The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish criteria and make recommendations for designating school districts as School Development Authority (SDA) districts. It amends Section 3 of P.L.2000, c.72 to clarify that an SDA district is one that received education opportunity aid or preschool expansion aid during the 2007-2008 school year. If the Legislature approves a list of SDA districts submitted by the commissioner, any district included on that list will be recognized as an SDA district. This change aims to streamline the identification process for SDA districts, potentially enhancing resource allocation and support for school facilities projects.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by March 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Education must recommend criteria for economic and school facilities adequacy to designate SDA districts. Economic criteria may include factors like equalized valuation per resident pupil and district income per resident pupil, while school facilities adequacy criteria may address issues such as overcrowding and health and safety needs. Importantly, the bill ensures that any school district previously designated as an SDA district will continue to receive 100 percent State support for ongoing school facilities projects, even if it loses its SDA status after the bill's effective date. This provision protects districts from losing financial support for projects already in progress.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7G-3