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 impacted by 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 less than its adequacy budget, less than or equal to $19,000 per resident pupil, and either less than or equal to the total amount of State school aid allocated in the 2023-2024 school year or greater by up to $200,000. The aid amount for each eligible district will be calculated by multiplying $250 by the number of resident pupils.

This bill addresses the significant financial challenges faced by numerous school districts across New Jersey, which have led to severe cuts in educational services, including staff layoffs, reduced academic programming, and the elimination of extracurricular activities. The Emergency Supplemental Aid aims to stabilize the budgets of these districts, which include urban, suburban, and rural areas, ensuring that students receive a quality education despite the ongoing funding crisis. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.