Photo by James A. McBride
Months of letter writing, emailing and calling have paid off for students in South Jersey Catholic Schools. The 2018 New Jersey state budget includes increased funding for transportation and school security — non-academic services essential to students in all schools.
“We’re hoping the increased allotment will improve access to bus transportation for more students in the coming school year and beyond,” said Sister Rose DiFluri, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Camden.
The per-pupil allotment has increased for the first time in 10 years — from $884 to $1,000. Over the last several years, many school districts have been forced to cancel bus routes because of insufficient funding, leaving Catholic and other non-public school families to fend for themselves.
Collective voices were raised with a back-to school letter writing campaign and continued through the 2016-17 school year with emails through a Voter Voice link set up by the New Jersey Catholic Conference.
“Additional funds have been allocated to our students because of grassroots efforts by parents, teachers, school administrators and other people who care about Catholic education,” said Sister Rose.
“Last fall, we had students sorting 30,000 letters into piles and envelopes for delivery to assembly members, senators and Gov. Christie. Now those students get to see what can happen when people work together for change.”
Sister Rose also acknowledged the increased allotment for security-related expenses.
“The governor’s initial budget actually eliminated security funding,” she said. “The $75 per pupil allotment will enable our schools to continue and complete projects that are underway. All students need to be safe no matter where they go to school.”
The 2017-18 budget includes modest increases in the per-student allotment for nursing services, technology and textbooks as well.
“We have about 12,000 students in our diocesan and private Catholic schools, saving taxpayers approximately $228 million a year. Providing our students with funding for essential services is nothing compared with what it would cost the state to educate them,” concluded Sister Rose.
Mary Beth Peabody is Communications and Marketing Manager, Office of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Camden.
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