S1762

Senator Bob Gordon, D-Bergen, listens to testimony before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee regarding services for people with developmental disabilities.

13 Sep: Gordon Measure To Ease Unfunded Mandate On School Districts Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon that will shield public school districts from having to assume the special education costs for out-of-state students enrolled in private schools within the district was signed into law last week by Governor Christie.

“When a school district is doing its due diligence under federal special education law, the State should step up to meet the district halfway,” said Sen. Gordon, D-Bergen. “However, for years the State Department of Education has denied districts funding for special ed evaluations that districts are required to perform under federal mandates. This new law introduces a little more fairness into the process, and requires the State to act as good-faith partners with local school districts to make sure that students get the education they need.”

03 Jun: Gordon/Wagner Measure To Ease Unfunded Mandate On School Districts Moves Forward In Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon that would shield public school districts from having to assume the special education costs for out-of-state students enrolled in private schools within the district was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“This bill will provide much-needed relief to school districts handcuffed by Byzantine education laws,” said Sen. Gordon (D-Bergen). “School districts are already hard-pressed financially given the dramatic cuts in state aid. To allow this law to remain on the books, as is, amounts to a sizeable unfunded mandate during a time when many districts can least afford it.”