WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4865

Requires extraordinary special education aid to school districts for students with costs over $55,000 to be assessed and levied by county in which school district is located.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese

The bill would have counties assess and levy the portion of extraordinary special education costs above $55,000 per student instead of local school districts.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4865

Bill Summary – A 4865 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Title

Requires extraordinary special education aid to school districts for students with costs over $55,000 to be assessed and levied by the county in which the school district is located.

Purpose and Intent

This bill aims to modify the funding mechanism for extraordinary special education aid when the per-student cost exceeds a specified threshold. Specifically, it seeks to shift or distribute accountability and funding responsibility for the portion of extraordinary special education costs above $55,000 per student to the county in which the school district is located. The goal appears to provide a centralized or regionalized method for determining and collecting these high-cost special education expenses, potentially reducing local district financial burden and creating a standardized assessment approach.

Key Provisions (as described in the bill title and summary)

  • Threshold for Extraordinary Costs: Applies to special education costs that exceed $55,000 per student.
  • Funding Assessment/Levies: The part of the extraordinary cost above the $55,000 threshold would be assessed and levied by the county in which the school district is located.
  • Jurisdiction: The county government (not the individual school district) would handle the assessment and levy process for these excess costs.
  • Scope: Targets school districts within New Jersey and concerns the funding mechanism for high-cost special education placements or services.

Who/What is Affected

  • School Districts: Local districts would be impacted by changes to how extraordinary special education costs are funded beyond the $55,000 threshold.
  • Counties: County governments would take on the assessment and levy responsibility for the excess costs, shifting some fiscal duties away from individual districts.
  • Students with High-Cost Services: Students whose special education needs require expenditures above the $55,000 threshold could be affected indirectly by changes in how funding responsibilities are distributed.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: May 4, 2026.
  • Referral: Assembly Education Committee.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsor Clinton Calabrese.
  • Lifecycle: As of the provided information, the bill is in the early stage of the legislative process (introduce and committee referral). No final passage or enactment dates are available in the current summary.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Fiscal Impact on Districts: May alleviate some local budget pressure for extraordinarily costly cases, depending on how the county assessment interacts with existing aid and accountability structures.
  • County Role and Capacity: Requires county-level administration of assessments and levies, which could necessitate administrative processes, funding formulas, and oversight mechanisms at the county level.
  • Equity and Regionalization: The bill’s approach could promote regional consistency in funding for high-cost special education, but may raise questions about variations in county financing capacity and local needs.
  • Implementation Timeline: Absent text on effective dates or transition provisions, implementation would depend on subsequent committee action, potential amendments, and eventual enactment.

This summary reflects the bill’s stated focus on extraordinary special education costs above $55,000 and assigns the related assessment and levy to the county where the district is located. For a precise understanding, review of the bill’s full text, including definitions, formulas, transition provisions, and any fiscal notes, will be necessary as the legislative process progresses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.