Many Poor Schools in New Jersey are Overcrowded

Two-thirds of low-income school districts in New Jersey don't have adequate space to serve their students, according to a report by the NJ Department of Education (DOE). 

The state is required to fix and build new schools in districts that serve a large number of poor children following the landmark New Jersey State Supreme Court case Abbott v. Burke in 1985. When Gov. Chris Christie took office in 2010 he froze spending by the School Development Authority, which funds and manages the construction and renovation projects. 

"The current administration has dragged its feet on school facilities, forcing unnecessary litigation about basic elements of the school construction program," said Theresa Luhm, ELC attorney. "But we expect that the new administration will see this program as a sound investment for both our children's futures and for our workforce."

Luhm said many schools don't have enough space for music, art or science classes. 

The DOE is required to conduct this analysis every five years under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, which established New Jersey's current school construction program. The purpose is to assess major construction projects based on educational need.

The report was completed by the state in May of 2016. But Luhm said the Education Law Center had to threaten to sue the Christie Administration to get the report turned over to them 17 months later. 

"The report makes clear the enormous unmet needs in the SDA districts, and the continued failure of the current administration to address overcrowding and educational adequacy," said Jerell Blakeley, campaign organizer with the NJ Work Environment Council and coordinator of the Healthy Schools Now campaign.

"We call on the new governor and legislature to make additional funding for school facilities a priority when they take office in January."