET/TALKING POINTS ON NONPUBLIC SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE Since school year, nonpublic schools have been included in a Budget appropriation for technology aid both equipment and the training of teachers in technology. Such a program was made available at the rate of $40.00 per student to public school students as well. Public school students still receive technology aid under a Budget appropriation, even though public school officials requested a broader use of the funds (i.e. the potential for using the money for other purposes). Our per-pupil amount has been reduced to $20.00 per pupil in the Governor s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget. Using these dollars for technology and training for teachers of technology is a wise investment for all citizens of New Jersey because it represents an opportunity for elementary and secondary students to receive state-of-the-art instruction on the skills necessary for success in the 21 st Century. In the last years of Governor Corzine s administration, the technology aid for nonpublic school students was completely eliminated from the Governor s Budget. Governor Christie s initial budgets followed the same path, while during the past year, the program was restored to a $32.00 per-pupil amount. We are asking that the original amount of $40.00 per pupil be restored in the Appropriations Act for the FY 17 Budget.. All technology equipment received for use with nonpublic school students remains the property of the public school district and is labeled accordingly. It would be helpful to provide the Governor with specific instances in which this aid has been used in the past to help students in the local school. The effort to increase the Nonpublic School Technology Initiative to its previous level of support can be made in various ways including class projects for letter writing and visits to appropriate legislators. Any trips to Trenton made between now and June by individual classes should include an opportunity to speak to legislators about the status of the Nonpublic School Technology Initiative.

5 FACT SHEET/TALKING POINTS ON NONPUBLIC SCHOOL NURSING SERVICES Nursing is a health and safety consideration which should be available with state funding for all students in both public and nonpublic schools. The health of nonpublic schools students is no less important that the health of public school students. The Legislature placed sufficient money in nursing services in the school year to bring the amount to $94.00 which would permit the increases in the CPI since the school year. The Governor s Budget eliminated those increases last year and this year and placed the per-pupil amount for nonpublic school nursing services at $ This amount is not enough to cover the cost of living increases which were included as a requirement in the original legislation. The money needs to be restored in order for the schools that were able to cover additional hours of nursing as a result of the increases last year will be able to retain those hours for their nurses. Nonpublic school students and their parents are held hostage with respect to the extent and nature of nursing services as a result of the cost stated by nursing services providers (e.g. districts or third party contractors including special services school districts, educations services commissions, or other private providers). These increases are also necessary to permit the required additional duties of school nurses as a result of legislation passed since the inception of the program. Such duties include the training of emergency personnel for such contingencies as the administration of epinephrine for anaphylactic shock, validation of medical records for a variety of potential medical conditions not anticipated in the 1991 legislation, as well as dealing with requirements for planning for students with diabetes, asthma, and other serious illnesses. THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO PASS REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL NURSING SERVICES WITHOUT FUNDING POTENTIAL COSTS OF THESE SERVICES. The cost of supplies needed by school nurses by schools continues to rise without any consideration of state funding for these increases. The cost of restoring these services would be minimal in the overall scheme of the State Budget. The effort to increase nonpublic school nursing services to its level of support in FY 15 can be made in various ways including class projects for letter writing and visits to appropriate legislators. Any trips to Trenton made between now and June by individual classes should include an opportunity to speak to legislators about the concerns of nursing services.

6 Talking Points on Nonpublic School Security Aid The Governor s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget completely eliminated the language authorizing the Nonpublic School Security Aid Program. In the FY 2016 Appropriations Act, the Legislature inserted Budget language (which has the force of law) appropriating $5.7 million to the nonpublic school community for security provisions. Unfortunately, the language also included a second sentence which diverted $2 million of the $5.7 million to Higher Education for an institution of higher education most in need of security provisions. Thus we received only $3.7 million ($25.00 per student). While the nonpublic school community did receive $25.00 per pupil, we believe that much more is necessary. The public school community has a Security Aid line item in the annual Governor s Fiscal Year 2017 of over $199 million (an increase in $4 million). Even though this account may be used for other purposes, if one were to divide the population of public school students into that amount, the result is $ per pupil for public school students. That amount is far above the $25.00 per pupil allotted to the nonpublic school students. Nonpublic school students face the same risks as the public school students in regard to safety. In many cases, religious schools are more often targets for security threats than their public school counterparts. Surrounding states have provided increasing amounts of money for security programs in public and nonpublic schools in recent Budget cycles. There is no reason why New Jersey should not continue to provide (and increase) funding for nonpublic schools students security. Please feel free to describe the effective use of this year s funding in your school community.

