This publication was released in October 1997 by the Public Affairs Research Institute of New Jersey, Inc. and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Joan Ponessa is presently the Director of Research at the Education Law Center and James Nichols, RA who was the Director of the Office of Policy Research and Data in the Facilities Division of the New Jersey Department of Education from 1998 to 2000 is at Thomas Associates, Princeton. Because the information contained in this publication provides significant background for understanding state policy on school facilities, ELC has made it available here.

   Please note that some major changes have occurred since the release of this publication:

• The New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott V, May 1998, ruled that the State must fully fund all renovations and new construction needed in the Abbott districts.
• The Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act which provided up to $6 billion for Abbott school facilities and $2.6 billion for non-Abbott districts was enacted on July 18, 2000.
• All school districts in New Jersey have completed assessments of the physical conditions in school buildings, educational programs, and enrollment projections. These assessments and plans for necessary improvements are called the Long Range Facilities Plans (LRFPs). The LRFPs constitute a more comprehensive approach to planning than the previously required Long Range Facilities Master Plans as outlined in this publication.
• The New Jersey Department of Education has now changed its policy on old school buildings. In 1997, the DOE was proposing funding formulas that discouraged salvaging older structures. Now the DOE is encouraging renovation over new construction and is requiring a thorough evaluation of older historic and landmark buildings.

"A School Facilities: A Challenge For New Jersey"

A Challenge for New Jersey files in pdf format, click here