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providers so as to determine in detail their specific requirements and to formulate plans and applications reasonably geared to meet those needs and thereby assure that Abbott-quality preschool is available for all eligible children. In addition, the DOE must make assessments and ultimately assure that the districts are providing such programs. In order to properly undertake these tasks, the DOE must issue guidelines, probably in the form of detailed regulations, that advise districts and providers as to the information deemed necessary to allow for the districts and the DOE to adequately understand the needs and plan, fund and carry out the programs, as well as assess their adequacy and success. The exact details of what is necessary to do this must be left, in the first instance, to the DOE to determine.

7. Permanent-facility needs must be addressed through the EFCFA process. That process must of course allow for expeditious and well-reasoned determinations. The Department must address short-term facility needs immediately and fully, and determination as to the actual needs of the districts to allow for full implementation of the necessary programs must be based upon careful and detailed assessment of such needs. To the extent that there are disputes over the needs of specific districts, these must be determined on a case-by-case basis.

8. The dispute regarding Perth Amboy's claim to $2.6 million dollars that it contends was spent based upon specific DOE approval will be determined in a separate decision and counsel will be notified promptly of a date for conferencing that matter. Likewise, Vineland's claim for restitution of funds already spent will also be considered in a separate hearing

9. To the extent that the ELC or any districts seek to pursue any further specific funding issues or other matters regarding the 1999-2000 school year or the 2000-2001 school year, they may do so in the context of the unconsolidated portions of pending cases. Counsel shall assess their positions in light of this decision and shall notify the judge assigned to the relevant case within twenty (20) days as to their intentions. The filing of any new appeals regarding the 2001-2002 school year shall not