7 Gary S. Schaer, (D) Chair 1 Howe Avenue, Suite 302 Passaic, NJ (973) FAX: (973) AsmSchaer@njleg.org John J. Burzichelli (D) Vice-Chair 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400 West Deptford, NJ (856) FAX: (856) AsmBurzichelli@njleg.org Anthony M. Bucco (R) 1040 Route 10 West, Suite 104 Randolph, NJ (973) FAX: (973) AsmBucco@njleg.org John DiMaio (R) 245 Route 22 Bridgewater, NJ (908) FAX: (908) AsmDiMaio@njleg.org Gordon M. Johnson (D) 545 Cedar Lane Teaneck, NJ (201) FAX: (201) AsmJohnson@njleg.org John F. McKeon (D) 221 Main St. Madison, NJ (973) FAX: (973) AsmMcKeon@njleg.org ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Paterson PART OF BERGEN COUNTY: Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Rutherford, South Hackensack, Teterboro, Wallington, Wood-Ridge PART OF PASSAIC COUNTY: Passaic City Camden Diocese SALEM COUNTY: All PART OF CUMBERLAND COUNT: : Bridgeton, Deerfield and Upper Deerfield PART OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY: Clayton, East Greenwich, Elk, Franklin, Glassboro, Greenwich, Logan, National Park, Newfield, Paulsboro, South Harrison, Swedesboro, West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Woolwich Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Metuchen PART OF MORRIS COUNTY: Boonton, Boonton Twp, Chester, Chester Twp, Denville, Dover, Mendham, Mendham Twp, Mine Hill, Morris, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mountain Lakes, Netcong, Randolph, Rockaway, Roxbury, Victory Gardens, Washington, Wharton PART OF SOMERSET COUNTY: Bernardsville Diocese of Metuchen PART OF HUNTERDON: Alexandria, Bethlehem, Bloomsbury, Califon, Clinton, Clinton Twp., Franklin, Frenchtown, Glen Gardner, Hampton Boro, High Bridge, Holland, Kingwood, Lebanon Boro, Lebanon Twp., Milford, Tewksbury, Union Twp. PART OF SOMERSET COUNTY: Bedminster, Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Peapack-Gladstone, Raritan Twp., South Bound Brook WARREN COUNTY: Alpha, Franklin, Greenwich, Hackettstown, Harmony, Lopatcong, Mansfield, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong, Washington Boro, Washington Twp Archdiocese of Newark PART OF BERGEN COUNTY: Alpine, Bogota, Creskill, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Leonia, Northvale, Palisades Park, Rockleigh, Teaneck and Tenafly. Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Paterson PART OF ESSEX COUNTY: Caldwell, Essex Fells, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange, West Orange PART OF MORRIS COUNTY: Chatham Twp., East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Madison

8 Raj Mukherji (D) 433 Palisade Ave. Jersey City, NJ (201) FAX: Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D) 144 West State Street Trenton, NJ (609) FAX: (609) Declan Joseph O Scanlon, Jr. (R) 32 Monmouth Street, 3flr. Red Bank, NJ (732) FAX: (732) AsmOScanlon@njleg.org Elaina Pintor Marin (D) 263 Lafayette Street, 1 st. Floor (973) FAX (973) AswPintorMarin@njleg.org Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (R) 176 Route 70, Suite 13 Medford, NJ (609) FAX: (609) Asw@njleg.org Troy Singleton (D) 400 N. Church Street, Suite 260 Moorestown, NJ (856) FAX: (856) AsmSingleton@njleg.org Benjie Wimberly (D) Benjie E. Wimberly (D) 191 Market St., Paterson, NJ (973) AsmWimberly@njleg.org Archdiocese of Newark PART OF HUDSON COUNTY: Hoboken, part of Jersey City, Union, Weehawken Diocese of Metuchen, Diocese of Trenton PART OF HUNTERDON COUNTY: East Amwell, Lambertville City, West Amwell PART OF MERCER COUNTY: Ewing, Hopewell Boro. Hopewell Twp., Lawrence, Pennington, Trenton, West Windsor Diocese of Trenton PART OF MONMOUTH COUNTY: Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach Archdiocese of Newark ESSEX COUNTY: Belleville, Part of Newark Diocese of Trenton, Diocese of Camden PART OF BURLINGTON: Eastampton, Evesham, Hainesport, Lumberton, Mansfield, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Holly, Pemberton Boro, Pemberton Twp., Shamong, Southampton, Springfield, Westampton, Woodland PART OF CAMDEN COUNTY: Berlin Boro, Hammonton, Pine Hill, Pine Valley, Waterford Diocese of Trenton PART OF BURLINGTON COUNTY: Beverly City, Bordentown City, Bordentown Twp, Burlington City, Burlington Twp, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Edgewater Park, Fieldsboro, Florence, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton, Willingboro Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Paterson PART OF BERGEN COUNTY: Elmwood Park, Garfield PART OF PASSAIC COUNTY: Haledon, N. Haledon, Paterson, Prospect Park April 24, 2016