The S2 Appropriations Rescue Act proposes an appropriation of $106.5 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the New Jersey Department of Education to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to specific school districts adversely affected by budgetary constraints, particularly those stemming from the impacts of P.L.2018, c.67. To qualify for this aid, a school district must have received a total amount of State school aid in the 2024-2025 school year that is both less than its adequacy budget and less than or equal to $19,000 per resident pupil. Additionally, the district must either have received less State school aid in the 2023-2024 school year or have received an increase of up to $200,000 compared to that year.

The bill outlines that the amount of Emergency Supplemental Aid for each eligible district will be calculated by multiplying $250 by the number of resident pupils. This funding aims to address the financial challenges faced by numerous school districts across New Jersey, which have resulted in significant cuts to educational programs, staff layoffs, and other detrimental effects on student learning. The bill seeks to provide immediate financial relief to stabilize the budgets of these districts, ensuring that students continue to receive a quality education despite the ongoing funding crisis.