This week, we are asking your help with an issue we are having in the state of New Jersey with private funding for school bus transportation. There is an $884 per child allowance for school transportation that has not increased in nine (9) years! This funding freeze has resulted in significant logistical and financial sadcrifices for families in our diocese, and with all children who attend non-public schools.
For schools that rely on public school buses, routes have been cancelled with minimal notice, or pick-up times have been assigned as early as 4:55 a.m. Some schools have been forced to lease buses from private busing companies at a cost that exceeds the $884 ceiling, placing additional financial burden on schools and/or families.
Transportation challenges have forced many families to withdraw from non-public schools. If these students move to public schools, the annual cost to taxpayers is $19,000/student. The cost to transport a non-public school child is a mere fraction of that cost.
Please write to our governor, senators, and congressman at the addresses below and ask them to support an increase in the $884 ceiling in 2017 so non-public school families can continue to attend the school of their choice.
Governor Chris Christie
Office of Governor
P. O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
Senator James Whelan &
Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo
507 Tilton Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
Assemblyman Chris Brown
2021 New Road, Suite 24
Linwood, NJ 08221
Thank you so much for your help with this important issue!